When we visit Amritsar, we always remember to go to Jallianwala Bagh. It is a place where many people gave up their lives on April 13, 1919 – a day that became phenomenal in the annals of Indian history as one of the darkest days of British imperialism.
Indeed, a visit to Jallianwala Bagh is a chastening and emotional experience that helps open a window into the unfamiliar world of the freedom struggle in India.
History is vivid here, and people can bow to the memory of the martyrs while learning about the history of India’s struggle for independence.
The garden is also close to the Golden Temple, a tourist attraction in Amritsar.
Distance And How To Reach:
From Railway Station:
The distance of the Jallianwala Bagh from the Amritsar Junction Railway Station is about one kilometer, 0.5 to 2 kilometers.
It is usually a 5-to 10-minute car/ auto-rickshaw ride or a 20-25-minute walk away.
From Airport:
It is roughly 13 to 14 kilometers from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (Amritsar Airport) to Jallianwala Bagh.
From Amritsar Airport to Jallianwala Bagh, it takes 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or cab or 14 to 15 minutes by auto rickshaw.
Timings:
Jallianwala Bagh is open to visitors from 6:30 A.M to 7:30 P.M.
It took about 1-2 hours to go around the site and read all the boards and commemorations at Jallianwala Bagh.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Date and Location:
April 13, 1919, at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab, India.
Background:
- It is a part of the larger struggle for the Indian independence movement involving the British colonies.
- The Rowlatt Act in 1919, which gave the British the right to imprison those who were considered rebels without a trial, enraged the Indians.
- Elected local leaders Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew were arrested, which only incited more violence in Amritsar.
The Gathering:
- It was a non-violent protest in which thousands of men, women, and children assembled here to protest against the arrests and also for the celebration of Baisakhi, a Punjabi festival.
- The garden was enclosed by walls and had small gates that could barely be used to escape in case of an emergency.
General Reginald Dyer’s Actions:
- British officer General Dyer, who commanded the troops, decided to provide the Indians with a dose of what he called a ‘moral lesson.’
- Said orders were suddenly given, and the military personnel proceeded to surround all the areas of escape and pumped bullets into the non-violent demonstrators.
- Dyer did not order the crowd to disperse before firing, shot without any warning at all, and did not indicate a way of escape.
Duration and Scale of the Massacre:
- It was estimated that the firing lasted for about 10 minutes, during which the soldiers discharged their ammunition until empty.
- Around 1,650 rounds were fired.
Casualties:
- The British government went further and declared that 379 had been killed and about 1,200 more had been wounded.
- Indian sources and later investigations conducted by human rights organizations revealed that about 1000 were killed and several others injured.
Immediate Aftermath:
- While some officials in Britain supported General Dyer, others and Indians together, as well as people all over the world, despised them.
- The mass killing provoked people’s anger, and Indians protested against the use of force in the country.
- The liberal British government appointed a committee of inquiry called the Hunter Commission, and Dyer received only a mild punishment – he was allowed to retire without going to trial.
Impact on the Indian Independence Movement:
- The Ridge became another grim reminder to the Indians of what they had to go through in order to sustain their freedom movement.
- It empowered the Indian National Congress, and a number of people also began supporting Mahatma Gandhi’s noncooperation movement.
- The event unfolded and revealed the cruelty of the British mandate, and Indians joined in their cause of asking for independence to be granted to them.
Legacy:
- Jallianwala Bagh stands as one of the prime examples of tyranny as well as one of the practical markers of the nationalist movement in India.
- The annual remembrance is held, and a memorial was built to mark the occasion and to honour the victims.
- It, therefore, remains strongly marked as one of the milestones in the struggle for India’s independence.
The Martyrs' Well:
It was during this massacre that several people who were caught in the gunfire dived into a well that was in the garden to escape death.
The source of water, known today as The Martyrs’ Well, turned into a grave site for over 120 people who perished in the well.
The well has been restored as part of the memorial and serves to remind people of the horrors that took place that day.
Bullet Marks
These are the results of British troops’ shooting at a peaceful procession, and their traces can still be seen in different areas of the garden.
These are accurate bullet holes and are as much a part of the sites as the blood-stained floor.
The photos following depict those traces and signs and effectively remind the event.
Martyrs Gallery
The Martyrs Gallery you discussed in your briefing can be described as a sorrowful piece of art dedicated to people who gave their lives for a greater purpose.
It also depicts portraits, artifacts, and narratives of the martyrs from different struggles and serves as a platform for introspection and commemoration.
Every exhibit is dedicated to brave and persistent people who struggled for liberty, justice, and honesty.
Tourists can educate themselves on these heroes’ experiences and be motivated by their strength.
We went with my family to Jalllainwala Bagh, and I experienced everything mentioned above. It is a fantastic experience.
I see martyrs well, bullet marks; Shaheed Jyot, also known as the Flame of Liberty (Amar Jyoti), is a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
There is a gallery with photos of all the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of india.
Also, a projector tells the story of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. I like this garden very much.
This garden attracts me a lot. Its greenery is fantastic. There is fresh air blowing, so we sit and enjoy our time. Many old houses made of wood and bricks are near it.
I like it very much. I always recommend that everyone visit Jallianwala Bagh whenever they visit Amritsar.
