Author: V N Dutta
Gursharan Singh/Parm Bakhshish Singh
Editor(s): Devinder Kumar Verma / Raj Krishan Ghai
Publisher: Punjabi University
Year: 1997
Language: English
Pages: 327
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8173803889
Description
Although seventy five years have passed since that sanguinary Sunday (April 13, 1919), the very name of Jallianwala Bagh brings before our eyes the details of the gory tragedy that tormented the Indian psyche and became the part of it in the times to come. The chroniclers and analists, as we know, have recorded it as an important event in the history of India’s struggle for freedom.
They even ask, what would have been the nature of Indian politics if the Jallianwala Bagh massacre had not taken place? Would Gandhi have emerged as a leader of millions? Would Jawaharlal Nehru have described the Amritsar Congress Session of 1919 as the Gandhi congress? Would Gandhi have incorporated the Khilafat agitation in his non-cooperation movement?
The immediate impact of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Punjab became more pronounced when the Sikhs launched the Gurdwara Reform Movement in 1920 in order to safeguard the sanctity of their religious places. They could not tolerate that their shrines be used by the Government appointed managers of the Gurdwaras to promote and justify the role of Imperial Government.
Though apparently the stir assumed a religious form and had a religious end to achieve but in reality it was a revolt of the community against the system perpetuated by the Government. This was duly endorsed and supported by the Nationalists. The Akalis adopted the method of non-violence and non-cooperation as their creed.
The present volume covering different aspects of Jallianwala Bagh massacre would provide the readers some fresh insight and help in understanding the very nature of India’s struggle for Freedom.
Contents
FOREWORD
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
PART-I
The Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy, The Rowlatt Satyagraha and the Character of the Nationalist Struggle in India-Some Reflections
British Reaction of the Amritsar Massacre 1919-1920
Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy-A Reassessment
Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy and the National Movement Post-War Upsurge in Punjab and The Response Of The National Leadership
Jalliawala Bagh-The Construction of Nationalist Symbol
Versioning Terror-Jallianwala Bagh and the Jungle
Jallianwala Tragedy –Its Impact on the Political Awakening and Thinking in India
Jallianwala Bagh-A Tragedy or Massacre
Psycho-Political compulsions Of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Carnage at Jallianwala Bagh-The Constitutional responsibility
Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy-Its Impact and Emergence As National Historical Monument
Jallianwala Bagh and The Raj
The Amritsar Conspiracy Case, 1919 And Dr Satyapal.
Factors Responsible for Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy
Some Reflections On Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy and Annie Besant’s Politics in India
Murder of Sir Michael Francis O’Dwyer and Trial of Udham Singh
The Imperial Terrorism in Punjab-Its Nature and Implications (1919-1925)
Amritsar, Murder and the Mahatma in 1919
PART II
A Contemporary Perception
Amritsar and Our Duty to India
Introduction
CAUSES OF UNREST
India’s sacrifices and sufferings in the war
War Loan and Recruiting Methods
Political Repression
The Gloom Of 1919
THE ROWLATT BILLS AND THE AGITATION
Origin of the Rowlatt Legislation
The Black Bills
A Peaceful Agitation
THE DISTURBANCES AND THEIR CAUSE
Amritsar
The Amrisar Massacre
Lahore-Gujranwala-Kasur
THE SIX WEEKS TERROR
Was Martial Law Justified?
Dyerarcy in Amritsar
The Physician from Bechuanaland
How Crowds were Bombed and Machine-gunned
O’brien, Doveton and Bosworth-Smith
The Duty of the British People