This is a timeline of the history of gunpowder and related topics such as weapons, warfare, and industrial applications.
The timeline covers the history of gunpowder from the first hints of its origin as a Taoist alchemical product in China until its replacement by smokeless powder in the late 19th century (from 1884 to the present day).
The ancestor of firearms, the fire lance, also appears, but its usage in the 10th century is uncertain and no textual evidence for it exists during this period.
The Song court restricts trade of gunpowder ingredients with the Liao and Western Xia dynasties.
The Mongols spread gunpowder weaponry to Japan, Southeast Asia, and possibly the Middle East as well as Europe.
Earliest recorded instance of volley fire with gunpowder weaponry, by the Ming dynasty.
The rest of the world catches up quickly and most of Eurasia acquires gunpowder weapons by the second half of the 14th century.
Major developments: Large-calibre artillery weighing several thousand kg are produced in Europe during the early 15th century and spread to the Ottoman Empire.
Modifiable two wheeled gun carts known as limbers and caissons appear, greatly improving the mobility of artillery.
Major developments: Matchlock firearms spread throughout Eurasia, reaching China and Japan by the mid-16th century.
The volley fire technique is implemented using matchlock firearms by the Ottomans, Ming dynasty, and Dutch Republic by the end of the century.
The arquebus is replaced by its heavier variant called the musket to combat heavily armoured troops.
Major developments: Flintlocks completely displace matchlock firearms in Europe both on land and at sea.