Metro Rail workers found another cannon on Friday, a day after stumbling upon the first one on Thursday, while carrying out underground works near Vani Vilas Hospital.
Archaeologists are upset that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd has been executing underground works near monuments and historically important sites without taking necessary precautions.
Before the underground works began, archaeologists had suggested that Metro work has to be monitored near monuments to take care of recovered articles. But the suggestion was not entertained by Metro Rail authorities.
Archaeologists opine that the two cannons found near K.R. Road could belong to the era of former Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan, Hyder Ali, pre-Hyder Ali or British rule.
But a lot of information has been lost with the way BMRCL has excavated the cannons, they lamented.
Deputy Director, Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Dr. S.K. Aruni, said: “To know more about historic value of these cannons, first we need to know why they were buried in the earth.
Next we need to find out why the cannons were found in the middle of the fort area, who was the owner of these cannons etc. We can ascertain the age of the cannons by studying the technology adopted in making them.
But, Namma Metro has pulled the cannons out and we have lost crucial information that would have answered all these questions.”
Dr. Aruni had also requested the BMRCL to allow him into the Metro tunnel when excavation happens around historic sites. But authorities did not consider the suggestion.