Tang Gunpowder Essay

Tang dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China regarded as a thrive in science and technology that culminated in the Song Dynasty, a motive to develop a Golden Age of Chinese science . These inventions in Tang dynasty, though not applicable to the modern world, somehow set a basis for all the subsequent innovations that contributes to our modern lives. When it comes to Tang dynasty, the invention of gunpowder, one of the four great inventions of Ancient China, was indeed a pride of the Chinese as well as a breakthrough of the historical world.

Before a main recognition of gunpowder’s invention attributed to the Chinese alchemy, there had been some prior burning devices such as Greek fire. Nonetheless, the dating of gunpowder is believed to be around 850 AD for argument’s sake . It was originally created by Taoist alchemist for the purpose of seeking an elixir of immortality . Gunpowder is composed of three ingredients in varying proportion, the usual being saltpeter (potassium nitrate), 75 percent, sulfur, 10 percent, and charcoal, 15 percent . At first, the recipe of gunpowder is limited to a number of

special weapon-makers, and Chinese used the gunpowder for such a peaceful purpose as either making signal flares and fireworks or supporting in terms of medicine and alchemy . However, it started to serve for military innovation afterward, which allowed China to have a stronger and more advanced military to protect its own country. By the thirteenth century, Chinese military forces used gunpowder-based technology to against Mongol when they invaded China, and after the Mongol conquered China and founded the Yuan dynasty, they used this technology to invade many other countries.
Gunpowder was then quickly spread throughout the world via the most mysterious overland route in the history: the Silk Road. Not only did the merchants bring clothes and silken threads from China to Europe and many other parts of the world following the part of the Silk Road but they also brought a number of exotic goods including weapons. The Silk Road initially was an ancient route connecting between China and the Persian Empire, but it then took control by the Islamic in the 10th century . In the 10th century, the gunpowder was transferred to the Western region in the caravan of merchants, and Arab scientists began to study and carry out experiments with gunpowder and its applications with warfare. In the 11th century, when Europeans invaded Arabian countries, they used their newfound weapon against the Christian Troop . In the 14th century, the Arabs used gunpowder-based technology to attach the Spanish town Baza, and in 1326, Florence ordered the manufacturing of cannon and cannon balls. That Italy started to make gunpowder opened up an adaption of other European countries to use it in their military, and by the 1350s, it had become an effective weapon on the battlefield . Gunpowder therefore became one of the biggest revolutions altering the course of human history, as up until this time, European warfare was solely hand-to-hand in nature.
Gunpowder was also brought to India in the early 13th century.

After defeated China, they continue their conquest to India via the Silk Road and helped to facilitate more open trading between China and India. The Mongols brought out the knowledge of gunpowder from China to India, which led to the invention of firearms in India, and subsequently Mysorean rockets, the very first military rocket in the world. In the 17th century, India became one of the largest suppliers of saltpeter, a main ingredient of gunpowder, which expands and reinforced the trade connection between India and Europe. Besides, the knowledge of gunpowder also came to the Middle East through the Mongols invasion of Persia and later Egypt via the Silk Road, which promoted the innovation of military in this region as well as the trading relation between the Middle East with Europe and China

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The invention of gunpowder contributed to the growth of economy in both Tang and Song dynasty. The knowledge of gunpowder production was limited, and the purpose of using gunpowder in China was merely to make firework, not to either internationally trade or serve for military. The concentration, however, was on the production of the gunpowder. The amount of sulfur that Jin Zhou, the biggest regional producer during the Song and Tang dynasty, was appointed to create and distribute was roughly 200 tons . Besides, the Song dynasty also held a strict monopoly on sulfur production, and banned people living in Shanxi and Hebei from selling any product containing saltpeter and sulfure, which were two main ingredients of gunpowder . This aimed at avoiding the potential gunpowder development of territorial enemies. On the other hand, the appearance of gunpowder in Europe was expected to not only change the history of warfare but also have a great impact on the integration of territorial states and the increase in mercantilism. Ironically, because of the development in European maritime exchanges, the integration of the Mongol Empire could not be maintained, and trade declined .