Odd News

Centuries-old gunpowder found in tower

Published: Dec. 21, 2012 at 12:38 PM

JAISALMER, India, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Authorities in India said more than 3,306 pounds of gunpowder thought to be more than 500 years old was discovered in a long-closed tower.

Chandra Prakash Vyas, chairman of the Jaisalmer Vikas Samiti organization, said crews performing repair work on the tower, which is near the the Jain temple in the Sonar fort of Jaisalmer, discovered the gunpowder Wednesday, the Times of India reported Friday.

Vyas said the tower has been closed for several centuries and local authorities are seeking the army's help to destroy the gunpowder.

Historian Nand Kishore Sharma said the gunpowder may date back to 1550 when cannons were first used in the area.

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