History of ancient Chinese gunpowder and firearms

Author: Liu Xu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: The gunpowder of ancient China was invented over a thousand years ago during the alchemical process and has a close relationship with traditional Chinese medicine. This invention underwent a long process. This book explores the emergence times, research and development processes, theoretical writings, and the westward and eastward spread as well as the rise and decline of gunpowder and firearm technology, filling the gaps in the relatively weak history of ancient science and technology in China. Gunpowder is one of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China, and China was also at the forefront of using gunpowder to create weapons for military purposes. The spread of Chinese gunpowder and firearm technology to the West influenced and propelled the development of military technology in other countries. However, after the Ming and Qing dynasties, the research and development of Chinese gunpowder and firearm technology stagnated, and China fell far behind Europe and America. Based on extensive historical research and drawing on a large number of domestic and international research findings, the author traces the development of ancient Chinese gunpowder and firearm technology, exploring the emergence times, research and development processes, usage, theoretical writings, as well as the westward and eastward spread and the rise and decline of gunpowder and firearm technology. The author presents their own views on controversial academic topics, addressing the shortcomings in the study of ancient science and technology history in China, particularly in the history of gunpowder and firearm technology.