April 13, 1919

It was a turning point in India's independence movement. In Jallianwala Bagh, visitors can still see the bullet marks on garden's walls. New Delhi: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, also known as the Amritsar massacre, took place on April 13, 1919.

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab, British India. This tragic event was a turning point in India's struggle for independence and had a profound impact on the country's history.

Background:
During the early 20th century, India was under British colonial rule, and the Indian National Congress, along with other political organizations, was actively fighting for independence. In response to the growing unrest, the British government passed the Rowlatt Act in 1919, which granted them extensive powers to suppress any opposition.

The Massacre:
On April 13, 1919, a large crowd gathered in Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden in Amritsar, to protest against the Rowlatt Act and peacefully celebrate the Sikh festival of Baisakhi. General Reginald Dyer, the British military commander in Amritsar, arrived at the scene with a contingent of troops.

Martial Law:
Dyer declared martial law and ordered his soldiers to open fire on the unarmed crowd without any warning or means of escape. The garden was surrounded by high walls with only one narrow entrance, making it impossible for the people to flee. The firing continued for approximately ten minutes, until the soldiers ran out of ammunition.

Casualties and Aftermath:
The exact number of casualties is disputed, but it is estimated that around 379 people were killed, including men, women, and children, while more than a thousand were injured. The brutality of the massacre shocked the nation and led to widespread protests and condemnation across India.

Consequences:
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre became a symbol of British oppression in India and fueled the fire of the Indian independence movement. It galvanized support for Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement and strengthened the resolve of Indians to fight for their freedom.

British Response:
Although Dyer was initially hailed as a hero by some British officials, he faced severe criticism from others, including within the British Parliament. He was relieved of duty but faced no criminal charges for his actions. The massacre also led to a loss of faith in British rule among many Indians and furthered the demand for complete independence.

In conclusion, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a tragic event in Indian history that occurred on April 13, 1919. It had a profound impact on the Indian independence movement, leading to increased resistance against British rule and strengthening the resolve of the Indian people to fight for their freedom.