Massacre at Amritsar

Published in 1963 Massacre at Amritsar recreates the terrible scene of the Jallianwala Bagh from the stories of eyewitnesses and survivors. General Dyer’s action at Amritsar on April 13, 1919 flared up into one of the most heated political and moral controversies of 20th century. .. firing without warning on the group which had gathered ? .. and in continuing to fire after they had started to disperse? .. worse bloodshed, and all India, perhaps? .. committed a cold-blooded, purposeless massacre, for which no excuse was possible? The Army, which had condoned his act on his first explanation, could not stomach his arrogant replies at the enquiry. The Government of India described Dyer’s act as ‘monstrous.’ And perhaps more than any other single factor the massacre consolidated Indian opinion behind the campaign for independence. Yet a large section of the British public backed Dyer; a huge subscription was raised for him, and the House of Lords exonerated him.

"Around 90 troops under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer fired upon the gathering without giving any warning. Once the firing started, there was no escape from the garden as the main exit was blocked by the troops. The troops only stopped firing once they ran out of ammunition. Estimated casualties were 379 killed and 1,200 injured"

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