Kavisht
- Mar 6, 2023
- 5 min read

Boiling Torture Method: Inhumane Execution Method of Boiling Victim in Liquid Till He Dies

Death by boiling, also known as "boiling to death," is a brutal and inhumane method of execution in which the victim is submerged in a boiling liquid until they die. This method of execution has been used in various parts of the world throughout history, including in Europe and Asia.

The execution by boiling typically involves placing the victim in a large cauldron or a sealed kettle filled with a boiling liquid such as water, oil, tar, or tallow. Using a hook and pulley system, the victim would then be suspended over the boiling liquid. The liquid would gradually heat up, causing the victim to suffer excruciating pain as their skin blisters and peels off. The process was often slow, with the victim dying only after several hours of agonizing torture.

Origins of the Boiling Torture Method

The origins of the boiling torture method are difficult to pinpoint, as this brutal technique has been documented in various parts of the world throughout history. One of the earliest accounts of boiling as a method of execution dates back to ancient Persia, where King Shapur I is said to have boiled Roman Emperor Valerian alive in 260 AD.

The use of boiling as a method of execution was also practiced in medieval Europe, particularly during the Middle Ages, when it was used to punish individuals for a wide range of crimes, including witchcraft, treason, and heresy. In England, boiling to death was used as a punishment for poisoners. During the reign of Henry VIII, boiling was used to execute several individuals accused of plotting against the king.

In Asia, boiling as a method of execution was also practiced in various countries, including China, Japan, and Korea. In China, boiling punishes individuals for various crimes, including corruption and embezzlement. In Japan, boiling was used as a method of execution during the Edo period (1603-1868) and to punish individuals who had committed particularly heinous crimes.

Places Where Boiling Torture Method Practiced in Past

The boiling torture method has been practiced throughout history in various parts of the world, particularly in medieval Europe and Asia. Here are some of the places where boiling torture was known to have been practiced in the past:

Ancient Persia: King Shapur I of Persia is said to have boiled Roman Emperor Valerian alive in 260 AD.
Medieval Europe: Boiling was a common punishment in medieval Europe, particularly during the Middle Ages. It punishes individuals for various crimes, including witchcraft, treason, and heresy. In England, boiling to death was used as a punishment for poisoners.
Japan: Boiling was used as a method of execution in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868), particularly for individuals who had committed particularly heinous crimes.
China: Boiling was used to punish individuals for various crimes, including corruption and embezzlement. The practice was particularly prevalent during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Korea: Boiling was used as a method of execution in Korea during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), particularly for individuals who had committed treason.
India: Boiling was used as a method of execution in India during the Mughal era (1526-1857), particularly for individuals who had committed particularly heinous crimes.

How the Boiling Torture Method was Executed Step by Step

Boiling as a method of torture and execution was a gruesome and painful process. The following is a step-by-step description of how the boiling torture method was executed:

Preparation: A large vessel such as a cauldron or sealed kettle was filled with water, oil, tar, or tallow and heated until it reached boiling.
Immersion: The victim was placed into the boiling liquid using a hook and pulley system. Sometimes, the victim was tied to a chair or post before being lowered into the liquid.
Pain and suffering: As the victim was immersed in the boiling liquid, they would experience excruciating pain as their skin, and internal organs were burned. Depending on the temperature and composition of the liquid, the victim could die within a few minutes or endure prolonged suffering for several hours.
Death: Ultimately, the victim would succumb to their injuries and die from the effects of boiling, either through shock, organ failure, or a combination of both.

Using boiling as torture and execution was intended to be a cruel punishment. The process was deliberately designed to maximize the victim's suffering. It is now widely recognized as a gross violation of human rights, and it has been outlawed in most countries worldwide.

Who Received Boiling: Torture Method

The boiling torture method was typically used to punish individuals who had committed particularly heinous crimes, such as treason, murder, and witchcraft. In some cases, boiling was also used as a method of execution for political dissidents or enemies of the state.

In medieval Europe, boiling to death was used as a punishment for poisoners. In Japan, it was used to punish individuals who had committed heinous crimes, such as regicide or treason. In China, boiling was often used to punish corrupt officials or individuals who had embezzled government funds.

In some cases, boiling was also used to torture individuals to extract confessions or information. For example, during the Spanish Inquisition, boiling was used to torture accused heretics and Jews.

Overall, boiling as a method of punishment and execution was reserved for the most serious crimes and intended to serve as a deterrent to others who might consider committing similar offenses.

How Victim was Effected with Boiling Torture Method

Victims of the boiling torture method would have suffered greatly from the effects of being immersed in boiling liquid. The following are some of the effects that victims would have experienced:

Burns: The boiling liquid would have caused severe burns to the victim's skin and internal organs. The extent and severity of the burns would have depended on the temperature and composition of the liquid, as well as the length of time that the victim was immersed in it.
Pain: The victim would have experienced intense pain as the boiling liquid burned their skin and internal organs. This pain would have been excruciating and continued for as long as the victim was immersed in the liquid.

Parting Note

Boiling torture was a cruel and inhumane punishment involving immersing a victim in boiling liquid as a means of torture or execution. While it was once practiced in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas, it is now widely recognized as a gross violation of human rights and has been outlawed in most countries.

Victims of the boiling torture method would have suffered greatly from the effects of the boiling liquid, including severe burns, intense pain, shock, and organ failure. The process was deliberately designed to be a slow and painful form of punishment, and the victim's suffering was intended to continue until they died.

While the boiling torture method is now illegal and widely condemned, it is important to remember its historical significance and how it was used to punish and control individuals. By learning about the atrocities of the past, we can work to ensure that such practices are never allowed to happen again and that human rights are respected and protected for all.