Bidanur, now known as Nagara, in Shivamogga district, Karnataka, served as a last capital region of the Keladi rulers (ca. 1500-1700), who gained independence after the fall of the empire in 1565-Battle of Rakkasagi-Tangadi. They were known for their military prowess, technological advancements, and contributions to metallurgy.
After excavation of ammunition rocket remnants from the private well owned by a farmer named Nagraj Rao of Nagara, 160 Rockets remnants were found while cleaning a well in 2002. Further investigation by the Department of Archaeology authorities revealed these were metal rocket tubes used for filling the explosive (gunpowder) for propulsion of the artillery rockets. In 2018, they found nearly 1700 iron caskets (tubes) filled with explosives in another farmer’s well in Bidanur. This was perhaps the first time in the history of India that so many old rocket remnants have been recovered at one time.
Usually, wrought iron is known for its exceptional malleability and ductility. The addition of carbon brings increased rigidity. The locally smelted iron is rolled into a piped-like structure, inside which the propellants are filled. The wrought iron hollow tubes had a length of 190mm to 260mm and weighed about 0.372 Kgs to 1.750Kgs, respectively. These tubes were filled with gunpowder—a mixture of saltpetre, sulphur, and ground charcoal—for the propellant system and tied to a long bamboo stick. These recovered rockets are currently kept in Shivappa Nayaka Palace in Shivamogga.
Interestingly, the usage of rockets during the Keladi period is mentioned in the famous ‘Shri Shivatatva Ratnakara,’ compiled by Basava Bhupala of Keladi. Colonel Colin Mackenzie, the surveyor in India, collected the palm leaves of “Rules for the fabrication of Gunpowder and preparing rockets and artificial fireworks,” and it is kept in the British Museum and India Office Collections at the British Library in London.
The remnants of the iron smelting furnaces of the past can be still seen in large heaps around the region along with remains of crucibles. The iron smelters community has been devoted to Goddesses Kalikamaba since ancient times, and you can still witness a rectangular metal block (an anvil, perhaps?) inside the sanctum of Kalamma Devi Temple in Sirigere.
This anvil was probably used by the blacksmith community for their metalworking activities. Even today, the blacksmith community of this region still perform pooja to the rectangular block/anvil.
The history of iron smelting in this region is truly fascinating and is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Malenadu region.
Shiva is an avid field explorer of history and the environment and is Project Field Researcher at FAIR.
Special acknowledgment to historian Ajay Kumar Sharma of Shivamogga who has unravelled Keladi’s military legacy and Bidanur rockets through diligent research and photo contributions.