Bibi Mariam: the Cannon of Dhaka

The Canon which used to sit at the corner of Gulistan, was a landmark which is remembered by many still. The younger generation have not had the opportunity to see it as often as the older generation. As it is now placed at the entrance of Osmani Uddyan, Ramna, Dhaka. This cannon was built by local technicians on the order of Mir Jumla II, who was appointed as Governor of Bengal by Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. He ordered two cannons to be built named Bibi Marium and Kale Jamjam also known as Kale Khan. One was given a female name and the other a male. They were placed both sides of the Buriganga Riverin Swarighat in front of 'Barakatra' and the other on a sandbar near Jinjira. They were placed there to defend Dhaka's waterfront from frequent attacks of the Mogh and Arakan pirates. 

Jumla took both of these cannons when he attacked Assam. They were later placed in front of the Bara Katra to ward off Arkanese Pirates. The Bibi Mariam survived, but its male named counterpart was lost. In the middle of the 18th century, Kale Jamjam was devoured by river Buriganga. It sank due to the river erosion somewhere between Swarighat and Jinjira. It is said with a hint of superstition that a roar can be heard often by the neighborhood coming from the direction of the river calling for its partner Bibi Mariam.

British Collector Mr. Walter salvaged Bibi Mariam from falling into the river at Swarighat in 1832 and placed it at Chawkbazar in the main square.


Thi photo of the cannon Bibi Mariam at Chawkbazar was taken by Johnston and Hoffman 1880. 

Bibi Mariam is 17’-6” long, maximum outer diameter at rear is 2’-2” and at mouth 2-6” with 6"dia. barrel hole. In 1917, the director of National Museum of Dhaka made an attempt to shift the cannon from Chawkbazar, and at a later stage it was installed at Sadarghat river bank on masonry platform. Local people, especially the Hindu women used to pay tribute to this cannon by offering milk, flowers and vermilion (sindur) daily on the belief that the cannon was an icon of power. After partition of India, in 1957, Dhaka Improvement Trust with the aid of Army engineers moved the cannon to crown the road junction of new DIT Avenue and Jinnah Avenue (now Bangabandhu Avenue) facing Gulistan cinema hall.
Bibi Mariam at Gulistan corner

In late ‘80s the place became too crowded and the cannon was shifted to its present site in Osmani Uddyan.

Bibi Marium at Osmani Uddyan


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