Karkala: More than 100 medieval cannonballs found at construction site

Team Udayavani, Dec 4, 2022, 12:46 PM IST

Karkala: More than 100 cannonballs were reportedly found during the construction work on a private plot in front of a government hospital here, where Karkala Fort once stood.

Round cannonballs of various sizes made from rocks, weighing about half a kilogram to one kilogram, were found during the excavation for building a commercial center. Such cannonballs were used during the medieval period as artillery projectiles.

The recently found cannonballs are suspected to be from the time of the Ikkeri Nayakas who reigned over Karakala Kote (fort). The fort was later captured by Tippu Sultan. Thereafter the British took control of it. However, a detailed study is required to pinpoint the origin of the projectiles found at the site.

As soon as the news spread, Karkala Taluk Tahsildar in charge Purandara Hegde reportedly visited the spot and collected information.