Attraction Guide: Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, India

Jallianwala Bagh Guide

Jallianwala Bagh: A Memorial to a Massacre Guide

Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in Amritsar that serves as a poignant memorial to one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. This serene space, now a place of reflection, was the site of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, a pivotal event in the Indian independence movement. Visiting this site is a deeply moving experience, offering a glimpse into the sacrifices made for India's freedom. On April 13, 1919, a large crowd of unarmed Indians gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to peacefully protest the Rowlatt Act, which allowed the British government to imprison anyone suspected of sedition without trial. General Reginald Dyer, without warning, ordered his troops to open fire on the crowd, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent men, women, and children. The massacre sparked outrage across India and fueled the growing nationalist movement. Today, Jallianwala Bagh features a memorial flame, a well into which many people jumped to escape the gunfire, and bullet marks on the walls, preserved as a stark reminder of the tragedy. Visitors can walk through the garden, read the historical accounts, and pay their respects to the victims. The site offers a somber but important opportunity to understand the sacrifices made during the struggle for Indian independence. There are no specific culinary traditions associated with Jallianwala Bagh itself, but you can find numerous restaurants and food stalls offering traditional Punjabi cuisine in the surrounding area of Amritsar.