Java arquebus: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:36, 10 February 2020

Revision as of 18:54, 10 February 2020

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== Etymology ==

The term "Java arquebus" is a translation of [[Chinese language|Chinese]] word 爪哇銃 (Zua Wa Chong).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Tiaoyuan|first=Li|title=South Vietnamese Notes|publisher=Guangju Book Office|year=1969}}</ref> In local language the weapon was known by various names, bedil or bedhil is more commonly used. However, this term has a broad meaning - it may refer to various type of [[Firearm|firearmsfirearm]]s and gunpowder weapon, from small [[matchlock]] pistol to large [[siege guns]]. The term ''bedil'' comes from ''wedil'' or ''wediyal'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Kern|first=H.|date=January 1902|title=Oorsprong van het Maleisch Woord Bedil|url=|journal=Bijdragen tot de taal-, land- en volkenkunde / Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences of Southeast Asia|volume=54|pages=311-312311–312|via=}}</ref> In its original form, these words refer to gunpowder or gunpowder explosion. But after being absorbed into ''bedil'' in [[Malay language|Malay]], and in a number of other cultures in the archipelago, that Tamil vocabulary is used to refer to all types of firearms that use gunpowder. In [[Javanese language|Javanese]] the term ''balin'' is known, in [[Sundanese language|Sundanese]] the term is ''bedil'', in [[Batak languages|Batak]] it is known as ''bodil'', in [[Makassarese language|Makasarese]], ''badili'', in [[Buginese language|Buginese]], ''balili'', in [[Dayak language]], ''badil'', in [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]], ''baril'', and Malay people call it ''bedil''.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jantungmelayu.com/2018/08/kitab-ilmu-bedil-melayu/|title=Kitab Ilmu Bedil Melayu|last=Syahri|first=Aswandi|date=6 August 2018|website=Jantung Melayu|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

== History ==

The knowledge of making gunpowder-based weapon in Nusantara archipelago has been known after the failed [[Mongol invasion of Java]] (1293 A.D.).<ref>Song Lian. [[History of Yuan]].</ref> This resulted in the development of small swivel guns such as [[cetbang]] and [[lantaka]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite book|last=Ooi|first=Keat Gin|title=Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2004|isbn=9781576077702|___location=|pages=}}</ref> However the knowledge of making firearms came much later, after the middle of 15th century. It was brought by the [[Islam|Islamic]]ic nations of West Asia, most probably the [[Arabs]]. The precise year of introduction is unknown, but it may be safely concluded to be no earlier than 1460.<ref name=":2" />

=== Java ===

The kingdom of [[Majapahit]] pioneered the use of firearm in the Nusantara archipelago. One account mentions the use of firearm in a battle against Giri forces in 1470s:<blockquote>"... ''wadya Majapahit ambedili, dene wadya Giri pada pating jengkelang ora kelar nadhahi tibaning mimis'' ..."

"... Majapahit troops shooting their firearms (''bedil''=firearm), while Giri troops fell dead because they couldn't withstand being pierced by bullets (''mimis''=ball bullet)..."

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The Portuguese found various gunpowder weapons after the [[Capture of Malacca (1511)|1511 conquest of Malacca]]. It is known that the Malays of Malacca obtained arms from Java.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Crawfurd|first=John|title=A Descriptive Dictionary of the Indian Islands and Adjacent Countries|publisher=Bradbury and Evans|year=1856|isbn=|___location=|pages=}}</ref>

[[Joao de Barros]] desrcibed a scene of the conquest in ''Da Asia'':<ref>{{Cite book|last=de Barros|first=João|title=Primeira decada da Asia|publisher=|year=1552|isbn=|___location=Lisboa|pages=}}</ref><blockquote>"As soon as the junk had passed the sand-bank and had come to an anchor, a short way from the bridge, the Moorish artillery opened a fire on her. Some guns discharged leadballs at intervals, which passed through both sides of the vessel, doing much execution among the crew. In the heat of the action Antonio d'Abreu, the commander, was struck in the cheek from a fusil, carrying off the greater number of his teeth." </blockquote>The matchlocks that shoot through both sides of their vessel, had very long barrel and were 18 &nbsp;mm in caliber.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/fine-malay-matchlock-musket|title=Fine Malay matchlock musket {{!}} Mandarin Mansion|website=www.mandarinmansion.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref>

Historian Fernão Lopes de Castanheda mentions matchlocks (espingardao), he says that they threw balls, some of stone, and some of iron covered with lead.<ref>{{Cite book|last=de Castanheda|first=Fernão Lopes|title=História do descobrimento & conquista da India pelos portugueses|publisher=|year=1552|isbn=|___location=Coimbra|pages=}}</ref> The son of [[Afonso de Albuquerque]] mentioned the armament of Malacca: There are large matchlocks, poisoned blowing tubes, bows, arrows, armour-plated dresses, Javanese lances, and other sorts of weapons.<ref>{{Cite book|last=The son of Afonso de Albuquerque|first=|title=Comentários de Afonso de Albuquerque|publisher=|year=1557|isbn=|___location=Lisboa|pages=}}</ref>

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== References ==

{{Reflist}}{{Early firearms}}

[[Category:Early firearms]]

[[Category:Indonesian inventions]]