Thread.

A burst of light & thunder in the sky. Firecrackers are a joyful sight to behold for any individual-young or old. Fireworks are synonymous with the East, with what the West describes as the Orient. Fireworks are an inseparable part of the Chinese & Hindu civilisations.
Earliest firecrackers were invented in ancient China. During the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD), people threw bamboo stems into a fire to produce an explosion with a loud sound. In later times, gunpowder packed into small containers was used to mimic these sounds.
These exploding firecrackers were known as baozhu (爆竹) or baogan (爆竿). By the 12th century, the term baozhang (爆仗) was used to specifically refer to gunpowder firecrackers. During the Song dynasty (960–1279), firecrackers became available for purchase by common public.
Invention of firecrackers is believed to have happened at the hands a monk called Li Tian almost a 1000 years ago. He was from the city of Liuyang in Hunan Province, China. This area is still to this day the largest producer of fireworks anywhere in the world.
During the Song Dynasty, a temple was built to worship Li Tian & the people of China still celebrate the invention of the firecracker every April 18th by offering sacrifices to Li Tian and setting off fireworks.

Pic:Temple of Li Tian
Fireworks were produced in Europe by the 14th century, becoming popular by the 17th century. Lev Izmailov, ambassador of Peter the Great, once reported from China: "They make such fireworks that no one in Europe has ever seen."
Fireworks were popularized in Britain during the rule of Queen Elizabeth I. Shakespeare mentions them in his plays. Queen created a position of "Fire Master of England" & King James II was so pleased with the fireworks display at his coronation, that he knighted his Fire Master.
Abdur Razzaq, ambassador to the court of the Vijayanagar king Devaraya II in 1443, described the events of Mahanavami festival, “One cannot without entering into great detail mention all the various kinds of pyrotechny & squibs & various other arrangements which were exhibited”.
Manufacturing formulas for fireworks describing pyrotechnic mixtures are found within Kautukachintamani, a Sanskrit volume by Gajapati Prataparudradeva (1497-1539), the Great King of Odisha. .
Peshwayanchi Bakhar, a Maratha chronicle text, mentions a recounted account of Diwali celebration in the Kotah (modern Kota, Rajasthan). Mahadji Scindia in it describes to Peshwa Savai Madhavarao:
“The Divali festival is celebrated for 4 days at Kota, when lacs of lamps are lighted. The Raja of Kota during these 4 days gives a display of fire-works outside the premises of his capital. It is called … “Lanka of fire-works”.
“The Divali festival is celebrated for 4 days at Kota, when lacs of lamps are lighted. The Raja of Kota during these 4 days gives a display of fire-works outside the premises of his capital. It is called … “Lanka of fire-works”.
“The Divali festival is celebrated for 4 days at Kota, when lacs of lamps are lighted. The Raja of Kota during these 4 days gives a display of fire-works outside the premises of his capital. It is called … “Lanka of fire-works”.
The first fireworks factory in India was set up in Kolkata in the nineteenth century. After Independence, Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu emerged as India’s Firecracker hub, benefitting from the restrictions of imports of firecrackers.
The first fireworks factory in India was set up in Kolkata in the nineteenth century. After Independence, Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu emerged as India’s Firecracker hub, benefitting from the restrictions of imports of firecrackers.
The first fireworks factory in India was set up in Kolkata in the nineteenth century. After Independence, Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu emerged as India’s Firecracker hub, benefitting from the restrictions of imports of firecrackers.
The first fireworks factory in India was set up in Kolkata in the nineteenth century. After Independence, Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu emerged as India’s Firecracker hub, benefitting from the restrictions of imports of firecrackers.
The first fireworks factory in India was set up in Kolkata in the nineteenth century. After Independence, Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu emerged as India’s Firecracker hub, benefitting from the restrictions of imports of firecrackers.
As we approach another Diwali, Hindus will be force fed another set of bland arguments by Courts, Environmental NGOs and the deracinated leadership. 'Protestantism with Indian Characteristics' will be upheld as a virtue to save environment.
This is just a small part of the price we pay for giving up our age old traditions: https://twitter.com/Vedic_Revival/status/1319819325482610688?s=20
Without fireworks, there will be no light in Deepawali & temple festivals of Kerela would not be the same happening affair as before. Fire, in author & historian Jack Kelly’s words, “ignites our dreams and anxieties” & speaks to humans “in a language more basic than thought”.
If the US can continue its July 4 fireworks tradition, if the Chinese can organise fireworks on every Chinese New Year, what is stopping India from upholding our customs. This is a metric which shows limits of our soft power. A Govt cowed down by NGOs is worse than anarchy. END.
Addendum:

Company painting from 1830 showing a Shiavite temple Procession in Tanjore(Thanjavur), illuminated by fireworks and torches; the crowd in the foreground includes a firework seller.

https://twitter.com/SriVkrm/status/1319930740591579136?s=20
Addendum 2:

More paintings of fireworks. This time murals from Thyagaraja Swamy Temple. Very beautiful paintings. https://twitter.com/SriVkrm/status/1319944941225717760?s=20
Addendum 3:

Maharana Ari Singh of Mewar Attending Celebrations in his Palace at Night. Bhima Ram, Kesu Ram. 1764. Notice the fireworks in bottom right side. Totally unrelated to the news linked below. Just enjoy the painting.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1320229899433472000?s=20
Addendum 4:

Krishna and Radha Enjoying a Feast and Fireworks. Rajasthan, Kishangarh, early 19th century.

Photo courtesy: Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1321423570170384384?s=20
Addendum 5:

Extremely important proof of use of fireworks in the wedding procession of प्रभु श्री राम from आनंद रामायण, a 15th century Sanskrit text. Thanks to @SriVkrm for bringing this to my attention.

#SayYesToCrackers
#SupportSivakasiCrackers https://twitter.com/Aadii009/status/1322067546409897984?s=20
Addendum 6:

Please note. Bursting of crackers is not for show or fun, but has a deep religious significance. It is means to show pathway to our पितृ on their return journey.

#SayYesToCrackers
#SupportSivakasiCrackers https://twitter.com/sridatta_a/status/1322093688600760320?s=20
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