WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -“Gunpowder, ‘’ as it came to be known, is a mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal. Together, these materials will burn rapidly and explode as a propellant. Chinese monks discovered the technology in the 9th century CE, during their quest for a life-extending elixir.

Detailed explanation-2: -Gunpowder is the first explosive to have been developed. Popularly listed as one of the “Four Great Inventions” of China, it was invented during the late Tang dynasty (9th century) while the earliest recorded chemical formula for gunpowder dates to the Song dynasty (11th century).

Detailed explanation-3: -Another example is firearms. The Chinese invented early prototypes of firearms and cannons during the Song period (960–1279). The technology, which had become sophisticated by the end of that period, was acquired by China’s neighbours through various means, principally through contact on the battlefield.

Detailed explanation-4: -Gunpowder wasn’t developed as a military technology. The Chinese term for gunpowder is huo yao, which translates strictly to ‘fire medicine. ‘ For this reason, many scholars believe that the substance was first developed in the search for drugs.

Detailed explanation-5: -Papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass-the four great inventions of ancient China-are significant contributions of the Chinese nation to world civilization. China was the first nation to invent paper.