18th century cannon, ‘gun powder’ unearthed in Vellore fort

Corporation workers were digging a pit near the cow shed adjacent to the famed Jalakanteswarar temple inside the fort. During the work, the workers found a tube-like structure made of iron. When the workers further dug up the soil around the structure, they found it to be the muzzle of a cannon.

On information, a team from the local unit of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) rushed to the spot and confirmed that the object inside the four-foot deep pit was a cannon. Some quantity of black powder was also found nearby. Suspecting it to be gunpowder, officials immediately asked workers to stop digging and informed the Chennai office.

Local ASI officials said they had requested for an inspection of the site to ensure that a proper excavation was conducted. Asked about security at the site, ASI sources said their own staff were guarding the pit and the cannon.

Sources also added that cannons similar to the recently-unearthed one near the temple were mounted at the entrance to the ASI museum (former Collector’s office) inside the fort.

They too were unearthed while digging inside the fort on a past occasion, they added.