Question

Choose the options which were contributions of the chinese in the medieval period.

1. printing machine
2. gun powder
3. the mariner's compass

• A. i only
• B. ii, iii
• C. All of these
• D. iii only

Answer 1

Answer:

C. All of these

Medieval China and the Arab world

• The Chinese invented the printing machine, gun powder, the mariner's compass (an instrument to find direction during navigation). The Europeans acquired knowledge about these from the Chinese. They were excellent in architecture too which is evident in the construction of 'pagodas', the Buddhist centres of worship.

• The significant contributions of the Arabs were in the fields of science and literature.

• 'Quitabul Hawi' written by Al Razi and 'Al Qanun' by Ibn Sina are works on medical science.

• 'Rubaiyat' of Omar Khayyam, 'Shahnama' written by Firdausi and the famous 'One Thousand and One Nights' (Arabian Nights) are literary contributions of the Arabs.

• The Arabs acquired knowledge on science and technology that originated in ancient India & propagated it in Europe. Eg: The concepts of zero and the decimal system.