The Counterweight Trebuchet vs. Traction Trebuchet
Two main types existed:
- Traction Trebuchet: Powered by people pulling ropes to swing the arm. This older design was simpler but less powerful.
- Counterweight Trebuchet: Used a heavy counterweight for greater force and range.
tone-throwing siege engines also developed independently or in parallel in Asia.
Ancient and Medieval Chinese Siege Engines
China has a long history of siege warfare and mechanical invention.
- Early Chinese Catapults: By the Warring States period (475-221 BCE), the Chinese were using traction trebuchets.
- Advancements: During the Song dynasty (960–1279 CE), the Chinese perfected the counterweight trebuchet, possibly influenced by contact with the Islamic world.
- Gunpowder and Transition: Eventually, the Chinese transitioned to gunpowder weapons, but trebuchets remained important during the earlier periods.
Indian Subcontinent
In India, siege engines were also used, although detailed records are sparser.
- Medieval Indian armies used a variety of catapults and mechanical devices to assault forts.
- Some historians suggest influence from Central Asian and Islamic engineering traditions. shutdown123