Police arrested two suspects for the theft of a 400-year-old, 3.5-ton cannon from Narwar Fort in central India. The cannon remains missing, with authorities deploying search teams, metal detectors, and canine units. A guard discovered the theft on the morning of 16/7, reporting one of 14 cannons missing. According to authorities, the two men first attempted to steal the cannon on 3/7, hiring about 20 people, but abandoned the effort after failing to move it. Two weeks later, they returned with a crane, an excavator, metal pipes, and other heavy equipment. They entered the fort through an unguarded path and removed the cannon during the night.

A corner of Narwar Fort, home to 14 cannons. *Photo: Justdial*

The suspects' motive stems from a water dispute in Rajasthan involving two communities. The conflict centers on releasing water from the Panchana Dam: one faction supports release, while the other demands compensation first. Police reported that the two suspects, belonging to the "pro-dam release" faction, admitted stealing the cannon. They intended to aim it at the Panchana Dam to intimidate their rivals. The Rajasthan government recently mediated between the communities, but the dispute remains unresolved.

Narwar Fort, spanning 1.5 km across the Vindhya hills in central India, boasts a rare cannon collection. The stolen cannon was cast from ashtadhatu, a traditional alloy of eight metals historically used in ancient Indian sculpture and artillery manufacturing.

Source: The Telegraph