So why did the Brits choose this method? Well, it seems it was more effective as a deterrent, more public and more “humane” than flogging to death which had been the norm previously. And it wasn’t a practice that the Brits used sparingly either, it was a pretty regular occurrence. As an example, in 1871,  65 members of a Sikh sect were executed by the military by being blown from guns. In the Great Rebellion of 1857 there were at least 44 cases just between the months of May and September.

It seems a pretty bizarre way of ending someone’s life, but I can imagine it really was a good deterrent and I also imagine it was pretty effective. Apparently the smell of burning human flesh wasn’t too pleasant though.

Blowing from the gun has all but disappeared, we have much more modern ways of destroying people now. Also, it’s a real bugger to try and find a good, working cannon on eBay these days.

☛ Read Now: Capital Punishment in England: The Bloody Code