A Royal Heist? Theives Steal Rare 1,000-Kg 16th-Century Cannon From ASI-Protected Fort In MP's Shivpuri

Published 18 July 2026 · india

A Royal Heist? Theives Steal Rare 1,000-Kg 16th-Century Cannon From ASI-Protected Fort In MP's Shivpuri Published By Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 09:27 IST Around

A Royal Heist? Theives Steal Rare 1,000-Kg 16th-Century Cannon From ASI-Protected Fort In MP's Shivpuri Published By Last Updated: July 18, 2026, 09:27 IST Around 25-30 armed men allegedly threatened unarmed guards before escaping with the historic artillery piece in a carefully planned overnight operation. Rapid Read Narwar Fort in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, from where a rare 16th-century cannon was allegedly stolen in an overnight heist. A rare 16th-century cannon weighing over 1,000 kg was allegedly stolen from the ASI-protected Narwar Fort in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district after an armed gang of 25 to 30 men stormed the historic hill fort during the intervening night of July 15 and 16. According to security guards, the group entered the fort through a rugged rear approach using loading vehicles brought specifically to transport the massive artillery piece. The men, allegedly armed with weapons, surrounded the unarmed guards, threatened to kill them and fled with the cannon. The theft has revived memories of a similar incident in 2007, when another Mughal-era cannon, about seven feet long and weighing nearly 30 quintals, was stolen from the fort’s Kachahari Mahal premises. Second Attempt To Steal The Cannon? Investigators believe the theft was carried out in two phases.

Officials said the gang had allegedly tried to steal the same cannon on July 5, managing to push it from its original position but failing to move it because of its enormous weight. The group is believed to have returned on the night of July 15-16, this time equipped with loading vehicles and the machinery needed to transport the cannon. Tyre marks found along the fort’s rear access route are now being examined as part of the investigation. One Of Only 14 Historic Cannons At The Fort The heist took place at Narwar Fort, a historic hill fort associated in local tradition with Kush, the son of Lord Rama, and the legendary King Nala and Damayanti. The stolen cannon was one of 14 historic artillery pieces displayed in the fort’s open courtyard. Following the theft, only 13 cannons remain at the site. Historically Valuable, Officially Priceless Archaeology officials said the cannons are made from special metal alloys, including brass, copper, bronze and ashtadhatu (an eight-metal alloy). They also bear royal insignia and inscriptions in Persian and Devanagari, making them historically significant. While the cannon has no official monetary value, investigators believe such rare military relics command high prices in the illegal international antiquities market.