Invented during the reign of the Gurkani emperor Akbar, 1556-1605, by Iranian inventor Fathullah of Shiraz – a talented personality who lived the last seven years of his life at the Gurkani court as an imperial minister of finance dabbling in inventions and contraptions of all kinds in his spare time, the multi-barreled cannon is one among the earliest forms of the volley gun known to man.
Introduced into the Gurkani (Mughal) system of warfare undoubtedly as a part of Akbar’s endeavour to bolster the army’s artillery division, the unique weapon is thought by modern-day historians to have been actively used during major military engagements.
Crafted out of forged welded wrought iron or with bronze casting, this cannon had usually comprised of 5 to 6 thin barrels and was mounted on a wheel carriage.
It was light in weight and small enough to be easily transported over hilly tracks and inhospitable terrains to be deployed on the front or wherever it was required. Its use was probably against enemy infantry and cavalry units, as its thin tubes had spat out smaller-sized cannonballs, ineffective against strongly built fortifications but advantageous in breaking up formations.
On the battlefield, possibly several of its type may have been lined up to shower a constant volley, simultaneously, on enemy formations. Furthermore, it is believed this weapon could also be fired from a single elephant-drawn cart.
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The invention may have been inspired by another version of the volley gun known as the Ribauldequin, and which was in use in Persia during the same time frame. Knowledge of which would have been available to Fathullah, born, raised and educated in the city of Shiraz, Persia.
A common characteristic of the inventor’s mechanical contraptions was that they eliminated the use of excessive manpower.
Like the Gurkani portable cannon that could be dismantled and transported, and the Yarghu,see Farbound.Net story, Mughal age cannon cleaner, the multi-barreled cannon could be fired with a single wick and probably required no more than a two or three-man team.
I F I This is an Independent Story highlighting the Gurkani Multi-Barrel. It has been constructed from facts curated from literary and historical sources. The Multi-Barrel Cannon featured in this story, is a reconstructed model on exhibit at the National Science Centre in Delhi. I
