Cannons in Adoor Mahalingeswara temple stand guard over centuries of history
Two centuries-old cannons discovered at the Adoor Mahalingeswara temple in Kerala have sparked historical interest. Experts believe the cannons were likely used as mobile field artillery and may predate British colonial rule in the region.
Why it matters
These artifacts provide rare physical evidence of regional military history and local manufacturing capabilities in 18th-century India.
At the ancient Adoor Mahalingeswara temple in Kasaragod district, every visit offers a journey into history. Alongside its deity, centuries-old inscriptions, and unique architecture, two old cannons preserved in the temple courtyard stand as a silent reminder of a turbulent past, adding another layer to the temple’s rich historical legacy.
The temple, located in Delampady Gram Panchayat, is already renowned for its 10th-century origins, its three-tiered Gajaprishta (elephant-back) style architecture, the famous Adoor inscription, an intricately carved Balikkal (sacrificial stone), and the Sathyakallu (oath stone). The presence of the historically significant cannons has further enhanced the site’s archaeological importance.
The cannons drew scholarly attention when Nandakumar Koroth, Head of the Department of History at Nehru Arts and Science College, Kanhangad, visited the temple to study the Adoor inscription.
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