The two ancient cannons that were unearthed by the Metro Rail workers last week in the city may find place in Tipu’s Summer Palace. Both the cannons were found near the Summer Palace, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken the possession of the cannons and a 10 kg cannonball that was discovered with the first cannon. An ASI official told this newspaper that the cannons will be kept on public display at the Summer Place, located next to the Kote Venkatramana Temple.
“We have a few places in mind, but the Summer Palace could be the right place for these cannons. Tipu Sultan scaled up the warfare with excess use of cannons and rockets. The cannons which are now found will be mounted on a platform for the visitors,” the official said. The ASI also had Srirangapatna and Bengaluru museum in mind to place the cannons.
Mr K.S. Aruni, deputy director of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), said that the location of cannons inside the fort area should be investigated before they are put up for public display. “The cannons are normally found on the towers or on the fringes of the fort to attack enemy troops. But these cannons were found where once the palace existed. It is important that these cannons are documented and properly researched so that more light is thrown on Tipu’s tactics in war with the British,” he said.
Eminent historian Dr Suryanath Kamath said Tipu was an avid lover of cannons and experimented with their use against the enemy. “He was the first king in the history to use rockets against the British. Even today, the area from where rockets Tipu’s troops launched rockets exists.