The forensic laboratory at Kalina in Santa Cruz has officially communicated the archeological value of the handheld canon that was seized by the Dharavi police in October last year when three persons were trying to sell it and were caught following a tip-off. Forensic experts confirmed that the 20-inch artillery gun, weighing 25 kgs dates back to the first Mughal emperor Babur’s era and is at least 400 years old.
PSI Rahul Rakh of Dharavi police station said, “Forensic experts told us that the weapon was one of the first weapons brought by the first Mughal emperor Babur when they came to India. This was done on the basis of tests on the metal and paint, which were subjected to chemical analysis that helps to ascertain the age of a particular object. Researchers from the Archaeological Survey of India were also a part of the study.”
The police also suspects the claim made by the accused who said they inherited the gun by virtue of a royal lineage. “One of the accused, Pratapsingh Dharamshetar Palsingh from Madhya Pradesh, told us he came from a royal family in MP and the cannon was handed down to the male members from generations,” added Mr Rakh.
Following the tip-off, the police disguised as customers and got in touch with Singh to buy the cannon. Singh had initially quoted a price of `1 crore, but later brought it down to `65 lakh. He later went to Panipat and brought the cannon, along with his two accomplices Sanjay Gupta and Vijendra Chauhan.
The trio has been booked under Arms Act and Antiquities and Art Treasures Act. According to police, Singh claimed that the cannon was made up of “Ashtadhatu” (eight metals). The holder of such antiques must have a licence and need permission to sell them.