Jallianwala Bagh

Jallianwala Bagh on that fateful day.

During the struggle for Indian freedom, Jallianwala Bagh stands as a milestone in Indians heart and we cannot forget the killings of innocent peoples by British Rulers.

On the March and April 1919, the struggle for the Independence was almost entirely confined to the Punjab and Western India. Most of the rioting in Delhi, Lahore, Amristar and elsewhere was characterized by racial hatred which was instigated by British Government. Without any reason, the government arrested Mahatma Gandhi on his way to Punjab and this provoked a riot in the mill town of Ahmadabad, where Gandhi was well known and loved by all. Gandhi was again released and helped to restore order.

On 15th April martial law was declared in the Punjab in consequence of a deal, which becomes one of the great rallying cries of Indian Independence. Amristar a city of
3, 00,000 inhabitants and the important religious centre of the Sikhs was about 250 miles north-west of Delhi. In Amristar on 10th April two nationalist leaders were arrested and deported. Provoked by this act of British Rulers a large crowd attempted to enter the European Cantonment and being turned away by British Army, they began rioting in city. Two banks were attacked and other Europeans were also attacked by them and railway stations set on fire.

The Military under one General Dyer restored order and all public meetings and assemblies were declared illegal. On April 13th to protest against the atrocities of General Dyer thousands of people gathered in a large enclosed ground known as “Jallianwalla Bagh”. On hearing this General Dyer personally went to the spot with ninety Gurka and Baluchi soldiers and two armoured cars with which he blocked the only exit of the Ground. Then without warning he ordered his men to open fire on the densely packed innocent people, and on his own admission fired 1605 rounds before he withdrew, ordering the armoured cars to remain and prevent anyone from leaving or entering the Bagh. Official figures gave 379 dead and 1200 wounded but really thousands of people were massacred by the shooting of cruel Dyer.

Dyer was removed from his command by British Rulers for his policy of intimidation. But his motives were supported by a large section of the British Press as well as Members of Parliament. A Sum of 26,000 euros was subscribed as a testimonial for this fine example of gallant British Soldier. But it is really a coward action of General Dyer.


On Mar 13, 1940, Udham Singh shot dead Sir Michael O’Dwyer, the DC of Amritsar during the massacre, at the Caxton Hall in London. Udham Singh was present at Jallinwala Bagh on that fateful day. According to him Sir Dwyer was actually responsible for the killings. Udham Singh was later hanged in London.


The affair of the Jallianwala Bagh certainly had a moral effect, particularly upon Gandhi. For him there was now no compromise with the British and he declared the Co-operation in any shape or form with this satanic government is sinful. General Dyers Gun brought a shameful name to the British Rulers.


“Non but the brave like Udham Singh deserve the fair”