Jallianwala Bagh, located near the Golden Temple in Amritsar, is a historical site that bears witness to a tragic chapter in India's history. While the Golden Temple represents the spiritual heart of Amritsar, Jallianwala Bagh holds the somber echoes of a significant event.
Jallianwala Bagh gained notoriety due to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that took place on April 13, 1919. Brigadier General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering of thousands who had gathered at the garden to protest the repressive Rowlatt Act. This tragic event left hundreds dead and wounded. The garden features a well-known as the Martyr's Well, into which many people jumped to escape the firing during the massacre. Today, the well stands as a poignant symbol of sacrifice and resilience.
The massacre occurred during the Sikh festival of Baisakhi when pilgrims had gathered at the Golden Temple. Many of the victims of the massacre were Sikhs who had come to Amritsar for religious purposes, making the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh intrinsically linked in history.