Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:

Date:

• April 13, 1919

Location:

• Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden near the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India.

Context:

• The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was passed by the British Government. It allowed for the arrest and detention of Indians without trial. The Act also imposed restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly.
• The Act triggered widespread protests in India, especially in Punjab.
• The incident occurred during the Punjab unrest when tensions between the British authorities and the Indian population were rising.

Event:

• A public gathering was held at Jallianwala Bagh to protest against the Rowlatt Act and other repressive British measures. It was a religious and political gathering.
• On the day of the massacre, a crowd of around 15,000 to 20,000 people had assembled at Jallianwala Bagh.
• General Reginald Dyer, the British officer in charge, arrived with 50 soldiers and blocked the main exit of the park.
• Without any prior warning, Dyer ordered his soldiers to open fire on the crowd. The shooting lasted for about 10 minutes.
• The soldiers fired a total of 1,650 rounds, aimed at the unarmed crowd.
• There was no escape, as the park had only a single narrow entrance.
• Casualties:
  • Official British figures: 379 killed, 1,200 injured.
  • Indian sources estimate a much higher death toll, with some reports suggesting up to 1,000 killed and 1,500+ injured.

Aftermath:

• The British government, initially, did not condemn the massacre. Dyer was even praised by some British officials for his actions.
• Public Outcry:
  • The massacre caused widespread outrage in India and international condemnation. It galvanized the Indian independence movement.
  • Protests erupted across India, leading to an increase in anti-British sentiments.
• In response to the massacre, Mahatma Gandhi called for nationwide protests, which ultimately led to the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Reactions:

• Dyer’s Defense: Dyer justified his actions by claiming that he wanted to teach the Indians a lesson. He asserted that he was saving the British from a potential rebellion.
• Committee Inquiry: The British government set up the Hunter Commission to investigate the incident. The commission criticized Dyer’s actions but did not take any direct punitive action against him.

Aftermath for Dyer:

• Dyer faced criticism in Britain as well. Though he was not prosecuted, he was removed from his post and went into retirement. His actions were condemned in both British and Indian press.
• Udham Singh, an Indian revolutionary, later avenged the massacre by assassinating General Dyer in 1940 in London.

Significance:

• The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre is considered one of the most significant events that mobilized public opinion against British rule.
• It became a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle. It particularly strengthened the resolve of Indian leaders to pursue complete independence from British colonial rule.

Key Points for Competitive Exams:

1. Date & Location: April 13, 1919, Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar.
2. Key Figures:
   • General Reginald Dyer (British officer responsible).
   • Udham Singh (Freedom fighter who avenged Dyer).
3. Causes: Rowlatt Act, British repression.
4. Casualties: Official British estimate: 379 killed, 1,200 wounded. Indian estimate: 1,000+ killed, 1,500+ wounded.
5. Significance: It intensified Indian resistance, contributed to the rise of the Non-Cooperation Movement, and influenced Indian leaders’ resolve for independence.

This event is critical for understanding the rising anger and eventual mobilization that led to India’s independence in 1947.