History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c37.7

c37.7

But the most important gun of the Mogul time is the famous *Malik-i-maidan* (lit. monarch of the plain), made of bronze (Fig. 31). According to Fergusson and others it formed the largest piece of ordnance in the world at their time. The material of the gun on analysis revealed the following composition: Copper, 80.43; tin, 19.57 per cent. The dimensions of the gun are given by. Length, 14'-3"; diameter at mouth, 4'-10"; diameter at nozzle, 4'-5"; diameter at bore, 2'-4½". This huge piece of armament is now lying at Bijapur. The surface of the gun was chased after casting, and its muzzle worked into the shape of the head of a dragon, having open jaws with small elephants between It is said to be cast at Ahmednagar in 1548 during the reign of Sultan Burhan Nizam Shah. The manipulation and skill, involved in casting such a gigantic piece of bronze armament, reflects no small credit to the workers of those days.