A 400-year-old cannon weighing nearly 3.5 tonnes was stolen from the historic Narwar Fort in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district in a meticulously planned operation targeting one of the state’s most valuable heritage artefacts. The cannon, displayed in the fort’s Open Kacheri complex, is believed to have been removed during the night of July 15-16. Authorities suspect the theft may have been carried out by an organised network involved in the illegal trade of antiquities.
Investigators believe the thieves first attempted to steal the cannon on July 5 and pushed the object from its original position, but failed to transport it because of its weight. The accused then returned on July 15, removed the cannon, and loaded it onto a vehicle waiting below, officers said. The stolen cannon was one of 14 historic cannons preserved at the fort, a collection considered historically significant with the cannons cast from mixed metals including brass, bronze and other alloys.
The Open Kacheri complex, where they were displayed, dates back to the 16th century. The theft has exposed security lapses at the protected monument. According to police, six guards are assigned to the fort, four for day duty and two for the night shift.
However, investigators found that the two guards supposed to be on duty on the night of the theft had allegedly left the fort and returned home, leaving the monument unattended. One security guard reportedly told investigators that there were no arrangements for guards to stay overnight at the fort and that basic facilities such as lighting and security equipment were unavailable. Police are examining these statements as part of the investigation.
Shivpuri Superintendent of Police Yangchen Dolkar Bhutia said the theft was ‘an extremely serious and sensitive matter’. She said special investigation teams had been formed, checkpoints had been set up on all routes leading to and from the fort, and CCTV footage from surrounding areas was being examined to identify the suspects and trace the vehicle used in the theft. State Archaeology Department Deputy Director Tarun Kumar Mahobia said sufficient evidence confirmed that the cannon had been stolen and that a joint investigation with the police was underway.
He described the incident as a serious loss to the state’s cultural heritage.
