Artillery in India: Malik-E-Maidan, Kadak Bijli, Daulatabad, and Thanjavur

Malik-E-Maidan

(Pintrest Photo)

The Malik-E-Maidan also Malik-i-Maidan (lit. 'Lord of the Battlefield'), is a 16th century cannon, located at Burj-E-Sherz (Lion Tower), Bijapur Fort, Bijapur, India. 4.45 metres (14.6 ft) in length and cast in bell metal, it is the largest surviving block of artillery from the Medieval period.

A bronze basilisk/shaika siege cannon cast by the Ottoman artillery master Muhammed Bin Hussein Rumi, sent during the reign of Sultan Burhan Nizam Shah I (1549) in Bijapur Fort in India. It weighs approximately 5.5 tons, is 4.2 m long and 70 cm in diameter. This cannon is one of the indicators of the cannon casting ability of the mid-16th century, as well as how artistic additions could be made when there were no restrictions. The figure embossed on the front of the cannon barrel shows a lion with its mouth open swallowing an elephant. Aside from the symbolic values ​​it carries, such decorations on these cannons are designed to accompany the myths they are attributed to. When we imagine a marble cannonball weighing hundreds of kilos emerging from this barrel with flames behind it, it becomes clearer why the cannon is likened to a dragon or sa’ika. (Okay Sütçüoğlu)

Sultan Burhan Nizam Shah I of Ahmednagar presented the cannon to his son-in-law, Sultan Ali Adil Shah I of Bijapur. In 1565, the cannon was used in the Battle of Talikota by the Bijapur Sultan Ali Adil Shah I, attacking Aliya Rama Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire as part of the combined Deccan Sultanates force. After the victory of the Deccan Sultanates the cannon was named Malik-i-Maidan. At some point in the next 59 years, control of the cannon was transferred from the Bijapur Sultanate to the Ahmadnagar Sultanate.In 1625, Prime Minister Malik Amber of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate transported the Malik–i-Maidan with the help of trained war elephants from Daulatabad Fort south to Sholapur, as part of his invasion of the Bijapur Sultanate. He would later transport the cannon north again, as he retreated after unsuccessfully besieging of the city of Bijapur, and subsequently used it in the Battle of Bhatvadi against the Mughals and Bijapur Sultanate.The cannon, among the world's largest in its category, was attempted to be moved to Great Britain by the East India Company as a war trophy, but due to its huge size and un-conditioned transport infrastructure the cannon could not be transported. (Wikipedia)

The Malik-e-Maidan is made of bell metal, measuring 4.45 metres (14.6 ft) in length. The muzzle gauge is 700 millimetres (28 in) and 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) in overall diameter, weighing 55 tons. According to legend, the cannonball could travel up to 500 metres (1,600 ft). The cannon's muzzle is decorated with a low relief of the head of a lion with its jaws open, swallowing an elephant. Three inscriptions can be found on the cannon, of which two were inscribed during Burhan Nizam Shah I of Ahmednagar as per the inscriptions. It was cast at Ahmadnagar from bell metal by Muhammad Bin Husain Rumi in 1549. The third inscription was added by Aurangzeb when he conquered Bijapur in 1685–86. (Wikipedia)

(Wikimedia Commons Photo)

Malik-E-Maidan cannon in 1880.

(Rana Safvi Photo)

Malik-E-Maidan cannon.

(Mark Griffin Photo)

Malik-E-Maidan cannon, top view.

(Pinakpani Photo)

Cannon, 5.50m X 1,80m, diameter .60m.

Kadak Bijli, the cannon in Jhansi fort in Uttar Pradesh

Jhansi Fort or Jhansi ka Qila is a fortress situated on a large hilltop called Bangira, in Uttar Pradesh. It served as a stronghold of the Karhade Brahmin Kings in Balwant Nagar (old name of Jhansi) from the 11th through the 17th century. (Wikipedia)

Daulatabad Fort, Aurangabad

Daulatabad Fort, originally Deogiri Fort, is a historic fortified citadel located in Daulatabad village near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, India. It was the capital of the Yadavas (9th century – 14th century CE), for a brief time the capital of the Delhi Sultanate (1327–1334), and later a secondary capital of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate (1499–1636). Around the 6th century CE, Devagiri emerged as an important uplands town near present-day Aurangabad, along caravan routes going towards western and southern India. The historical triangular fortress in the city was initially built around 1187 by the first Yadava monarch, Bhillama V. In 1308, the city was annexed by Alauddin Khalji of the Delhi Sultanate, which ruled over some parts of the northern India. In 1327, Muhammad bin Tughluq of the Delhi Sultanate renamed the city Daulatabad and shifted his imperial capital to the city from Delhi, ordering a mass migration of Delhi's population to the now Daulatabad. However, Muhammad bin Tughluq reversed his decision in 1334 and the capital of the Delhi Sultanate was shifted back to Delhi. In 1499, Daulatabad became part of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, who used it as their secondary capital. In 1610, near Daulatabad Fort, the new city of Aurangabad, then named Khadki, was established to serve as the capital of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate by the Ethiopian military leader Malik Ambar, who was brought to India as a slave but rose to become a popular Prime Minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. Most of the present-day fortifications at Daulatabad Fort were constructed under the Ahmadnagar Sultanate.

Daulatabad Fort is surrounded by a moat (Khandak) which was filled with water. In ancient times. Crocodiles were said to have been kept in the moat for protection from enemy attacks.The area of the city the hill-fortress of Devagiri (sometimes Latinised to Deogiri). It stands on a conical hill, about 200 meters high. Much of the lower slopes of the hill has been cut away by Yadava dynasty rulers to leave 50-meter vertical sides to improve defenses. The only means of access to the summit is by a narrow bridge, with the passage for not more than two people abreast, and a long gallery, excavated in the rock, which has, for the most part, a very gradual upward slope. About midway along this gallery, the access gallery has steep stairs, the top of which is covered by a grating intended to form the hearth of a huge fire kept burning by the garrison above in times of war. At the summit, and at intervals on the slope, are specimens of massive old cannon facing out over the surrounding countryside. Also at the midway, there is a cave entrance meant to confuse the enemies.

The fort had the following specialties which are listed along with their advantages: There is no separate exit from the fort, only one entrance/exit. This was designed to confuse the enemy soldiers to drive deep into the fort in search of an exit, at their own peril. There are no parallel gates. This was designed to break the momentum of the invading army. Also, the flag mast is on the left hill, which the enemy would try to capture, this would draw them to turn left. The real gates of the fort are on the right and there are false ones on the left, thus confusing the enemy. Spikes are mounted on the gates. In the era before gunpowder, intoxicated war elephants were used as battering rams to break open the gates. The presence of spikes ensured that the elephants died of injury. There is a complex arrangement of entryways, curved walls, and false doors. These are designed to confuse the enemy. The false, but well-designed gates on the left side lured the enemy soldiers in and trapped them inside, eventually feeding them to crocodiles.The hill is shaped to discourage climbing, though historical sources on its specific design features are unclear. (Wikipedia)

(MingeTheMerciless Photo)

Cannon preserved in the Daulatabad Fort.

(Sudipta Nandy Photo)

(Vinayaraj Photo)

(Vinayaraj Photo)

(Vinayaraj Photo)

Cannon inside the Daulatabad Fort.

(Udaykumar PR Photo)

(Udaykumar PR Photo)

(Udaykumar PR Photo)

(Udaykumar PR Photo)

(Dinesh Valke Photo)

(Vinayaraj Photos)

Cannon inside the Daulatabad Fort.

Thanjavur Cannon

(B Jambulingam Photo)

Cannon at Thanjavur

Thanjavur cannon also known as the Rajagopala Beerangi, played a crucial role in defending Thanjavur during the Nayak period. In 1650, it was used to protect the town from enemies attempting to breach the East Gate.The cannon was made with advanced iron and steel technology of ancient and medieval India. It is one of the largest forge-welded iron cannons in the world, ranking fourth among the largest cannons ever fired in history.

It was made with cutting-edge technology of its time. The high standard of iron and steel technology in ancient and medieval India is reflected in the manufacture and use of numerous large iron objects, including forge-welded cannons. Such cannons are found in Murshidabad, Dacca (in Bangladesh), Bijapur, Gulbarga, and Thanjavur. Based on its weight and size, the cannon at Thanjavur is regarded as one of the largest forge-welded iron cannons in the world. It takes fourth place in the list of Largest Cannons fired in the World History. It was named "Rajagopala Beerangi (Cannon)", but is popularly known as "Daasimettu Beerangi". It is placed on an elevated (25’high) defense barricade at the Eastern Rampart.

The cannon was cast in 1620 at Kollumedu. The metallurgical skills displayed speak volumes of the people in 17th century. It is said that Tamils' technical know how was used to cast the cannon. It was mounted in 1620 CE when Raghunatha Nayak ruled Thanjavur. The over 400 year-old cannon, though exposed to sun and rain, has not rusted so far. It is 26 feet long and weighs 20 tonnes. It is forge welded and has not been made by casting. Its outer circle is 300 cm in diameter, while the inner circle is 150 cm in diameter. The inside of the barrel is made of 43 long iron plates and the outer of 94 iron rings. To lift the cannon, eight rings were attached on top, but only two survive today. It can fire a 1000 kg iron cannonball.

This cannon was used in 1650 during the Nayak period to protect Thanjavur from enemies entering through the East Gate of the town. From the site, one can see the Sarja madi (seven-floor structure) and the Arsenal tower of Nayak Palace on the western side. (Wikipedia)

(1858 Postcard Photo)

Cannon at Thanjavur

(Rajagopala Beerangi Photo)

Cannon at Thanjavur