The Jaivana cannon, at the time of its manufacture in 1720, was the world's largest cannon on wheels ever built in the early Modern Era. Located at the well-known Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, it was cast in 1720, during the reign of Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II (1699–1743) of Jaipur. Jaivana, is, no doubt, the biggest attraction of this fort. Without wheels the Bara Gazi Toph (cannon) built by the Bahmani ruler at Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) Fort is believed to the longest one in the world and its presence in the historic fort was discovered a few years ago. In terms of length without wheels, the Nizamabad cannon is the third longest one measuring 23 feet.
Since Jaipur is not that far from Delhi (just 150 miles) and also from NW provinces, considering its strategic location it was vulnerable to attack by enemy rulers all around. Being smart and intelligent, besides being a visionary Sawai Jai Singh II had a cordial relationship with the Mogul rulers. However, to defend his kingdom and his people, for safety considerations, he focused his attention on the further development of the cannon foundry here. This foundry had been there in Jaigarh fort since the time of Mogul ruler Shah Jahan and it is believed to have been one of the
world's most efficient and prolific cannon foundries. It became a major cannon foundry for the following reasons:
a. Mainly, because of the abundance of
quality iron ore mines near the fort.
b. The presence of a massive wind tunnel in the cannon foundry of Jaigarh
Fort had an added advantage. The wind tunnel that sucked air from the high mountains
into its furnace causing temperatures to go up as high as 2400 °F, and making the metal melt easily. The molten metal thus formed would fill a reservoir
chamber and then pass into a cannon mold in the casting pit. Most of those
cannons made here were massive, mostly 16 ft long and had to be prepared within a
single day.
c. The Rajput rulers also had a large ingenious mechanical device
built that had a well-built precision gear system driven by four/six pairs of oxen; the
device was used for hollowing out the cannon barrels.
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Jaigarh Fort. /mapio.net
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During the reign of the Mogul
Emperor Muhammad Shah, Jai Singh II became the official Mogul
Qiladar of Jaigarh Fort according to a Firman. Subsequently, Jai Singh II
is said to have molded the great Jaivana Cannon by incorporating special alloy using devices and facilities available in this old and historical foundry inside the Jaigarh Fort. Being a great warrior as he was, Sawai Jai Singh II had maintained a large number of artillery and copious supply of munitions in case of war. Surprisingly, this largest cannon in the world had not been fired even once for the purpose of war. The reason being the Sawai Jai Singh dynasty had a close relationship with the Moguls.
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Jaigarh Fort en.wikipedia.org
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Jaivana rests on a high 4 wheeled carriage; the front wheels are 2.74 m in diameter and the rear wheels are 1.37 m in diameter; it weighs 50 tons. Only a well-planned and ingenious preparation would have made it possible a cannon of this massive size whose total length is 20.19 ft and the barrel can be raised or lowered by an 8 ft tall elevating screw. Four
elephants were used to rotate the gear system made of thick wooden crossbars fixed to a central beam. It is these wooden parts that have eroded due to ageing and need to be repaired. To ease the burden on the wheels of Jaivana due to overlying heavy cannon, a new support system is to be made to bear the weight. The barrel
has decorations carved on it depicting trees, an elephant scroll and
a pair of birds (ducks). It is, as mentioned earlier, mounted on 4 wheels with two back wheels mounted on roller pin bearings, to turn it 360° and
fire in any direction. A tin shed was built to protect the cannon
against vagaries of weather. The cannon had a maximum range of 22 miles
and used 50 kilogram
(110 lb) balls. It causes immense shock waves capable of shaking the nearby buildings. The Gunner had to safeguard himself upon firing as considerable risk was involved.
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The Jaivana cannon en.wikipedia.org
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The cannon is believed to have been
fired only once apparently to test its capability - towards Chakshu, 22 km away. About 100 kgs of explosives
were used to launch a massive 50 kg iron ball. It created a huge depression where it had landed and now it has become a pond. The fire power was so incredible, the Gunner had to jump into a water tank close to the cannon to avoid shock waves upon firing. Its gunner, in the past, is said to have died on the spot upon firing the cannon. It is said that ight people and one elephant were dead besides the collapse of many houses in Jaipur in the wake of shake waves created by Jaivana.
The Jaigarh Fort fort was built by Jai Singh II in 1726 mainly to protect the Amer Fort and its palace complex. From here, one can have an amazing view of the Aravali range of hills and the Amber Fort.
The media reports point out that the cannon foundry, museum and armory chamber need better maintenance and publicity to get more tourists to this beautiful place.
