The Saga of Indian Cannons

by R. Balasubramaniam

The invention of cannons and their use in warfare added a different dimension to battles. The fates of nations were decided by the use of cannons. The science of gunpowder and the technology of cannons, from their introduction in the Indian subcontinent in the middle of the fifteenth century up to the pre-modern period, have been illustrated using Mughal miniature paintings and analysis of extant cannon pieces. The massive and wonderful forge welded iron cannons and cast bronze cannons of medieval India have been presented, some for the first time, in this book.

The mighty cannons that established Mughal, Maratha, Sikh and Deccan powers have been described. Indian innovations in cannon technology like shaturnal (cannons fired from back of camels), composite cannons (of inner wrought iron bore and outer bronze casting) and bans (battlefield rockets) offer sufficient proof of Indian ingenuity in science and technology. The book draws inspiration and major material from the original publications on the subject by the author. Written simply and profusely illustrated with the drawings and photographs, the book embodies the latest researches on the subject. It will fascinate both serious scholars and lay readers, and provide them rare glimpses into India's rich military and metallurgical heritage.

Table of Contents:

• Foreword
• Messages
• Preface
• Introductory Note
• Introduction
• Metallurgical Heritage
  • Invention of Gunpowder
  • The Invention of the Cannon
  • Early Devices
• The Beginning
  • Early References
  • Diffusion into India
  • Egypt and Turkey
  • China
  • Gujarati Guns
  • Cast Bronze Cannons
  • Wrought Iron Cannons
  • Cast Iron Cannons
  • Impact on Literature
  • Point Blank Fire
• Cannon Operation
  • Origin of the Name
  • Parts of Cannon
  • Barrel
  • Rear
  • Handling Rings
  • Trunnions
• Deployment of Cannon
  • Control of Cannon Forces
• Developments in Cast Bronze Cannon Technology
  • Types of Cannons
  • Babur's Kazan
  • Babur's Zarb zan
  • Babur's Firingi
  • Jinjals or Narnals
  • Akbar's Mortars
  • Akbar's Light Cannons
  • Light Cannons
  • Material of Construction
  • Casting Technology
  • Methodology
  • Pattern Preparation
  • Mould Preparation
  • Ornamentation
  • Machining
  • Gun Foundries
• Developments of Forge Welding Cannon Technology
  • Catalogue
  • Thanjavur
  • Dhaka
  • Murshidabad
  • Bishnupur
  • Jhansi
  • Assam
  • Tripura
  • Gulbarga
  • Bijapur 
  • Bidar
  • Hyderabad
  • Karimnagar District
  • Basava Kalyan
  • Udgir
  • Khandhar
  • Kaulas
  • Other Deccani Forts
  • Other locations
  • Technology of Forge World Cannons
  • Design
  • Construction
• Cannons of the Mighty Mughals
  • Artillery under Mughal Emperors
  • Cannons Names
  • Organizations
  • Aurangzeb's Cannons
  • Fath Raihbar
  • Qila Shikan
  • Fath Gusha
• Cannons of Regional Powers
  • Rajput Cannons
  • Maratha Cannons
  • Sikh Cannons
  • Cannons of Tipu
  • Indian Innovations
  • Shaturnal
  • Multipiece Screwable Cannons
  • Multibarrel Cannons
  • Yarghu
  • Mortars
• Composite Cannons
  • Characteristic Features 
  • Manufacturing Methodology
  • Chinese Examples
• Cannons and Fortifications
  • Bastions
  • Platforms
  • Ramparts
• Cannon Accessories
  • Gun Carriages
  • Cossipore Gun and Shell Factory 
  • Animals for Carting Gun Carriages
  • Saltpetre
  • Saltpetre Industry in Medieval India
  • Saltpetre Extraction
  • Saltpetre Industry in North India
  • Saltpetre Industry in Deccan
  • Cannonballs
  • Small Arms 
  • European Mercenary Artillerymen
  • Begum Samru
• Rockets
  • Medieval India
  • Construction of Ban
  • Mysore Rockets
  • Legacy – Congreve Rockets
  • Select Bibliography
  • Index.

About the Author:

Professor R. Balasubramaniam has vast experience in teaching corrosion and Indian archaeometallurgy. After graduating in metallurgical engineering from the Banaras Hindu University in 1984 with a gold medal, he completed his PhD in materials engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA in 1990. He has, since then, been teaching and conducting research at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering. He is the recipient of several prestigious awards like the BHU University Gold Medal (1984), Indian Institute of Metals Vishwa Bharathi Award (1984), Indian National Science Academy Young Scientist Award (1933), Humboldt Fellowship from the German Government (1996), Materials Research Society of India Medal (1999) and Metallurgist of the Year (1999) awarded by the Government of India. The widely published author is on the editorial board of several international journals. His significant research work on the famous 1600-year old Gupta period corrosion-resistant Iron Pillar, located in the Qutub, has received national and international acclaim. He is the author of four other books.