"Bronze 13.25 pr cannon on original carriage
Probably Lahore or Multan, about 1800.

This is one of several cannon produced in the Panjab between 1760 and 1825 in the former Mughal foundries of Lahore and Multan. The barrel is broadly similar to its illustrious cousin 'Zamzama', the Bhangianwali Top otherwise known as 'Kim's Gun'.

The barrel is decorated in the Mughal style with palmette borders, lotus flower motifs and makara. The decoration is almost identical to a 7.5 pr. preserved at Fort Nelson, Hampshire, dated 1794, and attributed to the work of engineers Nup and Anup Singh. They may also have been responsible for this piece.

By the late 1820's these designs gave way to simpler, less decorated types which were both lighter and easier to produce in quantity. However, the generally thicker barrels of Sikh guns may have permitted larger charges of gunpowder to be used, potentially increasing their range.

In the 1820's, and probably on the advice of European advisors, the barrel was remounted on a European style carriage. Aiming was improved by attaching a strap around the button connected to a capstan elevating screw. In Sikh service, the carriage may originally have been painted a light blue, with red metalwork.

There was far less standardisation of cannon patterns and calibres than in Europe. 96 patterns alone were used by the Sikh Army during the First Anglo-Sikh War. The unusual calibres recorded were simply due to the Sikhs using local weights and measures in their production.

Lent by the Royal Artillery Historical Trust, Mus. No: II.193"

Source: RMT. Narrative supported by Victoria & Albert Museum. London.