Mughal era gunpowder holder This 17th-century zoomorphic priming flask, with intricately carved animals, was made from ivory. These small vessels were used to hold fine-grained gunpowder for priming the main charge in a firearm. (more) gunpowder empires Written by Shatarupa Chaudhuri Shatarupa Chaudhuri is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica, bringing over 15 years of editorial experience in news media and publishing. Shatarupa Chaudhuri Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 2, 2026 •History What started with firecrackers and signal flares became an explosive force that played a significant role in shaping world politics and history. Believed to have originated in China about 900 ce, the first known gunpowder, called black powder, was a turning point in innovation. Over the next few centuries the Chinese developed a proto-gun that channeled the power of gunpowder through a cylinder, and the explosive substance gradually spread westward for both military and industrial...

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