Cannons found at KP to be exhibited at Central Museum

Nagpur: The state’s archaeology department has taken the six cannons that found at the historical Kasturchand Park (KP) into its custody and decided to put them on display at Central Museum situated behind Vidhan Bhavan at Civil Lines. The department, however, has not yet taken any decision on further excavation of the KP ground to explore the possibilities of more such cannons or materials.

Collector Ravindra Thakre said the department took possession of all cannons from 118 Battalion. “Further course of action has to be decided by the archaeology department. I am yet to receive any proposal. We will take necessary action only after receiving any proposal,” he said.

Archaeology department’s museum curator Jaya Wahane said, “Now, we will do chemical conservation process on cannons and related materials. Central Museum is a safe and proper place to keep it. The staff here are technically sound and entire premises covered under CCTV surveillance. Therefore, we will exhibit cannons for public at Central Museum. We will study about pedestal of cannons and prepare such things for its display,” she said.

Wahane said the decision on further exploring possibilities for more such materials from the KP will be taken jointly by her head office and the collector. “I have started searching for evidence how and when the three cannons, which has been at the KP for decades, were kept there. The Britishers were known to preserve everything they had with them. Even, they used to preserve all drawings in a proper manner. I was working in Nashik before transferred to Nagpur. I came across a number of drawings and materials related to wars of the British. Therefore, I asked my counterparts to search if any drawings or information related to the KP etc in British Library,” she said.

Member of Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) Ashok Mokha, also an architect, said no chance should be left in finding more such materials in the KP ground. “Modern technologies are available with us to find if any such materials underneath. The KP ground is a grade-I heritage open space, so it cannot be dug up totally,” he said.

Meanwhile, activist Dinesh Naidu wants all the six cannons should be preserved and displayed at the KP itself. “It will enhance the historical signification of the ground if all the cannons are put on display along with the three cannons that are already there,” he said.

He further said the KP is known for war between British and Marathas. “The six cannons were found at shallow depth and at one place, not in scattered manner. It is very clear that the cannons found there were also brought to the KP for exhibition as like the other three on display for decades. A detailed chart displaying information about war and cannons should also be exhibited at the KP,” he said.

Naidu said the collector office and the police department should first of all remove all Banjaras from the KP and stop them from drying clothes on the cannons. “Entire Baradari which is also a heritage structure is on destruction,” he said.

Banjaras are also using newly constructed jogging and walking tracks for bathing, washing clothes, sleeping etc

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‘CANNONS SHOULD BE AT KP ITSELF’

*Workers of Solar Industries found six cannons— four big and two small in size— while digging for storm water drain adjacent to Band Stand on Wednesday night

*As per collector’s order, 118 Battalion took all in its custody for safety

*State’s archaeological department took possession and stored in premises of Central Museum

*Department planning to do chemical preservation on it and display for public with information at Central Museum

*Department also studying how and when three cannons on display and six now are at KP

*Heritage Conservation Committee wishes possibilities of more such materials from KP should be explored as it was a battle field during war between Marathas and British

*Activist Dinesh Naidu said all ongoing works at KP should be stopped, more possibilities should be explored and six cannons should be exhibited at KP itself


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