Jaipur : There is a cannon kept in Jaigarh Fort of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, which is considered to be the largest cannon in Asia. It has been named ‘Jaiban’ in accordance with the fort. Even the enemy sitting far away trembles on hearing about this cannon. The surprising thing is that it has not been used till date, there is a big story behind it.
This is the history of the cannon
This cannon made in the 18th century was no less than a Brahmastra for the kings of Jaipur. This cannon was made for war and security during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It was placed at the Dungar Gate of Jaigarh Fort near Amer. A special factory was built for its manufacture around 1720 where all the processes from smelting iron to casting the horseshoe took place there. Evidence of this is still present in the factory. This cannon is so huge that even an elephant gets tired in lifting it. The length of this cannon is 20.2 feet and its weight is 50 tons and it was placed on two wheels for mobility but still it is very difficult to move it.
100 kilograms of gunpowder was used in the cannon
According to government data, 100 kg of gunpowder and 50 kg of iron were used for testing the Jaiban cannon. The test was so dangerous that the shell fell 35 km away, where a crater was formed and a pond was formed due to rain water. The specialty of this cannon is that it has never been used. Now a tin roof has been constructed over it to protect the cannon from the weather.
Favorite spot for tourists
This cannon is still kept safe in the fort and till date there is not a single rust stain on it. Although there are many places to visit in the pink city of Jaipur, the most famous is the Jaiban cannon. Thousands of tourists come here to see it. They become happy seeing its antiquity and vastness. This cannon is specially worshipped on the day of Vijayadashami.
