Amritsar Massacre
During World War 1, British imperial rule oppressed Indian society and dictated their contribution towards the war efforts. Thousands of Indians were forced into battle, fighting for a cause that they may not be in favor of. Because of the British harsh rule over India, the Indians believed that they didn’t acquire any freedom at all. In addition to this British oppression, the Indians were already angered with the foreign rule, which led to the Indians to become angrier with the British. Indian nationalists began to make formative demands for more rights however they were shortly shut down by a simple agreement. Britain compromised that after World War 1 had ended, they would allow India a larger form of self-government. When the war had finished, Britain did not stick with their promise, which led to the Indians to have no other choice other than to take arms against Britain in order to gain their freedom back. Furthermore, The Amritsar Massacre soon began.
On April 13, 1919 a large tumult crowd of 10,000, jammed into a field in the heart of the city called Jallianwala Baghto. The Indians went to the field for what they believed was going to be a meeting to peacefully protest the arrest of two leaders in the INC, known as the Indian National Congress. Since British rule had sparked riots and attacks, and tensions were running high in Amritsar, and this bloody mess that will occur that will change the ways of India forever. General Reginald Dyer was overseeing the protest with his soldiers. As more and more Indian leaders addressed the crowd, Dyer arrived at the field with fifty soldiers. Dyer then set his troops up and commanded them to open fire with no warning, in order to clear the field. The aftermath of the shooting resulted in about 380 deaths, and wounding more than 1,100 innocent Indians. Dyer proclaimed that his action was necessary to generate a “sufficient moral effect” on Indian protestors stating that he would have continued firing if more supplies were available to him. This ruthless massacre foreshadows the mass Indian uprising against Britain, which ultimately leads India to gain their freedom and independence from Britain.
This Massacre was denoted as a turning point to many Indians. It revealed and convinced them of the malevolent evils and repugnance of the British. An Indian nationalist realized more than ever how corrupt and immoral imperialism was and how it had spread like a disease towards the British upper classes. He learned that one thing could change a nation forever. Because of Indian Nationalism, they took arms against Britain, came together, and will soon achieve their one goal; independence. This massacre easily increased Indian nationalism and without those Indian nationalists protesting, India may have not become free from Britain.
Review Questions:
1) Why was the Massacre considered a turning point for many Indians?
2) What led up to the bloody massacre?
3) What was the Indian National Congress?
Citations:
-"Independence for India (Overview)." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.
-"Massacre of Amritsar (1919, India)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.
-"Indian Nationalism." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 May 2013. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.
Primary Source:
"Amritsar Massacre." - Jallian Wala Bagh. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.
During World War 1, British imperial rule oppressed Indian society and dictated their contribution towards the war efforts. Thousands of Indians were forced into battle, fighting for a cause that they may not be in favor of. Because of the British harsh rule over India, the Indians believed that they didn’t acquire any freedom at all. In addition to this British oppression, the Indians were already angered with the foreign rule, which led to the Indians to become angrier with the British. Indian nationalists began to make formative demands for more rights however they were shortly shut down by a simple agreement. Britain compromised that after World War 1 had ended, they would allow India a larger form of self-government. When the war had finished, Britain did not stick with their promise, which led to the Indians to have no other choice other than to take arms against Britain in order to gain their freedom back. Furthermore, The Amritsar Massacre soon began.
On April 13, 1919 a large tumult crowd of 10,000, jammed into a field in the heart of the city called Jallianwala Baghto. The Indians went to the field for what they believed was going to be a meeting to peacefully protest the arrest of two leaders in the INC, known as the Indian National Congress. Since British rule had sparked riots and attacks, and tensions were running high in Amritsar, and this bloody mess that will occur that will change the ways of India forever. General Reginald Dyer was overseeing the protest with his soldiers. As more and more Indian leaders addressed the crowd, Dyer arrived at the field with fifty soldiers. Dyer then set his troops up and commanded them to open fire with no warning, in order to clear the field. The aftermath of the shooting resulted in about 380 deaths, and wounding more than 1,100 innocent Indians. Dyer proclaimed that his action was necessary to generate a “sufficient moral effect” on Indian protestors stating that he would have continued firing if more supplies were available to him. This ruthless massacre foreshadows the mass Indian uprising against Britain, which ultimately leads India to gain their freedom and independence from Britain.
This Massacre was denoted as a turning point to many Indians. It revealed and convinced them of the malevolent evils and repugnance of the British. An Indian nationalist realized more than ever how corrupt and immoral imperialism was and how it had spread like a disease towards the British upper classes. He learned that one thing could change a nation forever. Because of Indian Nationalism, they took arms against Britain, came together, and will soon achieve their one goal; independence. This massacre easily increased Indian nationalism and without those Indian nationalists protesting, India may have not become free from Britain.
Review Questions:
1) Why was the Massacre considered a turning point for many Indians?
2) What led up to the bloody massacre?
3) What was the Indian National Congress?
Citations:
-"Independence for India (Overview)." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2013. Web. 6 Mar. 2013.
-"Massacre of Amritsar (1919, India)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.
-"Indian Nationalism." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 May 2013. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.
Primary Source:
"Amritsar Massacre." - Jallian Wala Bagh. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2013.