Asaf Jahi era cannon dug out at work site

HYDERABAD: A cannon, reportedly dating back to the Asaf Jahi era, was found at Dabeerpura when a few workers were digging earth at a construction site on Sunday afternoon. Labourers who were digging pits for erecting pillars at an under-construction site, discovered it. Initially, they tried to bring it out of the pit but backed off, as it was very heavy. Soon police were informed about the find.“It measures about four-and-half feet in length and is very heavy. We have infor-med the department of heritage officials and they will come and inspect it on Monday,” informed inspector of Dabeerpura, D. Venkanna Naik.

M.A. Qayyum, historian, said  that the cannon might have been one of those positioned atop the Dabeerpura Darw-aza or the ‘Fasil’ (wall) abutting it. Dabeerpura Darwaza (gate), is part of a massive fortification wall, and its doors and wickets encircled the city. A long circumference wall of around six miles went around the city. The construction of the wall began during the Qutb Shahi period, but it was completed during the reign of Asaf Jah.

“At several points on the wall, cannons were placed on special platforms called ‘burj’. Apparently, the cannon is one among them,” he explained. As the news of  finding the cannon spread, huge crowds gathered at the spot to have a glimpse of the historic cannon. The police had to make several appeals to send away people who came in hordes from various parts of the Old City to see the cannon. The officials of the department of heritage are expected to turn up on Monday and inspect the cannon.