The Dalmadal Cannon, also known as the Dal Madal Kaman, was built under the orders of Raja Gopal Singha in 1742 at the cost of Rs. 1.25 lakh, an enormous sum for the time.[5] The blacksmith Jagannath Karmakar forged the cannon, which weighs approximately 296 maunds (around 11,840 kg) and has a length of 3.8 meters. The cannon's body was constructed by connecting 63 iron rings together, giving it a rust-proof finish. Its impressive size is marked by a circumference of 6'10" in the middle and front and 8'3.5" at the rear.[6][3]
| Dalmadal Cannon | |
|---|---|
 The historic Dalmadal Cannon located in Bishnupur, West Bengal, India. | |
| Type | Cannon |
| Place of origin | Mallabhum, West Bengal, India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 18th century |
| Used by | Malla Dynasty |
| Wars | Defense against Maratha invasions[1] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Jagannath Karmakar[2] |
| Designed | 1742 |
| Unit cost | Rs. 1.25 lakh[2] (historical) |
| Produced | 1742 [3] |
| No. built | 1 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 12 MT (296 maund)[3] |
| Length | 3.8 m (12 ft) |
| Diameter | 28.5 cm (285 mm)[4] |
| Barrels | 1 |
| Carriage | Masonry platform |
Design and Features
editThe Dalmadal Cannon is designed with an opening for inserting gunpowder, located on the upper rear section. A small square groove, known as the Ranjakghar, was used to ignite the cannon by filling it with gunpowder.[7][3] The middle section of the cannon is fitted with two iron sticks, each about 6 feet long and 4 feet in circumference, that were used to connect it to two iron wheels.[8]
Legend and Myth
editA popular local legend surrounds the Dalmadal Cannon, claiming that it was miraculously fired by Lord Madan Mohan, the tutelary deity of the Malla kings, to protect Bishnupur from the Maratha invader Bhaskar Rao.[9] According to the myth, during a Maratha attack, Lord Madan Mohan himself operated the cannon, causing the invaders to retreat.[10] This divine intervention story has become a cherished part of Bishnupur's cultural lore.
Tourism and Cultural Importance
editThe Dalmadal Cannon is part of Bishnupur's rich cultural landscape, which includes numerous UNESCO-listed terracotta temples.[11] Over the years, the cannon has become a focal point for tourists interested in the military history of the Malla dynasty. The site can be visited year-round, and entry is free. It forms a central piece in Bishnupur's historical tourism circuit, which includes notable sites like the Rasmancha and Madanmohan Temple.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Sengupta, Kaustubh Mani; Das, Tista, eds. (12 August 2021). Rethinking the Local in Indian History: Perspectives from Southern Bengal. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781000425529. LCCN 2021007732.
Narrating the legend of Madanmohan, the patron god of Bishnupur, who assumed human form and fired the famous Dalmadal Cannon to oust the bargis (Maratha invaders), she argues that divine myths have deep cultural roots that influenced the production of local histories.
- ^ a b Chatterjee, Annesha (27 June 2019). "Bengal's artillery". The Statesman (India). Kolkata. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
Jagannath Karmakar, an experienced blacksmith and engineer from the district of Bishnupur was the principle man behind the manufacture of the cannon. Iron was the principle metal used in the casting. It should be mentioned that though the canon remained in an open area for a considerable amount of time, yet no rust or destructive modifications appeared on the body of the cannon. The canon being 12-feet in length and 5972 kilograms in weight is much wider than the Jahan Kosha cannon.
- ^ a b c d Sengupta, Kaustubh Mani; Das, Tista, eds. (2009). Heritage Tourism: An Anthropological Journey to Bishnupur. Mittal Publications. p. 55. ISBN 9788183242943. LCCN 2009310777.
- ^ Marriott, Leo; Forty, Simon (2017). "Indian 16th century cannon". Heavyweights: The Military Use of Massive Weapons. Book Sales. p. 53. ISBN 9780785835493.
- ^ Bhattacharya, Snigdhendu (3 March 2018). "Encroachments ruin Bishnupur's chance of making it to the World Heritage List". Hindustan Times. Bishnupur. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Sengupta, Somen (15 March 2023). "Every cannon scripts the scientific advancement of its time: Amitabha Karkun". The Telegraph (India). Kolkata. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Basu, Anasuya (20 September 2020). "The evidence of guns that smoke no more". The Telegraph (India). Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ Griffiths, Walter G.; Bagchi, K. N. (1947). Introducing India. Vol. 1. Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal. p. 72.
- ^ "Bishnupur: A magnolious bequest in West Bengal". The Sunday Guardian. 17 May 202. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Dalmadal Gun and the platform on which it is mounted". asikolkata.in. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Temples at Bishnupur, West Bengal". UNESCO. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Dalmadal Canon". bankuratourism.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
External links
edit
Media related to Dalmadal Cannon at Wikimedia Commons
