Thanjavur cannon, Military artillery in Thanjavur, India.
The Thanjavur cannon is a large iron cannon in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, built from 43 iron plates forming the inner barrel and 94 iron rings wrapped around the outside for support. It measures about 26 feet (8 meters) in length and weighs around 20 tons (18 metric tons).
The cannon was built in 1620 during the reign of Raghunatha Nayak to defend the eastern gate of Thanjavur. It was placed on a raised earthen mound called Beerangi Medu, which served as a strategic firing position.
The cannon was made by joining many separate iron pieces through forge-welding, rather than pouring the metal into a single mold. This technique shows how skilled the metalworkers of the 17th century were.
The cannon stands near Peruvudaiyaar Temple on the Beerangi Medu mound and can be reached by local bus or auto-rickshaw from central Thanjavur. The climate is warm and humid, so light clothing and water are a good idea for the visit.
Despite being exposed to outdoor weather for over 400 years, the iron of this cannon shows no signs of rust, which has puzzled metal experts for a long time. Some researchers think the particular forging process used at the time created a natural protective layer in the metal.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
