Seri Rambai, Bronze cannon at Fort Cornwallis, George Town, Malaysia
Seri Rambai is a bronze cannon positioned on the ramparts of Fort Cornwallis, featuring three pairs of heraldic lions and decorative bands running along its barrel. The surface carries a Javi inscription that documents a significant 17th-century event.
The Dutch East India Company gave this cannon to the Sultan of Johor in the early 1600s in exchange for trading rights. Aceh forces captured it from Johor in 1613, and the British colonial administration acquired it later as a response to pirate activities in regional waters.
Local residents view this bronze cannon as a symbol of fertility, and traditions involve placing flowers in its barrel to support conception wishes. This practice shows how local beliefs continue to integrate a historical object into daily life today.
The cannon is located within Fort Cornwallis, so visitors need to enter the fort to view it up close. The Javi inscription on its surface is best seen in good daylight, so daytime visits work better for examining details clearly.
The name Seri Rambai translates to something like 'fortunate thunder' or 'thunder of fortune' in local language, a designation reflecting its power and importance. This poetic naming sets it apart from the European labels usually given to weapons of that era.
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