Amritsar Massacre

Amritsar Massacre

•1919

•Major Strike which resulted in violent Protests

•Ban on public gatherings was disobeyed resulting in a massacre of protestors.

The Amritsar Massacre, also known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, was a tragic and pivotal event in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. It occurred on April 13, 1919, in the city of Amritsar in the Punjab region of British India. The massacre had a profound impact on the Indian independence movement and intensified the demand for freedom from British rule.

Background:

• Rowlatt Act (1919): The massacre took place in the context of growing unrest and discontent in India due to British colonial policies. In 1919, the British government enacted the Rowlatt Act, which allowed for the detention of political prisoners without trial and curtailed civil liberties. The act was widely opposed across India, as it was seen as a violation of basic rights and freedoms.

• Protests and Tensions: In response to the Rowlatt Act, protests and demonstrations erupted across India. In Amritsar, protests were particularly intense, and there was a general strike, or "hartal," in the city. The British authorities imposed martial law and banned public gatherings, but the tension between the colonial administration and the local population continued to escalate.

The Massacre:

• Gathering at Jallianwala Bagh: On April 13, 1919, thousands of unarmed men, women, and children gathered at Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden in Amritsar, to celebrate the Sikh festival of Baisakhi and to protest peacefully against the repressive policies of the British government. The gathering was peaceful and included people of all ages.

• Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer's Orders: Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, the British officer in charge, perceived the gathering as a challenge to British authority. Without warning, he ordered his troops to block the main entrance of the garden and opened fire on the crowd. The troops continued firing for about ten minutes, aiming directly at the people, until their ammunition was exhausted.

• Casualties: The massacre resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, with estimates ranging from 379 (according to official British figures) to over 1,000 (according to Indian sources). Thousands were injured in the indiscriminate firing. The confined space of Jallianwala Bagh, with its narrow exits, left little room for escape, leading to a high number of casualties.

Aftermath and Impact:

• Public Outrage: The massacre provoked widespread outrage and condemnation across India and the world. It was seen as a brutal and unjustified act of violence against innocent civilians. The incident deeply scarred the Indian psyche and fueled the growing demand for independence from British rule.

• Shift in Indian Nationalism: The Amritsar Massacre marked a turning point in the Indian independence movement. It radicalized many Indians who had previously advocated for constitutional reforms and led to a shift towards more direct forms of resistance against British rule. Mahatma Gandhi, who had initially supported cooperation with the British during World War I, became a staunch advocate of non-cooperation and civil disobedience following the massacre.

• Hunter Commission: In response to the international outcry, the British government established the Hunter Commission to investigate the massacre. However, the commission's findings were seen as insufficient, and Dyer was merely censured rather than punished. This lack of accountability further fueled Indian resentment.

• Legacy: The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre remains a symbol of colonial oppression and the sacrifices made by ordinary Indians in their struggle for freedom. It strengthened the resolve of Indian leaders and the masses to fight for independence. The site of the massacre, Jallianwala Bagh, has since become a national memorial in India, honoring the victims and serving as a reminder of the atrocities of British colonial rule.

The Amritsar Massacre was a horrific event that exposed the brutality of British colonialism and galvanized the Indian independence movement. It is remembered as a pivotal moment in India's fight for freedom and a stark reminder of the costs of colonial oppression.

On April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh, a square near the Sikh Golden Temple of Amritsar in India, British soldiers led by Colonel Reginald Dyer fired on an unarmed, non-violent crowd of Indians. The Jallianwala Bagh could only be exited on one side, as its other three sides were enclosed by buildings. After blocking the exit with his troops, Dyer ordered them to shoot at the crowd, continuing to fire even as the protestors tried to flee. The troops kept on firing until their ammunition was exhausted. Estimates of those killed vary from 379 to 1,500 or more people, over 1,200 others were injured, of whom 192 sustained serious injuries. Britain has never formally apologised for the massacre but expressed "deep regret" in 2019. The massacre caused a re-evaluation by the Imperial British military of its role when confronted with civilians to use "minimal force whenever possible."  

1. Explain the events leading up to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre? 

2. What were the motivating factors behind it? 

3. Explain what happened during the event and the number of casualties. 

4. Evaluate the impact of this event.