Jallianwala Bagh Amritsar

Here is a concise yet powerful description of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and Shaheed Udham Singh — both are deeply connected to India's freedom struggle and to Amritsar’s identity:

---

🩸 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919):

On April 13, 1919 (the day of Baisakhi), thousands of Indians, including women and children, gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar for a peaceful protest against repressive British laws.

Without any warning, General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on the unarmed crowd.

In just 10 minutes, over 1,000 people were killed and more than 1,500 injured (unofficial figures — British records claimed fewer).

The only exit was blocked, and many people jumped into the well inside the garden to escape bullets, where dozens died.

This brutal massacre became a turning point in India’s freedom struggle, igniting widespread anger and resistance against British rule.

---

Shaheed Udham Singh (1899–1940):

Born in Sunam, Punjab, Udham Singh was just 19 years old when he witnessed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Deeply affected, he vowed to avenge the massacre.

After years of struggle and planning, on March 13, 1940, he shot and killed Michael O'Dwyer (the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab who supported the massacre) in London.

He was arrested, tried, and hanged on July 31, 1940 in Pentonville Prison.

Udham Singh became a symbol of justice, bravery, and sacrifice in Indian history. He was posthumously titled Shaheed-i-Azam.