2-888-525 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Gun at Beejapore, 1850. 'By the last Indian mail, we learn, among the news from the Bombay Presidency, that "a plan is before the Government for the removal to England of the great brass gun at Beejapore [Bijapur, Karnataka, India]. It is the largest piece of ordnance in the world for its calibre. This gun was cast for the native Princes of Beejapore in 1590, at Ahmednuggur...". A Correspondent has favoured us with a Sketch of this Indian wonder. It is placed upon a bastion near one of the gates of Beejapore. Its native name is "Mulik Midhen" (Master of the Plain)...It is stated to require an iron ball weighing about 3100 lb. It is believed by some to he partly of gold; but there is a more wonderful tradition as to its history: it was fired once during a siege of the city, and the natives imagine the ball to be flying yet!'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.