To the Question of the Creation and Distribution of Gunpowder Weapons

The article analyzes the current state of the problem of the creation and distribution of gunpowder weapons. A brief review of publications over the past twenty is given in the article. The evolution of gunpowder in China was traced in these works. The process of taking this weapon by the Mongols was explained, and its characters were indicated. Evidence of Mongol use of gunpowder in their western campaigns was analyzed. The proliferation of gunpowder weapons in the Middle East has been traced in more detail. In particular, it was shown that the concept of «naft» began to apply mainly to powder mixtures from the 12th century. This made it possible to evaluate information about the use of «naft» by the Mongols and about the sending of shooters with «naft» from Egypt to the Golden Horde. The opinion that the Golden Horde warriors used gunpowder was firmly substantiated.