The discoveries made in an extreme antiquity by scientists or just observant people become habitual maintenance of the ordinary eventually. So occurred and with gunpowder — the structure which was once striking with ignition force is tamed, is made in large numbers, has a set of versions and surprises nobody with the existence any more.
One of the main components of gunpowder — potassium saltpeter, the substance known to the contemporary who is not interested in chemistry as E252 additive-preservative. Fields its in the form of mineral of the nitrokalit are widespread in two regions of the planet — in the East Indies and in Chile. Behind prescription of years authentic data on the place and time of emergence of gunpowder are lost. However versions of the birth of wonderful structure exist — Chinese, Indian and European. It is about the very first type of the most ancient explosive mix — black or smoky gunpowder.
Chinese version of emergence of gunpowder
The ancient Chinese treatises dated the 5th century narrate about use of nitrate potassium in various combinations to sulfur — the second main component of gunpowder — for preparation of drugs. Already later in alchemical Chinese texts data on ways of purification of saltpeter, on use of mix appeared in fireworks, awareness of expediency of use of the magic structure complemented with charcoal in military operations afterwards came. Thanks to China the production of gunpowder was developed by Indians. To Europe knowledge of wonderful powder was brought by Arabs (Moors) who conquered Spain in the 8th century. However, Europeans assert the rights for independent discovery of gunpowder.
Indian version of emergence of gunpowder
Supporters of "the Indian version" consider that not China opened for Indians wonderful properties of gunpowder, and, on the contrary, process went in the opposite direction. Among arguments the legend of the fight of the great tsar Ashoka ruling in the 3rd century BC which terminated in an impressive victory thanks to knowledge of gunpowder and its properties is given. There is a legend of unsuccessful attempt of a siege of one of the Indian cities by Alexander of Macedon's troops: they were prostrate in panic flight, escaping from firing by powder rockets. Researchers also pay attention to a mention of gunpowder in "Mahabharata". It is necessary to tell that for the Chinese and Indian option there are prerequisites, in literal sense "lying on a surface". Making fire on an old campfire near the field of potash saltpeter, people observed heavy flash and intensive burning: mix of saltpeter and charcoal from a former fire worked.
Europe and gunpowder
The West came to opening and use of black (smoky) gunpowder considerably after the East. At sources European a porokhodeliya history which is sweeping aside "the Arab trace" marked out two persons — the scientist and the philosopher Roger Bacon and the monk Berthold Schwartz, respectively in the second half to the XIII and first half of the 14th century. The description of gunpowder was placed in one of Bacon's compositions, however then Europe ignored so valuable information. Approximately in half a century after Englishman Bacon, irrespective of him, gunpowder during chemical experiments accidentally was invented by the German — the Franciscan monk Berthold Schwartz (Black). In any case, the legend so says. In the 14th century the invention did not remain without practical application, and the name of Berthold Schwartz is connected in the history not only with discovery of gunpowder, but also with the invention of the weapon using power of gunpowder. East games with fireworks did not even occur, gunpowder force was directed to the military course at once.