Jaivana Cannon

The Jaivana was, at the time of its manufacture in 1720, the world's largest cannon on wheels of the Early Modern Era.[1]

The Jaivana was manufactured during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (1699–1743) at a foundry in Jaigarh. This cannon was never used in any battle as the Rajput rulers of Amer had friendly relations with the Mughals.[2][3] The cannon was fired only once with a charge of 100 kilograms (220 lb) of gunpowder and when fired was claimed to have covered a distance of about 35 kilometres (22 mi).[4][5]

The cannon from the rear

Now it is located at the Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur (India) at (26°58′48.03″N 75°50′37.29″E).

The length of the barrel of the cannon is 6.15 m (20.2 ft) and it weighs 50 tons. The circumference near the tip of the barrel is 2.2 m (7.2 ft) and that of the rear is 2.8 m (9.2 ft). The diameter of the bore of the barrel is 28 cm (11 in) and the thickness of the barrel at the tip is 21.6 cm (8.5 in). The thickness gradually increases as one moves towards the rear of the barrel. The two thick rings on the barrel were used for lifting it with the help of a crane which, though incomplete, is still lying in Jaigarh. A 776-millimetre-long (30.6 in) elevating screw was used for raising and lowering the barrel.

The barrel has floral design. An elephant rests on the tip of the barrel and a pair of peacocks are carved in the center. A pair of ducks also decorates the rear of the barrel.

Jaivana rests on a high two-wheeled carriage. The wheels are 1.37 m (4.5 ft) in diameter. The carriage is equipped with two removable additional wheels for transport. The removable wheels are 2.74 m (9.0 ft) in diameter. It is mounted on wheels and has the mechanism of two back wheels mounted on roller pin bearings, to turn it 360° and fire in any direction. A tin shed was built to protect the cannon against weather.

About 100 kg (220 lb) of gunpowder fired a shot ball weighing 50 kg (110 lb).

The uses and range of the cannon and cannonballs vary over different sources.

The Jaivana Cannon was only fired once by the Jai Singh II, as a test-fire in 1720 and the then Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah is known to have attended the event before ousting the Sayyid Brothers from power. The most exaggerated myth claims that the weapon had a range of 40 km (25 mi), other sources say it is 35, 22 and 11 km (6.8 mi), although the exact range could perhaps never be determined without adequate scientific computation. Most sources, including local tourist guides agree that it was fired in the direction of Chaksu. The impact is said by many locals and tourist guides to be powerful enough to have caused a depression where a pond can be seen today. Legend has it that after it fired, pregnant women living nearby suffered miscarriages.[6]

From work done by Dr.A.R.Collins on the ballistics of smooth bore cannons and historical data of cannon ranges and muzzle velocities, plus taking into account the likely inferior quality of the non-corned black powder propellant of the period, the highest probably muzzle velocity would be around 1500 to 1700 feet/second. This would give a maximum ballistic range of around 5000 yards to 3 miles.[7]

• Tsar Cannon
• List of the largest cannon by caliber
• The Pride and the Passion—a 1957 movie where a large fictional cannon has a nearly identical carriage and similar size.

• R.S. Khangarot, P.S. Nathawat- Jaigarh the invincible fort of Amber(1990), Raj Kmar Parnami, RBSA Publishers, Jaipur

• http://www.journeymart.com/DExplorer/AsiaIS/India/india_addon/fortspalaces/jaigarh.asp