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Madhyapradesh: In a stunning breach of security that has sent shockwaves across India, a priceless 400-year-old historic cannon has been stolen from the iconic Narwar Fort in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district, raising serious concerns over the protection of the country’s cultural heritage.
According to reports, nearly 25 to 30 heavily armed and masked assailants entered the fort through a rear access route using a loading vehicle during the night of July 15–16. The gang allegedly held unarmed security guards at gunpoint, overpowered them with ease, and escaped with the massive 16th-century cannon without facing any resistance.
Investigators suspect the involvement of an international antiquities smuggling network, prompting police to launch an extensive search operation and tighten vehicle checks across neighbouring districts. What has further intensified the controversy is the revelation that the same gang had reportedly attempted to steal the cannon on July 5. Although the first attempt failed because of the cannon’s enormous weight, authorities allegedly dismissed the incident as a minor theft attempt and failed to strengthen security at the fort.
The stolen cannon, dating back to the Scindia era, is crafted from a rare alloy of brass, copper and Ashtadhatu (an eight-metal blend), and bears royal insignia along with Persian and Devanagari inscriptions, making it an irreplaceable historical artifact.
While experts say its cultural and historical value is beyond measure, estimates suggest it could fetch anywhere between ₹2 crore and ₹5 crore in the international black market for antiquities. T
he daring theft has sparked widespread outrage and renewed demands for stronger protection of India’s priceless heritage monuments and archaeological treasures.
