Template:Infobox weapon
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.[1] 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.[2][3]
Design and Features
The 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.[4][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.[5]
Legend and Myth
A 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.[6] According to the myth, during a Maratha attack, Lord Madan Mohan himself operated the cannon, causing the invaders to retreat.[7] This divine intervention story has become a cherished part of Bishnupur's cultural lore.
Tourism and Cultural Importance
The Dalmadal Cannon is part of Bishnupur's rich cultural landscape, which includes numerous UNESCO-listed terracotta temples.[8] 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.[9]
See also
References
- ↑ Encroachments ruin Bishnupur's chance of making it to the World Heritage List. Hindustan Times(3 March 2018). Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ↑ Every cannon scripts the scientific advancement of its time: Amitabha Karkun. The Telegraph (India)(15 March 2023). Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddetails - ↑ The evidence of guns that smoke no more. The Telegraph (India)(20 September 2020). Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ↑ Introducing India{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal(1947)
- ↑ Bishnupur: A magnolious bequest in West Bengal(17 May 202). Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ↑ Dalmadal Gun and the platform on which it is mounted. asikolkata.in. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ↑ Temples at Bishnupur, West Bengal. UNESCO. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ↑ Dalmadal Canon. bankuratourism.com. Retrieved 28 September 2024.