On April 13, 2026, India commemorated 107th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (also called Amritsar Massacre), one of the most tragic and defining events of the freedom struggle. The incident took place on 13 April 1919, at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, where British troops opened fire on an unarmed and peaceful gathering assembled on the occasion of Baisakhi and to protest against the Rowlatt Act.
The nation remembers and pays homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives, as the event remains a turning point that intensified India’s demand for complete independence (Swaraj).
About Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was carried out by British troops under the command of Reginald Dyer. It is regarded as one of the darkest chapters of British colonial rule in India, which transformed the national movement from seeking reforms to demanding complete independence.
Background of the Massacre
Rowlatt Act, 1919
- Also known as the “Black Act”
- Allowed detention without trial for up to two years
- Triggered nationwide protests under Mahatma Gandhi through the Rowlatt Satyagraha
Arrest of Leaders
- Prominent leaders Saifuddin Kitchlew and Satyapal were arrested in Amritsar
- Led to widespread protests and unrest in Punjab
Martial Law and Restrictions
- General Dyer imposed restrictions banning public gatherings
- Orders were poorly communicated (only in English)
The Day of Massacre (April 13, 1919)
Baisakhi Gathering
- Thousands gathered at Jallianwala Bagh
- Included men, women, children, and rural visitors
- Many unaware of the ban on gatherings
No Warning and Entrapment
- General Dyer entered with 50 soldiers and armoured vehicles
- Blocked the only exit
- Gave no warning to disperse
The Firing
- Ordered troops to fire continuously
- Around 1,600 rounds fired in ~10 minutes
- Firing continued until ammunition was nearly exhausted
Casualties
- British estimate: 379 deaths
- Indian estimate: Over 1,000 deaths
- Many died after jumping into the Martyr’s Well
Post-Massacre Developments
Repressive Measures
- Imposition of crawling orders and public floggings
- Water and electricity supply cut in affected areas
Hunter Commission
- Set up to investigate the incident
- Criticised Dyer but no serious punishment given
- Some in Britain hailed him as a “saviour”
National Protest
- Rabindranath Tagore renounced his Knighthood
- Mahatma Gandhi returned Kaiser-i-Hind medal
Implications and Legacy
- Marked a decisive shift from reform to independence movement
- Led to launch of Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)
- United Indians across religion, region, and class
Influence on Revolutionaries
- Inspired revolutionaries like:
- Udham Singh (assassinated Michael O’Dwyer)
- Bhagat Singh