Jaivana cannon has been never fired after the test-firing ever again and sits under a canopy at the Jaigarh ramparts for tourists to marvel at.
Jaivana, a largest canon of its time’ being housed at the Jaigarh Fort is world’s most efficient cannon.
As per historical stories, this canon was test-fired only once and there were no such circumstances to utilise its might thereafter.
If folklores are to be believed, the shot ball used during test firing of canon had a fall in Chaksu village and the impact created a depression and made a pond which is still in use by the villagers.
Although the cannon ball’s range cannot be accurately determined now, but the magnificent canon with a barrel decorated with peacock and elephant motifs is in fact a gigantic one which could be swivelled with the force of four elephants.
Further, the boom noise, as the myth goes, caused a few women to have a miscarriage. It is said that the heat generated during the test firing was of such intensity that the soldiers handing the gunpowder had to take shelter in water tanks which was stored near the canon to prevent skin burn.
The canon was never fired after the test-firing ever again. It sits under a canopy at the Jaigarh ramparts for tourists to marvel at. Its presence is the proof of metallurgical and scientific knowledge that existed in the country in 18th century. And that is a reason enough to feel proud about.