Jaivana Cannon :- Jaipur

The Jaivana cannon, at the time of its manufacture in 1720, was the world's largest cannon on wheels ever built in the Early Modern Era. Located at the well-known Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, it was cast in 1720, during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II(1699–1743)of Jaipur.

During the reign of the Mogul Emperor Muhammad Shah, Jai Singh II became the official Mogul Qiladar of Jaigarh Fort according to a Firman. Subsequently, Jai Singh II is said to have molded the great Jaivana Cannon by incorporating special alloy using devices and facilities available in this old and historical foundry inside the Jaigarh Fort

Jaivan rests on a high 4 wheeled carriage. The front wheels are 2.74 m in diameter and the rear wheels are 1.37 m in diameter; it weighs 50 tons. Only a well-planned and ingenious preparation would have made it possible a cannon of this massive size whose total length is20.19 ft and the barrel can be raised or lowered by an 8 ft tall elevating screw. Four elephants were used to rotate the gear system made of thick wooden crossbars fixed to a central beam. It is these wooden parts that have eroded due to ageing and need repair. To ease the burden on the wheels of Jaivanadue to overlying heavy cannon, a new support system is to be made to bear the weight. The barrel has decorations carved on it depicting trees, an elephant scroll and a pair of birds (ducks). It is, as mentioned before mounted on 4 wheels with 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 vagaries of weather. The cannon had a maximum range of 22 miles and used 50 kilograms (110 lb) balls. It causes immense shock waves capable of shaking the nearby buildings. The Gunner had to safeguard himself upon firing as the considerable risk was involved.

cannon is believed to have been fired only once apparently to test its capability- towards Chakshu, 22 km away. About 100 kgs of explosives were used to launch a massive 50 kg iron ball. It created a huge depression where it had landed and now it has become a pond. The firepower was so incredible, the Gunner had to jump into a water tank close to the cannon to avoid shock waves upon firing. Itsgunner, in the past, is said to have died on the spot upon firing the cannon. It is said that the right people and one elephant were, besides the collapse of many houses in Jaipur in the wake of shake waves created by Jaivana

The Jaigarh Fort fort was built by Jai Singh II in 1726 to protect the Amer Fort and its palace complex.From here, one can have an amazing view of the Aravali range of hills and the Amber Fort. The media reports point out that the cannon foundry, museum and armory chamber need better maintenance and publicity to get more tourists to this beautiful place.