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]
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.[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
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.[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
The 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]
^Sengupta, Kaustubh Mani; Das, Tista, eds. (12 August 2021). Rethinking the Local in Indian History: Perspectives from Southern Bengal. Taylor & Francis. ISBN9781000425529. LCCN2021007732. 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.
^ abChatterjee, 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.
