Jallianwala Bagh massacre
After the Sepoy Mutiny and later unsuccessful attempts, the British were in fear of conspiracies and further revolts. In 1919, the British government passed the Rowlatt Act to root out conspiracies and suppress public unrest. Any person suspected of terrorism was to be imprisoned for a period of two years without trial.
The Indian people opposed the Act and `hartals` were organized. Unfortunately, riots broke out and in Punjab casualties were sustained. The province was put under martial law and public gatherings were banned.
On April 13, thousands of people gathered in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, to celebrate the festival of Baisakhi. On hearing this, Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, suspecting an uprising, went to the venue with soldiers and opened fire without any warning. According to official sources, 379 were killed and 1,100 wounded.