Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 13th April 1919, a turning point in the history of Indian independence. A day when the autocracy of the British Empire killed thousands of Indians. This condemnable incident was not an isolated one, but numerous factors were present in the surroundings. To comprehend what triggered the bloodbath, one must note the incidents preceding it. On 10th March 1919, the Rowlatt Act (Black Act) was conceded, permitting the Government to imprison and arrest any individual without trial in charge of sedition. This Act caused nationwide disorder.

Gandhiji articulated an article named “Satyagraha”, which was published on 7th April 1919. The British Government hatched a plan against Gandhi and other political leaders active in the Satyagraha movement. An order was issued to proscribe Gandhi from entering Punjab and arrest him if he defied the ordinance. Then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir Michael O` Dwyer (1912-1919), suggested extraditing Gandhi to Burma, which was ruled out by peer officials, apprehending more anarchy. 

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The Background

On 9th April 1919, the day of Ram Naumi, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Irving was ordered to arrest Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Kitchlew by Dwyer. Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew both were well-known leaders standing for Hindu-Muslim unity. In protest of the arrest of two prominent leaders, a meeting was held in Jallianwala; hence the bloodbath is known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. A traitor named Hansraj informed the official about the meeting, and then a loathsome conspiracy was hatched. On that fateful day (13th April 1919), British soldiers, on the order of Lieutenant-Governor Dwyer, opened fire abruptly on unarmed Indian citizens.

The Rowlatt Act was used to repress all opposition. On 13th April 1919, a gathering was held to commemorate Baisakhi, but according to the British Government, it was a political agitation, as exhibited in the National Archive of India. Therefore, according to British officials, it was an illegitimate assembly to announce two resolutions, condemning the firing of 10th April and demanding the release of two arrested leaders. As the news reached General Dwyer, he headed to the Bagh with his troops. He entered the enclosure, positioned his troops strategically to prevent disperse, and ordered them to fire.

Hideous Act

Jallianwala Bagh massacre is most hideous, as no announcement was made before firing; the crowd was not allowed to disperse. The soldiers continued the fire of 1650 bullets for ten to fifteen minutes until the ammunition was exhausted. About a thousand citizens were butchered mercilessly in those horrific ten minutes, and another two thousand were injured. Bullet marks are still there in Jallianwala Bagh, which is now a national monument. The mass murder was pre-planned by Dwyer, and he later pompously declared the Act was to teach a lesson to the natives and would continue firing if not ammunitions exhausted. The Englishman was boastful of his action, let alone ashamed. When Dwyer returned to England, some fellow citizens welcomed him with pomp and show; others considered him a demon for the gruesome mass killing.

Two days after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Martial Law was imposed in five districts; Amritsar, Lahore, Gujarat, Lyallpore, and Gujranwala. The Law authorized the Viceroy to court-martial any person associated with revolutionary actions. The news of the bloodbath spread like wildfire nationwide, condemning the killing of innocent citizens. Rabindranath Tagore renounced the Knighthood.

Hunter Commission

Following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre date, congress established an informal enquiry committee. The British Government did not take any initiative to investigate the carnage till then. On 14th October 1919 Government formed the Disorder Inquiry Committee to investigate the massacre, which later came to be known as Hunter Commission. The committee comprised seven members; four British, three Indians and was headed by Lord William Hunter, Senator of College of Justice Scotland. The committee was directed to pronounce their ruling over the justification or otherwise of the shooting.

The verdict of the Hunter Commission was expected; though it condemned the actions taken by General Dyer, it endorsed the imposition of Martial Law in Punjab. The committee criticized the working of Satyagraha and partially held Gandhi responsible for the anarchy. General Dyer was relieved from the Brigadier Commander position, sent back to England with a notice of no further employment in India.

Indian Revolutionary

After twenty years, on 13th March 1940, an Indian revolutionary named Udham Singh avenged the bloodbath by killing Dwyer. He pulled out his .45 Smith and Wesson revolver masked under a book and fired six bullets at a group; two shots hit the back of the man; one pierced his heart and lung, the other both kidneys. Thus, Dwyer was killed on the spot, the man who orchestrated the most horrendous massacre of Indians by the British Government.

The Monument 

Keeping in mind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre date and importance of the place in Indian independence history, a trust was formed in1920 to build a memorial to commemorate the martyrs. The monument was designed by American architect Benjamin Polk and inaugurated by then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, on 13th April 1961. The monument is in honor of the Jallianwala Bagh history, which depicts the pain and sufferings of Indian citizens on that dreadful day. The monument and the surrounding premise exhibits bullet marks. The well that provided shelter to women and children from the onslaught of British soldiers is also preserved with care. 

Significance

Jallianwala Bagh massacre date is the turning point of the Indian independence struggle. The incident was an eye-opener for those who thought the British government was civil; the bloodbath stunned the nation by the degree of viciousness. Due to the tragic incident, Gandhi called off the Satyagraha movement. But after a year, a more intense mass movement started across the country. The national freedom movement took a different path gaining more momentum and spirit. This tragic incident inspired congress to enter a different phase of mass movement.

Younger Indians need to know Jallianwala Bagh history to uncover some uncomfortable truths and facts. To date, Britain or other colonial powers have not formally apologized for the gruesome mass execution. Another foremost impact of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre mostly ignored is the emergence of revolutionaries like Udham Singh and Bhagat Singh. The revolutionary movement gained momentum after the Amritsar atrocity. Many are unaware the Jallianwala Bagh history was fashioned by The Tribune, which created the soil for a vigorous mass movement in Punjab and other parts of India.