The Hindu : National : The making of a cannon park

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 28, 2004

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National

The making of a cannon park

By K. Venkateshwarlu

HYDERABAD, JULY 27. In a unique conservation effort, an 18th century gun foundry here, set up by a French military officer, is being restored. It is believed to have supplied cannons and muskets to the British and the Nizam's forces to fight Tipu Sultan.

Located in what is now the heart of Hyderabad, "Tope ka sancha," was among a string of foundries. Barring this "scientifically engineered foundry," most of the others, which were located on the outskirts of the city on the Hyderabad-Bangalore highway, have fallen prey to urbanisation and years of neglect. Sir John Malcolm, the British historian, in The Political History of India 1783-1823, refers to the foundries as places where "they cast excellent cannon and made serviceable muskets."

The conservation project is undertaken by the Department of Archaeology and Museums with an assistance of Rs. 6 lakhs from the State Bank of Hyderabad, whose corporate office shares the popular address of Gunfoundry. Some of the city's oldest schools, a cathedral and a mosque have the address too. The work was launched by P. Dinakar Rao, chief general manager, SBH, last week. According to J. Kedareswari, Director of the Department of Archeaology and Museums, Andhra Pradesh, it involves restoring the unplastered brick walls, some of which have caved in, virtually blocking entry into the foundry. The cracks will be filled and fungus formation in the crevices and a layer of soot covering the vaulted roof removed. The holes that allowed seepage of rainwater into the structure, which damaged part of the roof and the brick walls, will be plugged. "The idea is to restore, give a facelift and make the monument, listed for protection under State archaeology law, tourist-friendly. Along with the open space, the monument spread over 825 square yards would be turned into a Cannon Park," she said.

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