The Prime Minister of India recently paid tribute to the 102nd anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, a dark chapter in Indian history. The commemoration coincided with the 130th Foundation Day of the National Archives of India. As part of the event, an exhibition titled “Jallianwala Bagh” was opened to commemorate the centenary of the massacre.
The Fateful Day of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
On 13th April 1919, a horrifying event unfolded in Amritsar, Punjab, known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre or the Massacre of Amritsar. The massacre was a graphic demonstration of the British’s callousness, as British troops led by General Reginald Edward Dyer fired upon an unarmed crowd, resulting in several casualties.
The Background: World War I and the Rowlatt Act
It’s crucial to understand that this massacre didn’t occur in isolation. Several factors formed the backdrop to this tragic event. Amidst World War I (1914–18), the British regime in India implemented numerous harsh emergency measures designed to quell dissent. Dominating these were the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, also referred to as the Rowlatt Act (Black Act). Passed on March 10, 1919, this notorious legislation empowered the government to imprison or confine any individuals suspected of seditious activities, without trial.
The Tragedy Unfolds: The Jallianwala Bagh Gathering
Against this volatile backdrop, on April 13, 1919, a congregation of approximately 10,000 individuals assembled in Jallianwala Bagh. They gathered to demand the release of Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal, prominent leaders who symbolized Hindu-Muslim unity and were instrumental in organizing peaceful protests against the Rowlatt Act. Upon learning of this gathering, Brigadier-General Dyer deployed his troops, blocked the only park exit, and ordered indiscriminate firing, which led to the death of many innocent civilians.
The Aftermath: Repercussions and Consequences
The massacre was followed by the imposition of martial law in Punjab, involving public floggings and public humiliations. The incident’s news spread across the Indian subcontinent, fuelling anger and resentment. Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood bestowed upon him in 1915. Mahatma Gandhi returned the title of Kaiser-i-Hind, which he’d received for his contributions during the Boer War.
Inquest into the Massacre: The Hunter Commission and The Non Cooperation Movement
A committee, later known as the Hunter Commission, was formed to investigate the massacre. In 1920, it condemned Dyer’s actions, and he was asked to resign his post. Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress appointed its non-official committee, including Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, Abbas Tyabji, M.R. Jayakar, and Gandhi, to probe the shootings. This led to Gandhi orchestrating his first large-scale nonviolent protest – the Non Cooperation Movement (1920–22). This significant event marked one of the first major steps towards India’s struggle for freedom, which culminated in independence 25 years later.