In a Garden?
A garden is a peaceful place for relaxation, rest, and contemplation. It can also be a meeting place. Such it was in a garden, Jallianwala Bagh, in Amritsar, Punjab on Sunday, April 15, 1919. The day was one of the Punjab’s largest religious festivals. During this historical period, there was unrest and protest against the British who out of fear forbade Indian people the freedom to move around the country or meet in groups.This, too, was the case of slaves in the South before the Civil War. Plantation owners feared revolt. Slaves were not taught to read or write and could only congregate on Sundays at church. And these pronouncements in India were published only in English, unread by the majority of non-English speaking or reading Indians. That Sunday in Amritsar, the group of men, women, and children numbering thousands were meeting to plan a protest of the unjust British laws as well as celebrate their festival. The crowd was peacefully sitting and listening to speakers and no one in the garden was armed.
Without warning, 50 British soldiers walked in through the one and only entrance to the garden, blocking any means of escape. The soldiers stood in execution lines. General Dyer gave the order to “Fire until all the ammunition is exhausted.” The soldiers shot over 1600 rounds of ammunition into unarmed, defenseless men, women, and children. Desperately trying to escape, people fought to climb the surrounding walls, and open the locked gates. Still the bullets kept coming. There is a large well in the center and many fleeing, panicked people decided to throw themselves and their children into the well to a death by drowning rather than be shot. I thought of the poor people on 9/11 in New York, at the World Trade Center, who decided a quick death by jumping was preferable to waiting to be burned alive. They faced the same death decision as these Indians so many years ago. The well is dry today, and is named the Martyr’s Well. The following is a reenactment of the massacre on YouTube and is a chilling picture of the event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE9_zB8k_lk
There is a picture of this” killing field” in the garden and when seeing it, I was reminded of Picasso’s Guiernica, a painting showing the horrors of war. General Dyer was later relieved of his command, but until this day no British leader has apologized for this their bloodiest act in India. Last year David Cameron, the Prime Minister voiced regret, but stopped just short of an apology.
This date in Indian history may well mark the beginning of their long journey for independence from Britain. And on this date, Jallianwala Bagh once known as a peaceful garden, became known as hallowed ground, the place to remember this merciless massacre.
 |
| .Guernica by Pablo Picasso Madrid, Spain |
TalesAlongTheWay 
Thank you again for this historical glimpse into India. Had I proceeded through the book I would’ve known this already I’m sure, lol. But we are in the process of moving. It’s been a long process finding a house (prices are nuts here) and then trying to consolidate two houses. I hope to get back to the book soon because I really adore this history!! Something about the Indian culture fascinates me, and I sooo want to go there some day! Thank you again. 🙂
LikeLike
Wow you are very busy! The book you are referring to, “AN Indian Summer?” That actually was 40 years from this story. I don’t remember it being mentioned. Est wishes. . . . . Happy weekend!
LikeLike
I like the art work there.
LikeLike
Amazing paining in its own room of the museum !
LikeLike
I cannot find the right words to comment. But thank you for sharing xx
LikeLike
I know , it doesn ‘t seem right to like!
LikeLike
No…
LikeLike
It is such a touching story and we were there. . . .very powerful place….
LikeLike
It looks it x
LikeLike
Inspiring and moving. Horrifying and sad as well knowing so many innocent died because of man’s greed for power and indifference to human freedom. Oppression and slavery, colonization and taking another country’s right and identity is unforgivable. Even more unforgivable when the oppressors don’t admit guilt and responsibility. I grew in a country oppressed by Spain hundreds of years ago and till today, the effects of that colonization can still be felt in the lives and hearts of every Filipino. Thanks for sharing this story. My this post serve to open the hearts of nations who still continue to oppressed other countries or it’s own people.
LikeLike
May this post open the hearts of nations…
LikeLike
May it be. . . .
LikeLike
What a beautiful comment. I am touched by your feelings and your words. And I say “amen” to your wish for the nations of the world and for all oppressed people everywhere. Blessings to to you !
LikeLike
Recently I too visited this Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Though I knew the history of this place but after my visit I was very much depressed actually. This place had vibes, something that made me actually feel the pain of those people who had gathered and were brutally killed.
LikeLike
You know, I had the same experience there. I tried to convey that in the post. I have been to a few other places that affected me in a similar way….Dachau, concentration camp near Munich, the holocaust museum in Washington DC, The fort in Ghana in west Africa where the natives waited in bondage to be taken away on the Portuguese ships as slaves, I think very sensitive people have these connections with places of suffering.
LikeLike
Yup sensitive people can easily connect with these kind of places. Its because they have strong feelings realted to everything.
LikeLike
I think that is very true.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on TalesAlongTheWay and commented:
Another of my favorite places in India. . . inside a walled garden tucked way in a narrow, windy street in Amritsar, Punjab. . . . . . .
LikeLike
Pingback: One Last Artist. . . . Pablo Picasso | TalesAlongTheWay