Centuries ago the advent of artillery weapons particularly, cannons of different shapes and sizes and their growth and production of the needed gun powder in India had added not only a new dimension to warring kingdoms but also changed the landscape of the regions in the subcontinent. Because of its destructive power more and more kingdoms opted for the introduction of better artillery troops in the military. Artillery are ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearm In the early period artillery weapons had limitations and were used to breach defensive walls and fortifications during sieges, and led to heavy, fairly immobile sieges. The production of cannon was on the increase in the later half of the 15th century along with it came different casting techniques, design and construction of forge-welded iron cannons, bronze cannons, etc.
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| 14th CE Mendha tope (Cannon) Daulatabad, MH./commons.wikimedia.org |
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| bronze Mendha tope at Daulatabad, Aurangabad,MH reddit.com |
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| 14th CE Mendha tope (Cannon) Daulatabad, MH. alamy.com |
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| Rajagopala or Tanjore cannon, Thanjavur, TN en.wikipedia.org |
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| parts of a cannon.bronzecannons.net |
Prior to the 15th century the Daulatabad Fort (also known as Devagiri), a 14th-century structure on a hill in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra had as many as 288 heavy cannons, each with different size, fire power and and various projectile range. The cannon can be moved round on a metal pivot and target the object.
Two types of cannons were widely used across India cast-bronze cannon and the other one is wrought-iron cannon composed of iron bars hooped together by iron rings. Gunpowder artillery was common also in South India in the 14th century. With the arrival of Portuguese in 1498 and later the introduction of more artillery weapons by Akbar 1in the 1500s had changed the military strategy of many kingdoms. However, the arrival of Ottoman technology and numerous specialists had a far reaching impact on the production of Indian cannons and guns with better mechanism. It was a turning point in the history of Cannon and the Mogul dynasty had relied on it on their war expeditions.
Part of the Deccan region was under the control of 4 sultanates - Golconda, Bidar, Belapur, Ahmednagar and to meet their threats, Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara also developed equally effective and well trained artillery regiments as part of his huge army. Unfortunately Vijayaragara empire led by Ramaraya was defeated by the allied army of Decani sultanates in The battle of Talikota (January, 1565).
In the wake of the fall of Vijayanagara kingdom, the Madurai Nayak and Thanjavur Nayak dynasties (of Tamil Nadu), once the vassals of Vijayanagara became independent rulers of respective regions. With threats from enemies around, they began to strengthen their artillery regiment and the weapons of different kinds
Thanjavur Nayaks had employed trained artisans specialized in Cannon making, etc., for offensive and defensive purposes. They had good knowledge of fabrication of cannon making with well designed chamber, barrel and muzzle and of metallurgy and mechanism. This post just compares the capability of Mendha tope cannon made by Aurangzeb and the Rajagopala cannon (Beerangi) of Thanjavur, TN, made by king Ragunatha Nayak in 1620.
Among cannons of the Daulatabad Fort, the Mendha Tope gets the attention of the research scholars and metallurgical engineers. who have studied the chemical composition of the alloys, medieval cannon production techniques and their mechanism of transport, etc., to higher grounds, etc.
The Mendha tope (Ram Cannon) originally known as Qila Shikan (Breaker of Forts) as the cascabel (rear end) is in the form of a ram. (in the Marathi language'' Mendha'' means ram and ''Tope'' means cannon).
Cast in bronze, the 14 ton cannon measures 5.30 m in length. The caliber of the cannon is 20 cm, which can easily hurl a heavy shot< Firing range is about 9 km. Then 2nd largest gun in the world.
Once fixed on the platform rotation in any desired direction is possible because pivot is provided at the center of the platform
This cannon belongs to Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (1658 - 1707 A.D.) as revealed by the inscription. From the other inscription we understand that Muhammad Hussain Arab was the one who made it. It is said it was cast in Afghanistan. .
The cannon is cast with a mechanism (could be double walled?), because it has the capability to withstand shocks after firing. The shock-absorbing mechanism indicates growing research in advanced cannon technology to meet future challenges.
The rear part of the gun is firmly closed and strengthened to contain gunpowder explosion. Both the barrel and the chamber are made of special alloy of metals with sufficient ring assembles to add extra strength to them.to bear lateral stress caused by exhaust gases upon firing.
Unlike Mendha Tope specially made for Mogul the ruler, its weight is 14 ton and could be transported from one place to another while on war campaigns. The Rajagopal Cannon is a very heavy one and was used only to defend the fort, etc. It could not be taken to the battle fields because of its weight
The Mendha tope is made of an alloy of 5 metals (Panchadatu) and the proportion of copper is much higher than others . This bronze cannon is fit for all weather conditions when invading enemies in other regions. But the Nayak cannon is made of forge-welded iron metal with minor amount of other metals with numerous ring assemblies.
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| Aurangabad city MH allindiatravelinfo.com |
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| Tanjore cannon thanjaimainthan.blogspot.com |
The Thanjavur Nayak cannon at Rajagopala Beerangi Medu placed atop a remnant of the Nayak fort on the East Rampart was meant for defensive purpose. The Nayaks also had many cannons of different caliber for offensive and defensive moves.
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| Tanjore cannon or Rajagopala Cannon, Thanjavur. twitter.com |
Tanjore cannon is a big and heavy one weighing 22- 26 ton (biggest in south India) measuring roughly 25ft. (outer diameter 37 inches; inner diameter 25 inches). Supposedly one of the heaviest cannons (ranked 5th) in the world then and capable of firing 100 kg cannon ball.
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| 1620 CE Tanjore or Rajagopala cannon, TN researchgate.net |
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| Rajagopala (tanjore) canon, TN.tamil.abplive.com |
The powerful Rajagopala cannon was made locally either cast at Kollumedu near Thanjavur or in the Manojipatti, village near Thanjavur, famous for iron working. t accordingly
The Rajagopal Cannon does not have shock absorbing mechanism as Mendha Tope does. Like Mendha tope cannon it can be rotated sideways on an iron pivot fixed on the platform.
Tanjore cannon differs from Mendha Tope in its metal composition consisting mostly of forge- welded iron. Fabrication of the cannon was done forging together of rings assemblies of welded iron) to join the different layers of ring.
So in Tanjore cannon both the barrel and the chamber are well secured against heavy explosion and lateral stress caused by heavy gas exhausts after firing. The rear end is also safeguarded against the impact of explosion after firing
Both cannons of Tanjore and that of Aurangzeb have well-strengthened muzzle (opening at the other end) to withstand the fire and fast flying projectile.
In the case of Nayak cannons, Research workers mention that advance technique was employed to fabricate the cannon with a special alloy of metals,
Both cannons at Thanjavur and Daulatabad fort are rust proof, despite their age, This shows the Indian subcontinent had a better knowledge of artillery weapons manufacturing techniques far before the arrival of Europeans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanjavur_cannon
https://www.navrangindia.in/2023/11/thanjavur-forge-welded-iron-cannon.html
https://www.flickr.com/photos/siddharthx/36962735633
https://www.navrangindia.in/2020/12/mendha-tope-cannon-and-historical.html
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 of Daulatabad fort, Aurangabad (MH) - a brief comparison.){kind=link}