Question

4. How did technology impact the Gunpowder Empires of Western, Central, and South Asia during the 15th through 19th centuries? In this essay, you need to look at the development, importation, and utilization of technology, or the lack of doing this, during the period in question. You need to pick two (2) or three (3) technologies used or lacked by these empires and give specific details on how those technologies helped or hindered the growth of these empires. Use examples from the text and the class lectures to support your answers.

Answer 1

The phrase" GUN POWDER EMPIRES " was given by Marshall G.S.Hodgson & William H .Mc Neil .In the 15th and 16th centuries, the three great powers arose in a band across western and southern Asia. The Ottoman, Safavid, & Mughal dynasties made a control over Turkey, Iran, &India , in large part due to a Chinese invention - GUN POWDER

The successes of the western empires depended on advanced firearms & cannons. As a result, they are called the "Gunpowder Empires." The gunpowder empires monopolized the manufacture of guns and artillery in the areas. The use of the weapons was integral to their military tactics.

The Ottoman Empire in Turkey : The Ottoman Empire in Turkey was first established in 1299, kept on conquering armies of Timur the Lame in 1402. The Ottoman rulers were able to drive out the Timurids & re -establish their control of Turkey in 1414.The Ottomans used artillery & had the best trained infantry force in the world .As Artillery & infantry were decisive in the battle of Varna against acrusader force.

The Ottoman Empire lost its technological edge, it survived until the end of the First World War (1914 - 1918).

By 1700, the Ottoman Empire extended across three-quarters of the Mediterranean Sea coast, controlled the Red Sea, & the entire coast of the Black Sea, had significant ports on the Caspian Sea & the Persian Gulf.

All three empires were also centers of great cultural achievements.l& all based on Islam .

The Safavid Empire of Persia was a gunpowder empire that setup byIsmāīl I in the early sixteenth century. , Shah Abbās used the help of an English soldier-of-fortune to help him reorganize &train his army. He then went on to expand &solidify empire.

Medieval technology was usedin the century change in the rate of new inventions& nnovations in the ways of managing traditional means of production,&conomic growth. The period saw major technologica advances, including the adoption of gunpowder, the invention of vertical windmills, spectacles, mechanical clocks, and greatly improved water mills, building techniques for eg architecture, medieval castles,

Medieval inventions changed the world was the invention of MECHANICAL CLOCK ,Timekeeping devices emerged since the ancient world, but it was not until the Middle Ages that the technology was invented that allowed for mechanical clocks to accurately keep track of time.

Many inventions were carried our during the period of Renaissance were of great importance as 1) Barometer 2) parachute Thermoscope 4) Anemometer & Armored car. All these helped as it saved lot of time , the clock was of agreat use as all the events were carried out in a pecfic time & a great value in war periods.

iIn 15th century The German engineer Konrad Kyeser invented the Archimedes' screw with a crank mechanism which soon replaces the ancient practice of working the pipe by treading.