History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c37.33

c37.33

We would now proceed to describe some specimens of very big iron guns of the Mogul days, found scattered in different parts of India. Most of these weigh about 30–47 tons. The maximum length found is about 31 feet, and the longest bore reaches about 1 ft. 7 in diameter. These guns were generally constructed of iron bars of square section laid longitudinally along the bore, over which iron rings were slipped, one at a time, while red hot. On cooling, they shrank and fastened the iron bars strongly together. Near the breech the guns were often strengthened by a second layer of rings