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: -Papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass-the four great inventions of ancient China-are significant contributions of the Chinese nation to world civilization.

Detailed explanation-3: -In Chinese, gunpowder is called huo yao, meaning flaming medicine.

Detailed explanation-4: -While trying to discover a potion of immortality, Chinese alchemists of the Tang Dynasty accidentally discovered saltpeter, the main ingredient of gunpowder. Upon further experimentation, saltpeter was combined with charcoal and sulfur.