Malik-E-Maidan

About Malik-E-Maidan

Malik-E-Maidan (literally meaning 'Lord of the Battlefield' or 'Master of the Plain') is one of the largest medieval forged alloy/bronze cannons in the world. Mounted on the top of the Sherzah Burj (Lion Tower) along the fortified walls of Vijayapura (Bijapur), Karnataka, this legendary artillery piece stands as a monumental triumph of 16th-century metallurgy and military engineering.

History and Origin

Cast in 1549 CE by the Ottoman Turkish engineer Muhammad bin Husain Rumi at Ahmednagar, the cannon was initially captured by the Adil Shahi ruler Ali Adil Shah I as a trophy of war following the famous Battle of Talikota in 1565. It was later transported to Bijapur and mounted atop the Sherzah Burj by General Murari Pandit in 1632 CE. The cannon bears three inscriptions: two recording its original casting and maker in Ahmednagar, and a third celebrating its conquest by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb when he annexed Bijapur in 1686.

Architecture & Metallurgy Features

Weighing approximately 55 tonnes with a length of 4.45 metres and a diameter of 1.5 metres, this massive cannon is crafted from a sophisticated dark alloy comprising copper, tin, and iron (often described as bell metal or five-metal alloy). Remarkable metallurgical qualities keep the barrel strikingly cool even under direct tropical sunlight. When struck, it emits a clear, bell-like resonant sound. The muzzle is magnificently sculpted into the open jaws of a stylized lion crushing an elephant between its teeth.

Traveler Highlights

• The Lion Muzzle: Marvel at the artistic craftsmanship of the muzzle depicting an elephant being devoured by a lion.
• Panoramic View: Positioned high on the Sherzah Burj, visitors get a wide panoramic vista of Bijapur city and its historic walls.
• Acoustic Properties: Experience the famous coolness of the metal and hear about the legendary cannonball water tank built beneath the platform to protect gunners' ears during firing.