Ottoman gunpowder manufacturing in the 16th century in Hungary: the Budin Powder Mill

Abstract

One of the most important characteristics of the Ottoman State was that it did not run the areas it conquered with a colonising mentality. In all conquered areas it made investments suitable to local conditions or existing useful institutions were maintained. Most of these investments had a social or military function. For example, the Budin Powder Mill manufactured gunpowder to be used by military forces in Hungary for many years. Agoston underlined the importance of this institution in his article. Even though the subject of the article is a single powder mill, it contains also useful information on Ottoman military history and gunpowder manufacturing.