Bachhawali Cannon

Bachhawali Cannon, also known as Bachhawali Tope, is a historic cannon displayed in the Nizamat Fort Campus near Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad, West Bengal. Measuring about 5.5 meters long and weighing several tonnes, it was cast by Janardan Karmakar. Resting on a raised platform in the palace gardens, it is a prominent relic of the Nawabi era and a key attraction within Murshidabad's heritage complex.

Visitors can see a large historic iron cannon mounted on a raised masonry platform in the open gardens of the Nizamat Fort Campus, between Hazarduari Palace and Nizamat Imambara. The cannon is displayed outdoors surrounded by lawns and pathways within the heritage complex. Visitors can walk around the exhibit, view its size and detailing up close, take photographs, and explore the surrounding palace grounds and nearby heritage structures.

The Bachhawali Cannon is attributed to Janardan Karmakar, a renowned blacksmith and cannon-maker, and is dated to the 14th to 16th century period. It was later used during the Nawabi period in Murshidabad, which served as the capital of Bengal under Murshid Quli Khan and later Nawabs including Siraj-ud-Daulah. The cannon is preserved as an example of historic artillery technology and is maintained within the Nizamat Fort heritage complex.

The cannon is a notable cultural relic of Murshidabad's Nawabi heritage and is a focal point for visitors exploring the city's historic architecture and military history. Its name, locally understood to refer to its loud firing sound, is part of local folklore and heritage interpretation at the site.