When we talk about the history of Amritsar, the first thing that comes in mind is the rich culture and tradition that this city is all about. From finger licking food, to colorful shopping experience, to Phulkari suits, juttis, etc Amritsar is everything bright and beautiful. The essence of Amritsar, a vibrant city in its true sense, lies in its rich cultural heritage, spirituality, and historical significance. Amritsar is known for its deep connections to Sikhism and its role in India’s freedom movement.  But, this city of Golden Temple has a dark and painful past tucked in its belly.

Let us take you to back to 1919, Vaisakhi Day. Fire was opened on innocent people who had gathered peacefully to celebrate Vaisakhi festival on April 13, 1919. It was an act of sheer hatred and cruelty.  It was Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer who ordered for this massacre. When we think about the magnitude of atrocities committed by him, it sends shivers down the spine even now. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre is one of the darkest chapters in India’s colonial history. It was a pivotal event in the country’s struggle for independence. It not only intensified anti-British sentiments but it also exposed the repressive nature of colonial governance.

All About the Dark Vaisakhi of 1919

On April 13, 1919, thousands of men, women, and children had gathered at Jallianwala Bagh. This place was a public garden in Amritsar. Some had come to celebrate Vaishaki and then there were some who were peacefully protesting the arrest of their leaders and the oppressive Rowlatt Act. The date also coincided with the Baisakhi festival. It is a major Sikh holiday, and so additional people had come to the city to celebrate the festival.

Without warning, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer arrived at the scene with a contingent of 90 soldiers. Dyer had imposed strict martial law measures. There was a ban on public gatherings. A lot of people who were there were unaware of this ban. Upon arriving at Jallianwala Bagh, he ordered his troops to block the main entrance of the enclosed garden and. He did not issue any kind of warning, and commanded his men to open fire on the unarmed crowd.

For 10 minutes, the soldiers fired 1,650 rounds directly into the dense crowd. Dyer later claimed that his intent was not to disperse the gathering, but to “punish” the people of Amritsar. With only one narrow exit and no means to escape, many people were shot while trying to flee or seeking refuge by jumping into a well located within the garden. Historical records suggest that at least 379 people were killed in this brutal firing act. However, this is not true. Around 1000 people were killed and so many more injured. The trauma that this incident left on the minds of people was unimaginable.

Aftermath and Reaction

The immediate aftermath of the massacre was a mix of shock, outrage, and sorrow. General Dyer was criticized both by Indian leaders and sections of the British establishment. However, there were many in Britain who considered him as a hero. There were attempts by the British colonial government to downplay the massacre, but then it became impossible to ignore the widespread anger and grief this incident had caused across the country.

The Hunter Commission, was set up by the British to investigate the incident. It condemned Dyer’s actions, but then he faced no formal punishment. Instead, he was allowed to retire, and some British imperialists even celebrated what all he had done. His lack of remorse deepened the Indian people’s resentment toward colonial rule in a big way.

Impact on the Indian Independence Movement

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre marked a turning point in India’s struggle for freedom. The brutality of the event shattered any remaining trust Indians had in British governance, pushing millions of moderate nationalists toward more radical approaches. Among those deeply affected was Mahatma Gandhi, who, in response to the massacre, shifted his strategy from a plea for fairness to a full demand for independence. Gandhi’s call for non-cooperation with the British government in 1920 set the stage for India’s eventual independence.

The massacre also motivated sveral Indian leaders to take bolder actions. Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Laureate, renounced his knighthood in protest, and Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, and other prominent figures became more vocally committed to independence. It unified different sections of Indian society against British rule, fostering a stronger sense of national identity.

All about Rowlatt Act

In the lead-up to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, India was in the middle of huge political unrest. The Rowlatt Act, which was officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, was a highly repressive law that was passed by the British colonial government in India. Now, this act allowed the British authorities to arrest and imprison individuals suspected of sedition without trial. So the main aim was to curb the civil liberties. The independence movement was in full swing and so the target was to suppress it.

This law was deeply unpopular, as it effectively censored civil liberties as well as political activism. There were widespread protests across India, particularly in Punjab. Back in those days Punjab was a hotbed of nationalist activity.

In Amritsar, there were protests against the arrest of two prominent leaders; Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew., Both of these leaders were advocates for civil rights and self-rule. As tensions mounted, the city was placed under martial law. The residents of the city didn’t pay heed to the ban on public gatherings and gathered to celebrate Vaisakhi festival. And what followed afterwards, the whole world is aware of the same.

Jallianwala Bagh massacre is one of the most infamous outcomes of the protests against the Rowlatt Act. This massacre became a defining moment in India’s struggle for independence and highlighted the brutal consequences of the Rowlatt Act.

Marshal Law

Following the passage of the Rowlatt Act, there were widespread protests across Punjab. The colonial government responded with extreme force, and martial law was declared in several parts of the region, including Amritsar, Lahore, and Gujranwala. The martial law measures included public floggings, forced labor, and the “crawling order” on streets, where Indians had to crawl on their bellies as a form of humiliation. These harsh measures outraged the Indian populace and intensified demands for freedom. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre exposed the brutal and arbitrary nature of martial law, shocking the nation and the world.

Martial law was a symbol of colonial repression and injustice. Its repeated imposition in response to peaceful protests and nationalist movements reflected the British Empire’s reliance on force to maintain control over India.

Martial law was a tool of oppression that backfired on the British colonial government. Instead of quelling dissent, it often intensified the Indian struggle for freedom, uniting the people against injustice and ultimately contributing to the collapse of British rule in India

Memorialization

Jallianwala Bagh remains a powerful symbol of colonial oppression and Indian resistance. Today, it is a national memorial, and visitors can still see the bullet marks on the walls and the Martyrs’ Well, where many jumped to escape the gunfire. The site stands as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made in the quest for freedom. You can book Amritsar heritage walking tours to visit this place. The tours are well planned and it will take you inside the heart of Amritsar.

Can you imagine that if we talk about Jallianwala Bagh massacre, it continues to evoke strong emotions, even now? Though Britain has expressed regret for the incident, there has never been a formal apology, and it remains a subject of historical reckoning. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre is not just a reminder of a brutal past but a testament to the resilience and strength of the Indian people in their pursuit of freedom. You can a take a Guided tour of Jallianwala Bagh with Walk and Explore. You will get to know more about the the Indian history and contribution of freedom fighters who get martyred for nation.