Tipu Sultan’s rockets found in abandoned well in Shimoga
Shimoga: More than 1,000 rockets belonging to an 18th-century warrior king Tipu Sultan have been found by excavators in an abandoned well at Hosanagara taluk near Sagar in Shimoga.
The excavation of the open well in the Shimoga district led to the unearthing of rockets and shells stored by Tipu Sultan for use in wars, according to the state’s assistant director of archaeology.
According to archeological records, the fort area in Shimoga was part of Tipu Sultan’s kingdom. The powerful ruler was martyred in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war in 1799 after a string of victories in battle against the British East India Company.
He is credited with developing an early, indigenous rocket known as the Mysorean, a prototype of British Congreve rockets used in the Napoleonic wars.
“Excavation of the open well led to unearthing of over 1,000 corroded rockets that were stored during Tipu’s times for use in wars,” R Shejeshwara Nayaka told an International news agency.
“Digging of the dry well where its mud was smelling like gunpowder led to the discovery of the rockets and shells in a pile.”
It took three days for the 15-member team of archaeologists, excavators and labourers to unearth the armoury and ammunition. The rockets, measuring 23-26cm (9-10ins), will go on display at a museum in Shimoga.
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Pilikula zoo to welcome penguins, Asiatic lion, yellow anacondas under animal exchange initiative
Mangaluru: Pilikula Biological Park is preparing to welcome a range of new species, including an Asiatic lion, penguins, and yellow anacondas, as part of an animal exchange program.
H. Jayaprakash Bhandary, the park's director, stated that the zoo will receive a male Asiatic lion, wolves, exotic birds, and gharial crocodiles from Nandankanan Biological Park in Odisha. In return, Pilikula will send dhole (wild dog), reticulated pythons, Asian palm civets, and Brahminy kites to Nandankanan.
Additionally, penguins native to South America will be brought from Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo in Mumbai, with Pilikula providing marsh crocodiles in exchange.
Yellow anacondas will be brought from the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in Chennai, in return for Indian cobras and other venomous snakes from Pilikula.
Exotic birds from S.V. Zoological Park (Tirupati zoo), Andhra Pradesh will be exchanged for Asian palm civets and other animals.
Bhandary noted that the penguins will require a special enclosure to provide a supportive environment, which will be created with the help of CSR funds or donors. He added that the introduction of penguins will lead to an increase in the number of visitors to the zoo.
