Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Date, History, Significance, Deaths, Impact, Aftermath

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Jallianwala Bagh is a historic site and national memorial located near the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It was built in 1919 to honour the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, which occurred there on the Baisakhi festival holiday. Several memorial buildings, a museum, and a gallery are located on the 7-acre (28,000 m2) site. It was repaired between 2019 and 2021 and is now under the management of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Jallianwala Bagh History

The property, which encompasses 7 acres (28,000 m2), is close to the Golden Temple complex.[1]

With its well, Jallianwala Bagh, also known as the garden of the Jallah-man, suggests that it was once lush and blossoming.[1] Over time, it gained popularity as a rest stop and amusement spot for people travelling to the adjacent Golden Temple.[1] In 1919, it was a desiccated area with only one access and exit route, surrounded by densely packed multi-occupancy buildings and divided by some small streets.[2] A wall encircled it, and it was vacant.[2] The Pandit Jalla is the source of the location’s name.[3]

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

People assembled in Jallianwala Bagh (Amritsar) on April 13, 1919, to protest the arrest of Satya Pal and Dr Saifuddin Kitchlew, two nationalist leaders. General Dyer, a British military leader, and his forces appeared out of nowhere in the park. He ordered his soldiers to fire at the unarmed mob for ten minutes without even giving them the warning to disperse, and when their ammunition ran out, they fled. According to estimates from congress, about a thousand people died and about 2000 people were injured within those ten minutes. The Jallianwala Bagh, which is now a national memorial, still has bullet holes in its walls.

The slaughter had been planned, and Dyer proudly boasted that he had done it to have a “moral effect” on the populace and that he had resolved to shoot down all men if they continued to gather. He wasn’t sorry at all. When he arrived in England, numerous citizens of that country raised money in his honour. Others were horrified by this horrible deed and requested an investigation. It was dubbed one of the bloodiest massacres in contemporary history by a British newspaper.

A rebel from India named Udham Singh killed Michael O’Dwyer, the Lt. Governor of Punjab at the time of the Jalliawala Bagh massacre, on March 13, 1940, around 21 years later. The massacre inflamed the Indian people’s rage, and the government responded with additional brutality. In Punjab, people were forced to crawl in the streets. They received training in open cages and as well as given the flail. Newspapers were forbidden, and editors got jailed or fired. A reign of terror was imposed, much to what happened after the rebellion of 1857 collapsed down.

After the Results of the Massacre

Outrage over the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre spread throughout the world and in India. Rapidly disseminated news of the massacre led to protests and demonstrations across India. Both domestically and abroad, the British government received strong criticism.

To protest the massacre, the Indian National Congress called for a national strike. As a measure of protest, many Indians boycotted British products, which had a considerable negative economic impact on British companies doing business in India.

Gandhi also denounced the slaughter, referring to it as “a monstrous crime” and urging for those responsible to face justice. Following the incident, he started his non-cooperation campaign, which attempted to employ civil disobedience in a nonviolent manner to seek independence from Britain.

News of the massacre shocked and astounded people around the world. Many individuals questioned Britain’s colonial rule in India as a result, harming its reputation internationally.

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre sparked feelings of indignation, grief, and outrage. It was a watershed event in Indian history, inspiring pro-independence groups all over the nation and exposing Britain’s cruel colonial policies.

Cambodian New Year 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

Significance of the Massacre

The massacre at Jallianwala Bagh was a turning point in the Indian independence movement. It marked the beginning of widespread protests against British authority and fueled India’s struggle for independence.

This incident is noteworthy not just for the fury with which it took out but also for what it left in its wake. The massacre infuriated all of India, resulting in widespread demonstrations and strikes against British rule. It also resulted in the establishment of new political organizations, such as the Indian National Congress, and rekindled efforts to achieve independence.

In addition, this incident illuminated the oppressive nature of British colonialism in India and revealed their callous disregard for human life. It became a symbol of everything that was wrong with their colonial policies. Motivating future generations to continue fighting for justice and equality.

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre serves as a stark reminder of how far we have come as a nation in our fight for independence. A catalyst for continued progress towards social justice and equality.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: The Memorial

Several nearby structures were damaged during the 1947 Unrest. It assumed as a “memorial of national importance” by the Indian government in 1951.

The facility underwent renovations from 2019 to 2021. For the celebration of the massacre’s centenary in 2019, the central government set aside 20 crores (US$2.5 million). A Trust originated in 1920 with the intention of building a memorial at the scene of the slaughter. In order to complete the renovations, the memorial shut down to the public in February 2019. It reopened in August 2021. Various historians, political figures, and some of the martyrs’ relatives criticised the renovation. Claiming that it was improper and obscured the tragedy of the murder.