Have you ever visited a history museum or a battlefield with your school, when the teacher would give you a cannonball to hold and demonstrate how heavy it was, describing the sounds of battles and explosions in the open field? These experiences encouraged people to think, and provided a glimpse into our history and the physical reminders of conflicts that defined a country.
Cannonballs, the huge iron balls that used to roll out of the barrels of cannons, are typical relics of warfare of earlier centuries. Its basic yet effective structure was instrumental in battles from the medieval period up to the 19th century. Made from solid or hollow iron, these round shaped projectiles were used to knock down walls, disperse the enemies and to pierce through the sides of the enemy ships.
Cannonballs provide a rich understanding of how wars have been fought and the technologies used in the course of history. Every cannonball found or conserved today has a tale of ancient battles and the unrelenting search for military improvement. They were not just weapons of the warfare but also means that played a role in determining the fate of major battles and thus history. Their application and evolution offer an interesting insight into the creativity and adaptability of the military engineers of the past.
To those who collect antiques, an old cannonball is a precious find, a piece that tells a story of great history. People keep these artifacts as trophies for their historical value and the tales that are told by the rust marks on the items. But it is important that collectors do not mishandle these pieces as some of the older cannonballs may still contain unexploded explosives
Thinking about the cannonball, we recall that people are capable of both dеstruсtiоn and innovation. Nowadays, as we showcase these relics in museums or preserve them as antiques, they become sources of information and topics for discussion that can pique the curiosity of people and make them more aware of history.
In conclusion, whether one considers cannonballs to be valuable collectibles or relics of the past, they remind us to look into the past to learn more about our forebears’ victories and tribulations. They urge people to protect and cherish the culture and history so that the coming generations may be able to understand and feel it as we do.
Father who killed his 10-year-old daughter attacked in prison
The horrific murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif shocked the world, sparking outrage against her father, Urfan Sharif, who later confessed to the brutal killing of his young daughter.
However, the tragic story did not end with the horrifying abuse that led to Sara’s death. The disturbing details continue, as justice took an unexpected turn behind bars.
Once imprisoned, news of Urfan’s crimes quickly spread among fellow inmates. The convicted child killer soon found himself the target of vigilante justice at the hands of other prisoners.
On August 8, 2023, the world was devastated by the heartbreaking news of Sara Sharif’s death. The young girl had endured a two-year-long “campaign of torture” before her body was discovered at the family home in Woking, Surrey. According to BBC reports, she had been hooded, burned, and beaten.
Upon arriving at the scene, police found Sara’s lifeless body on a bunk bed alongside a handwritten confession from her father, which read: “Whoever sees this note, it’s me, Urfan Sharif, who killed my daughter by beating. I am running away because I am scared.” He further claimed, “I swear to God that my intention was not to kill her. But I lost it.”
Shockingly, the day before Sara’s body was discovered, Urfan, along with two other family members, fled to Pakistan.
Following a weeks-long international manhunt, Urfan Sharif, 42, his brother Faisal Malik, 29, and his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, were arrested and charged in connection with Sara’s tragic death.
‘She Died Because of Me’
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Sara had suffered over 70 injuries, including fractures to her ribs, shoulder blades, and spine, a puncture wound to the head, traumatic brain injury, burns from a domestic iron, and human bite marks.
Initially, all three suspects denied involvement. However, in court, Urfan Sharif changed his stance and admitted, “She died because of me.”
On December 17, 2024, Sharif was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years. Batool received a life sentence with a minimum of 33 years. Malik was sentenced to 16 years for causing or allowing the death of a child. During sentencing, Mr. Justice Cavanagh condemned their actions as “a campaign of torture” marked by “almost inconceivable cruelty.”
Sara’s mother, Olga Domin, described the perpetrators as “sadists” and “executioners” in a statement read in court. Addressing her daughter, she said, “She is now an angel who looks down on us from heaven. She is no longer experiencing violence.”
Prison Justice
Once inside South London’s HMP Belmarsh—dubbed “Britain’s Guantanamo Bay”—Sharif quickly became a marked man. In prison, crimes against children are considered the lowest offense, and Urfan’s reputation made him a target.
According to sources, Sharif attempted to keep a low profile, but his past soon caught up with him. On New Year’s Day, just weeks into his life sentence, he was ambushed by two inmates wielding a makeshift weapon— a jagged tuna can lid.
“Urfan was badly sliced up in his cell,” an insider revealed. “The attack was planned, and he suffered serious wounds to his neck and face. He was lucky to survive, required stitches, and will have permanent scars as a reminder of the attack.”
Prison guards had been trying to protect him, knowing he had a target on his back due to the high-profile nature of his case. “An attack was only a matter of time,” the source added. “Many inmates feel justice was served.”
One of Urfan’s suspected attackers is reportedly Steve Sansom, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence for killing and dismembering 38-year-old Sarah Mayhew in 2024. Sansom was previously convicted in 1999 for the murder of cab driver Terrence Boyle, 59.
What are your thoughts on the attack against Urfan Sharif in prison? Share your opinions and let us know what you think!
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