Here stands a silent sentinel. This is a Cannon from a bygone era in Chennai. It holds stories of battles and empires. These cannons offer a glimpse into India’s military past.
The East India Company left its mark on these cannons. One cannon bears the company’s mark. An inscription reveals it was made by W. Kinman in 1781. It measures 126 cm in length.
Another cannon whispers tales of Dutch traders. The Dutch East India Company’s monogram, V.O.C., adorns it. It stands for “Vereeingde Oost Indische Compagnie”. The letter ‘A’ signifies Amsterdam. The inscription states it was made in Amsterdam in 1785. This cannon is 98.5 cm long.
The Fort Museum has a talking cannon. It shares a message of peace at the tap of a button. It is part of an exhibit to engage children. The audio guides children through the history of cannons. It also spreads a message of ahimsa. Ahimsa means peace.
Tippu Sultan’s cannon tells another story. It is about 250 years old. It is made of gun metal. The British captured this cannon in 1799. It happened at Srirangapatnam during operations against Tippu Sultan. Tippu Sultan ruled Mysore. He was a pioneer in rocket artillery. He fought the British with cannons and rockets. He died in battle in 1799.
One cannon has tiger heads. The muzzle and other parts are shaped like tiger heads. An inscription states it was taken at the fall of Seringapatam in 1799. The carriage bears the name A. Brooml. Gun foundry, Cassipore, 1851.
These cannons once roared with power. They are now silent witnesses to history. They remind us of empires and battles. They now stand for peace. They represent the passage of time in Chennai.