Development of Chemistry

Introduction

Chemistry, as we understand today, is not a very old discipline. Chemistry was not studied for it's sake, rather it came up as a result of search for interesting things:

Philosopher's stone(Paras) which would convert all baser metals e.g., iron and copper into gold.

'Elexir of Life' which would grant immortality.

People in ancient India, already had the knowledge of many scientific phenomenon much before the advent of modern science. They applied the knowledge in various walks of of life. Chemistry developed mainly in the form of Alchemy and Iatrochemistry during 1300-1600 CE. Modern chemistry took shape in the 18th century Europe, after a few centuries of alchemical traditions which were introduced in Europe by the Arabs.

Other cultures- especially the Chinese and the Indian-had theor own alchemical traditions. These included much knowledge of chemical processes and techniques.