Jaivana cannon: World's biggest ever wheeled cannon

India / Rajasthan / Jaipur /
 interesting place, artillery on display
The Jaivana (Hindi: जयवाण) cannon is the world's biggest wheeled cannon ever made. It is located at the Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur.
It was cast in 1720, during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur.
Jaivan 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.
The barrel is 6.147 m long and weighs 50 tons. It rests on a 7.3 m long shaft.
The tip of the barrel is 711 mm in dia., while the rear of the barrel is 906 mm dia.
An 776 mm long elevating screw was used for raising and lowering the barrel.
Reportedly, it took four elephants to swivel it around on its axis.
About 100 kg. (a quintal) of gun powder fired a shot ball weighing 50 kg.
Never used in battle, the Maharaja Jai Singh reportedly test-fired it once in 1720.
The cannon ball is said to have landed at Chaksu about 40 km to the south.
The impact formed a pond at the spot.
Cannons always had a water tank beside them, for the gunner to jump into to avoid the massive shock wave. Jaivan's gunner is said to have died on the spot on firing the cannon, before he could jump into water. Eight people and one elephant were also reportedly killed by the shock wave and many houses collapsed in Jaipur.
Wasn't it a feat to transport this cannon to the top of the hill where it is placed?
Truely India!
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaivana_cannon
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   26°58'47"N   75°50'37"E

Comments

  • my dear friend sonu you must write the name of canon ok i will tell you the canon name is jaivan it has built by only at jaigarh and made by seven metals
  • The pride of India
This article was last modified 3 years ago