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In the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, British Indian army soldiers, under Colonel Reginald Dyer’s command, fired at an unarmed crowd near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The gathering was peacefully protesting the arrest of nationalist leaders Saifuddin Kitchlew and Satyapal. Shockingly, without any warning or orders to disperse, the soldiers fired 1650 rounds for ten minutes. According to the official record of the British govt, in the tragic Jaliwala Massacre of 1919, 379 people lost their lives and over 1200 were wounded.
Winston Churchill, later England’s Prime Minister, called it a monstrous even” This 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre deeply outraged Indians and had a profound effect on nationalist leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. The incident remains a significant historical marker in the context of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919.
After learning about the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919, a freedom fighter Udham Singh, went to England with the intent of seeking revenge of Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. Later in 1940, Udham Singh killed General Michael O’Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab in revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
Historical Background of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre is an event in Indian history that happened on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab. The history of the Jaliawallah massacre is rooted in the widespread discontent and agitation against colonial rule in India.
During the First World War, the British government imposed several repressive measures under the Defence of India Act, leading to civil unrest. The Rowlatt Act of 1919, which allowed for the arrest and detention of individuals without trial, further fueled the protest and unrest. The cause of Jaliawallah Bagh Massacre is the Rowlatt Act, the arrest of nationalist leaders Saifuddin Kitchlew and Satyapal led to a widespread protest.
The location of Jaliawala Bagh is situated near Amritsar Golden Temple in the state of Punjab India. On April 13, 1919, people gathered in large numbers from nearby places in peaceful protest in Jaliawallah Bagh. Colonel Reginald Dyer, fearing civil unrest, ordered his troops to open fire on peaceful protestors in Jallianwala Bagh. The indiscriminate firing resulted in hundreds of deaths and left a lasting scar on the Indian struggle for independence. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre became a turning point, intensifying the demand for freedom and shaping the course of India’s fight against colonial rule.
Causes of the Jaliawallah Bagh Massacre
Below are a few reasons the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was a result of many movements that Indians led. Such as:
- Martial law was imposed on Punjab. The British authorities set it during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, which meant that people could not form groups or assemble in groups to prevent mobilised protests.
- The Rowlatt Act (Black Act), also known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, was passed on March 18 1919 by the Imperial Legislative Council. The British government’s chief intention was to suppress the growing nationalist movement in the country. This Act gave authority to the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist activities and also to detain such people for up to 2 years without provocation or trials.
- In response to the Rowlatt Act, Mahatma Gandhi initiated a non-violent Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act on April 6, 1919. However, violent anti-British demonstrations erupted in several cities, particularly in Punjab, due to wartime suppression.
- As a result, Mahatma Gandhi was arrested on April 8, 1919, and two nationalist leaders, Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr Satyapal, were arrested on April 9, 1919, without any trials.
- It led to anger among Indian protestors, who then came out in huge numbers to show their solidarity with their leaders and became violent, prompting the authorities to enforce martial law and turn over the law enforcement in Punjab to Brigadier-General Dyer as to govern any future uprisings.
- On April 13 1919, on the day of the festival Baisakhi, a considerable crowd had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh, unaware of the prohibitory orders in Amritsar. Dyer arrived with his troops, surrounded the gathering, and blocked the entry and only exit point. He then commanded his troops to open fire on the unarmed crowd, resulting in the deaths of many.
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Outcomes of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was a turning event in India’s freedom movement, and had significant outcomes that resonate both within the country and internationally:
- Public Outrage: The massacre sparked nationwide public outrage across India. The brutality of the incident galvanized Indians, resulting in a stronger sense of unity against British rule.
- Impact on Nationalist Movements: The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre deeply influenced the trajectory of the Indian independence movement for both peaceful protesters and Krantikaris. Bhagat Singh, a revolutionist, was inspired by this movement. It intensified the demand for freedom and fueled the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920.
- International Condemnation: The massacre drew international condemnation against the brutality of British rule. The incident was widely criticised by various political leaders and intellectuals worldwide, contributing to the erosion of British prestige.
- Repressive Legislation: In response to growing dissent, the British government enacted repressive measures like the Rowlatt Act, increasing discontent and resistance among Indians.
- Formation of Hunter Commission: The British government appointed the Hunter Commission to investigate the incident. While critical of Colonel Dyer’s actions, the commission’s findings fell short of meeting Indian expectations for justice.
- Impact on Udham Singh: Udham Singh, a witness to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, sought revenge and assassinated Michael O’Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, in 1940 in London.
- Symbolic Importance: Jallianwala Bagh symbolised sacrifice and resistance in the Indian collective memory. The site is now a memorial to commemorate the lives lost during the massacre.
Aftrermath
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre also led to the formation of the Simon Commission, which was set up by the authorities to review India’s political situation and make recommendations on its future governance.
About 21 years after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, A Revolutionary Sardar Udham Singh took revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre by assassinating and killing Dwyer, who had approved Dyer’s actions and was also believed to be the central planner.
Yet another such witness was Kishori Lal, a journalist reporting on the site of Jallianwala Bagh. He was arrested by the British authorities and detained for several months for covering the protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Upon his release, he continued to report on the Indian independence movement and became an advocate for freedom of the press.
FAQs on Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Where and when did the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Take place?
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place in Amritsar, Punjab, on April 13 in the year 1919.
What was the main reason for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
British colonial policies such as the Rowlatt Act, the growing Indian nationalist movement seeking greater political rights and self-governance. As a result of this, the British authorities responded violently to the peaceful protests and demonstrations.
How many people died in the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
According to British government records, 379 people, including men, women, and children, were killed, while 1,200 were injured in the indiscriminate firing commanded by Colonel Reginald Dyer.
