10 Shocking Facts about Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Updated on 07 July 2021

By UPSC & State PSC

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Updated on 07 July 2021

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The Jallianwala bagh massacre is one of the most inhuman incidents that took place in Indian history. This event depicts the most tragic and dark sides of humanity as people were killed in this massacre cold-bloodedly. The Jallianwala bagh massacre took place on 13 April 1919 during the festival of Baisakhi. This incident was an after-effect of the establishment of The Rowlatt Act.

What Caused the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place when people gathered in a huge number to peacefully protest against the arrest of Satypal and Saifuddin Kitchlew. Well, some people were just gathered to celebrate the festival of Baisakhi which is a popular festival in Punjab.

The gathering of more than 4 people in public places was not allowed under martial law. The public gathering resulted in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre where General Dyer commanded his troops to fire the people.

Let us take a look at some of the shocking facts related to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Below

10 Shocking Facts about Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

On 13 April 1919, General Dyer ordered his troops to fire the people who were gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh, the bagh had only one main gate which was blocked by the troops and so the people had no other way to escape and save their lives.

During the firing, many people jumped into the well and lost their lives to save themselves from the gunshots.

According to old records, the people who gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh were unarmed and they were given no orders to disperse before the firing.

The firing lasted for around 10-15 minutes (More than 1,650 rounds fired) and it only stopped when the soldiers ran out of ammunition.

According to the official report by the British government, there were 379 people who died and 1,200 wounded but other reports claim that more than 1000 people died during this massacre.

General Dyer was appreciated by many Britishers who lived in India and by Britain for this incident. However, individuals such as Winston Churchill and H.H Ashiquith criticized his actions.

The English newspaper, The Morning Post set up a fundraising campaign for General Dyer and raised 26,000 UKP. In addition to this, as a thank you for the people who supported his actions, Dyer wrote in a newspaper "I am proud to think that so many of my fellow-countrymen and women approve of my conduct at Amritsar, and I accept the token of their approval in the spirit in which it is offered."

After the massacre, a hunter commission was set up by the government where general Dyer was inquired about this event however there was no solid disciplinary action that was charged against him. General Dyer was soon relieved from his duties in the army in 1920.

Michael O’ Dwyer who was the Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab in 1919 gave approval to the Jallianwala Bagh incident carried out by General Dyer. Dwyer was then assassinated by Udham Singh in London in the year 1940 who is believed to be the witness of this massacre as a child.

In response to this massacre and the failure of the British government to provide justice to the people, Rabindranath Tagore returned his Knighthood and Mahatma Gandhi returned his title ‘Kaiser-e-hind’ awarded to him by the British Government for his services offered during the Boer War in South Africa.

Conclusion

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a result of the public gathering that was gathered to peacefully protest against the arrest of two Congress leaders and also pilgrims who had assembled to celebrate the festival of Baisakhi. This event is seen as a shameful and shocking incident in the History of mankind. With the above-mentioned facts and incidents, the Jallianwala Bagh will be surely remembered in Indian history in the coming years as well.

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