Big Cannon, Bijapur

Big Cannon in Bijapur is called as the Malik-E-Maidan or Malik-i-Maidan which means the 'Lord of the Battlefield' is a 16th century cannon. It is located at a Burj-E-Sherz(Lion tower), Bijapur fort. It is 14.6 ft length made up of bell metal and is the largest surviving block of artillery from the Medieval period.

The muzzle gauge(gun barrel) is 28 inches and 4 ft 11 inches in overall diameter, weighing 55 tons. The cannonball(a type of bullet) could travel up to 500 metres. 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. Two were inscribed during Burhan Nizam Shah I of Ahmednagar. The third inscription was added by Aurangzeb when he conquered Bijapur in 1685-86.

History:

The cannon was cast in 1549 by the Persian engineeer Muhammad Bin Husain Rumi, then serving Sultan Nizam Shah I. Later the cannon was presented to his son-in-law, Sultan Ali Adil Shah I of Bijapur.

The cannon, among the world's largest in its category, was attempted to be moved to Great Britain by East India Company as a war trophy, but due to its huge size and un conditioned transport infrastructure the cannon could not be transported.

How To Reach:

Sainik School bus stop is at the nearest distance of 1.7 KM from the cannon. Bijapur bus stand is located at a distance of around 1.4 KM from the cannon. You can reach the cannon by taking a local taxi or an auto rickshaw from either of bus stops.