Travel Guide to Golden Temple Amritsar
Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It is historically significant as the site of a tragic incident that took place on April 13, 1919, known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
During British colonial rule in India, a large gathering of Indians had assembled at Jallianwala Bagh to protest the repressive Rowlatt Act passed by the British government, which allowed for the arrest and detention of Indians without trial. The gathering included men, women, and children.
Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, an officer of the British Indian Army, arrived with a contingent of soldiers and ordered them to open fire on the unarmed crowd without any warning or chance for the people to disperse. The firing lasted for about ten minutes until the soldiers ran out of ammunition. The official British government estimates placed the death toll at 379, while unofficial estimates suggest the number was much higher.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre sparked widespread outrage and protests across India and played a significant role in shaping the Indian independence movement. It led to a loss of faith in the British administration and fueled demands for independence. The incident also received international attention and condemnation, contributing to growing criticism of British colonial rule.
Now, Jallianwala Bagh has been transformed into a memorial park to honor the victims of the massacre. The site includes a memorial structure with a flame, a gallery with photographs depicting the events, and a well into which many people jumped to escape the firing. The bullet marks on the walls of the surrounding buildings have been preserved as a stark reminder of the tragedy that occurred.
Jallianwala Bagh remains an important historical landmark and a symbol of the struggle for independence in India. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Indian people.
