Nestled in the heart of Amritsar, Punjab, lies a historic garden and memorial that holds the memory of a dark chapter in India’s history. Jallianwala Bagh, situated near the famous Golden Temple, serves as a haunting reminder of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that occurred on the site on the festival of Baisakhi, April 13, 1919.
Spanning 6.5 acres, Jallianwala Bagh is a beautiful park filled with monuments and structures that commemorate the lives lost in this brutal attack. On that fateful day, Brigadier General R.E.H Dyer marched into the Bagh with a battalion of troops and began indiscriminate firing on the peaceful and unarmed crowd who had gathered to celebrate Baisakhi. The narrow alley that runs through the park still carries an eerie calm, and the walls bear the marks of bullets that rained down on innocent men, women, and children.
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre left a deep scar on the country and resulted in the loss of over 1000 Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. In 1951, the government of India established the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust to manage the site and in 1961, the memorial was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The well in the Bagh still stands as a haunting reminder of the people who jumped in to save themselves from the bullet barrage.
Visiting Jallianwala Bagh is a journey through time. The air of peace and sadness that lingers in the park makes it a must-visit destination for those interested in India’s rich history. The park is open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM and takes around 1-2 hours to explore.
Don’t miss the opportunity to pay your respects to the victims of this tragedy when you are in Amritsar.
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