The Jallianwaala Bagh Massacre took place on 13th April, 1919 in Jallianwaala Bagh, Amritsar
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The protest against Rowlatt Act was going on in whole India.
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During this time on 9th April two nationalist leaders Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal were arrested by British officials without any provocation.
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On 10th April, thousands of Indian protesters came out to show solidarity with their leaders. But the protest turned violent when Police resorted to firing.
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To quell the disturbances troops were sent
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To restore law and order martial law imposing authority was given to Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer. By then the city has returned to calm and only peaceful protests were being held.
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Then also, general Dyer issued a proclamation forbidding people from leaving city without pass and from organizing demonstrations or procession or assembling in groups of more than three.
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On 13th April,the Baisakhi Day people gathered at Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate the festival, unaware about the prohibitory order. Some local leaders have called for a protest meeting at the venue also but as per known facts majority gathered there to celebrate the festival of Baisakhi.
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In the peaceful meeting even two resolutions were also passed :
1. Calling for repeal of Rowlatt Act
2. condemning the firing by Police on 10th April
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Birgadier Dyer then arrived at the Jallianwala Bagh along with armed troops.
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The troops surrounded the gathering , blocked the exit points and opened fire on the unarmed crowd without any giving them any warning or time to disperse.
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According to British Indian Sources 379 were dead and 1,100 were wounded. But the Indian National Congress estimated more than 1,000 killed and 1500 wounded.
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Rabindranath Tagore renounced his Knighthood in protest.
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Mahatama Gandhi gave up his title of Kaiser-i-hind, bestowed by British for his work during Boer war.
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Seen in an objective way Jallianwala Bagh ensured the Beginning of the end of British Raj in India.