Iron in Ancient India c6.s8.19

c6.s8.19

The great iron gun at Murshidābād, called Jāhānkoshā (conqueror of the world), 17 feet 6 inches in length and with a circumference of 5 feet 3 inches, is of great historical importance owing to the existence of nine inscribed brass plates on it. From the inscription it is ascertained that this gun was constructed in 1047 Hijira, Jamadinssani (October, 1637), during the reign of Emperor Shājahān (the then Subādār of Bengal being Islām Khān) at Jahāngirnagar (Dacca) by chief mechanic Janārdan under the supervision of Darogā Sher Mahammad and Inspector Harabullava Dās.¹