The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre stands as one of the most harrowing and defining moments in the history of India’s freedom struggle. It was not just a brutal event that left hundreds dead, but also a pivotal incident that ignited widespread resistance against British colonial rule. This day is observed every year on April 13. The massacre is remembered as a stark symbol of imperial cruelty and the cost of India's eventual independence.
About Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was not just an isolated event, it was a catalyst that exposed the true nature of British imperialism in India. It united Indians across caste, creed, and class in their resolve to fight for freedom. The memory of those innocent lives lost continues to fuel the spirit of resistance and serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for India's independence.
Jallianwala Bagh is not just a memorial; it is a wound in history that continues to teach lessons of resilience, unity, and the power of standing against injustice.
History of the Massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was a horrifying incident that took place on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab. It is one of the darkest chapters in Indian history during British colonial rule. The incident took place on the auspicious day of Baisakhi, a major Punjabi festival, and thousands of people from nearby villages had come to Amritsar to celebrate. Many also gathered at Jallianwala Bagh, a walled garden near the Golden Temple, to protest peacefully against the Rowlatt Act and the arrest of two nationalist leaders, Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satya Pal.
Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, who was in charge of law and order in Amritsar, saw the gathering as an act of defiance and without any warning, he blocked the main entrance of Jallianwala Bagh with his troops and ordered them to fire on the unarmed crowd. The garden had only one narrow exit, and there was no way to escape. The soldiers fired 1,650 rounds over 10 minutes, aiming directly at the densest parts of the crowd which killed over 1,000 people killed and more than 1,500 injured.
