Jaipur: Police have expanded the search for a 400-year-old historic cannon stolen from Narwar Fort in Madhya Pradesh into neighbouring Rajasthan, after investigators received information suggesting the artefact may have been moved to Hindaun in Karauli district.

The cannon, weighing around 3,500 kg and estimated to be worth Rs 3-5 crore on the international antiques black market, was stolen during the night of July 15 from the fort in Shivpuri district.

Acting on intelligence shared by the Madhya Pradesh Police, Rajasthan Police carried out an extensive search operation in Gavda Meena village, which falls under the Hindaun Sadar police station. Excavators were deployed at several suspected locations, while a specialised metal detector team from Bharatpur joined the operation.

More than 50 police personnel took part in the search under the supervision of senior police and administrative officials. Despite excavating five to six locations between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., investigators were unable to locate the missing cannon.

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Hindaun Sadar SHO Girraj Prasad said the search was launched after Shivpuri Police indicated the cannon could have been hidden in the village. Police teams from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are now jointly probing how and when the artefact was allegedly transported across the state border.

Investigators believe the theft was meticulously planned. The accused are suspected of wrapping the cannon in mattresses to prevent damage before lowering the nearly 3.5-tonne artefact from the fort using an iron trolley fitted with bearings. It was then allegedly loaded onto a transport vehicle and taken away.

Police suspect an organised international antique smuggling syndicate may be behind the theft.

Evidence collected near the fort, including heavy vehicle tyre marks and drag marks, supports the theory that specialised equipment was used to remove the cannon. The incident has also highlighted serious security shortcomings at Narwar Fort.

Although six security guards are officially assigned to the site, both guards on night duty were reportedly absent when the theft occurred. During questioning, one guard admitted he had gone home because of poor security arrangements, including the lack of lighting and accommodation, while another confessed that the initial claim of an armed robbery had been fabricated.

The stolen cannon was one of 14 historic cannons displayed in the open courtyard of Narwar Fort, dating back to the Scindia princely state. Following the theft, only 13 remain at the site.

The cannons, made of brass, bronze, copper and Ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy), feature inscriptions in Persian and Devanagari, making them valuable heritage artefacts.

A joint team from the Madhya Pradesh State Archaeology Department and the police has inspected the crime scene and recovered several key pieces of evidence, including mattresses, quilts, iron pipes and tyre marks. Investigators are examining the material to identify those responsible and trace the vehicle allegedly used to transport the cannon.

Deputy Director of the State Archaeology Department, Tarun Kumar Mahobia, described the theft as a serious incident and said both the crime and security arrangements at the fort were under investigation. Meanwhile, Narwar SHO Vinay Yadav confirmed that a case has been registered against unidentified persons, with efforts continuing to recover the stolen cannon and arrest those involved.