Cannon goes missing from Padmadurga fort in Raigad district

“The fort is a protected monument under the ASI. However, according to the ASI, there was no security in place and no security guards were being deputed as the fort is located in the middle of the sea. We were told that the cannon was last seen in June and, hence, even ASI officials are not sure how and when the cannon could have gone missing. ASI has registered an FIR and preliminary investigation in the matter is on,” said Mohhamed Suvez Haque, Superintendant of Police, Raigad.

Sachin Joshi, a researcher from the Archeology department of Deccan College and Post-Graduate Research Institute, said, “The fort had as many as 70 to 80 cannons in the past. However, when I mapped the fort and its premises four years ago, I counted these cannons. There were only 45 cannons remaining, of which one must have gone missing. I have detailed drawings of all these cannons and, if verified, we can find which cannon actually went missing. The cannons have not gone missing for its historical importance but for its iron.”

According to ASI officials of Raigad circle, the existing cannons have rusted due to the humid climate. Five to six small cannons are buried under mud and dust. M S Chauhan, superintending archaeologist at ASI’s Mumbai circle, said, “There are no security guards deputed at the fort. We have deputed one caretaker, who works there in the day and leaves by evening. There is nobody to secure the premises at night as it is located in the middle of the sea. Besides, we are facing dearth of staff. Padmadurga is a picnic spot for many. There are chances that visitors sit on these cannons or push them. It is likely that due to this, the cannon must have rolled down into the sea.”

Chauhan added, “As per rules, we have filed an FIR on December 13 but apart from that we have also called for an internal inquiry.”
Mahesh Tendulkar, historian and member of Bharat Itihaas Sanshodhak Mandal, said, “The fort was built for the purpose of invading the Murud Janjira fort. Shivaji wrote to Jivaji Nayak in 1670 to build such a fort to be able to invade Janjira. There is a huge historical importance attached to Padmadurg and still the fort is awaiting restoration and the weapons on display are vanishing one after the other. It’s a shame.”