Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: 13 April, 1919

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, also known as the Amritsar Massacre, took place on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab, India. This tragic event remains one of the darkest chapters in the history of Indian independence struggle against British rule.

Background:
- During this time, India was under British colonial rule, and there was growing discontent among the Indian population.
- The Rowlatt Act, passed by the British government in 1919, allowed for the arrest and detention of Indians without trial.
- The Act was met with widespread protests and demonstrations across the country.

The Massacre:
- On 13 April 1919, thousands of Indians gathered at Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden in Amritsar, to protest against the Rowlatt Act and demand freedom.
- The gathering was initially peaceful and consisted of men, women, and children who were unaware of the British authorities' intentions.
- However, Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, the British officer in charge, arrived at the scene with a contingent of British Indian Army troops.

The Actions of General Dyer:
- General Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on the unarmed crowd without any warning or order to disperse.
- The soldiers, armed with rifles, began firing into the crowd, aiming at the densest sections of the gathering.
- The firing continued for about ten minutes, until the troops ran out of ammunition.
- Many people were killed instantly, while others were injured or trampled in the ensuing chaos.

Aftermath:
- The official death toll reported by the British was 379, but Indian sources estimated it to be much higher, with figures ranging from 379 to over a thousand.
- The massacre caused shockwaves throughout India and led to widespread outrage against British rule.
- It also marked a turning point in the Indian independence movement, with many Indians becoming more determined to achieve self-rule.

Conclusion:
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occurred on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar, Punjab, India. This tragic event had a significant impact on the Indian independence movement and further fueled the struggle against British colonial rule. The indiscriminate firing on unarmed protesters by General Dyer and his troops remains a painful reminder of the injustices faced by the Indian people during that time.