A public garden called Jallianwala Bagh is located in the Punjab state of northern India’s Amritsar city. It is significant to the country because it serves as a monument to all the Native Americans who perished in 1919 as a result of an open fire set by the infamous British General Dyer. Jallianwala Bagh is one of the most popular historical sites in Amritsar today, serving as a memorial of national significance.
Historical Context of Jallianwala Bagh
Jallianwala Bagh was owned privately by the family of Himmat Singh, one of Sikhism’s Five Beloved Ones, during the Sikh Empire’s rule. It is thought to have been a garden or garden house in the past. But in 1919, Jallianwala Bagh was just an uneven piece of land with a single, 10-foot-tall wall surrounding it.
General Dyer of the British Army issued an order on April 13, 1919, prohibiting any form of public gathering in Amritsar that involved four or more people. However, a large crowd assembled in Jallianwala Bagh to celebrate the occasion because it was Baisakhi Day, the primary religious holiday of the Sikhs. There were men, women, and kids present during this event. Upon discovering this gathering, Dyer led his troops there, shut off the main entrance, and gave the order for them to open fire on the defenseless throng. The soldiers fired for about ten minutes until their ammunition was nearly depleted.
A huge number of people were killed by the bullets; several died after being crushed in the stampede that took place due to the firing. Many of the helpless people jumped into the 20-foot-deep well inside the garden to escape the bullets and died there. British official sources declared that 379 people had died and around 1200 were injured. The Indian National Congress estimated that 1000 people had died and more than 1500 were wounded.
This incident, which is still considered one of the most tragic incidents in India’s history, came to be known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre or the Amritsar Massacre. The Government of India established a memorial inside the garden in 1951 to honor the martyrs of that fateful day.
Design Elements and Their Issues
Old Elements
The presence of old trees and buildings with ‘Vande Mataram’ inscribed on them marks the area. The ‘Amar Jyoti’ flame, burning under a domed area, serves as a tribute to the martyrs.
Historical Remnants
Bullet marks on the walls serve as grim reminders of the massacre. However, alterations to historic elements like the well and bullet-marked walls have sparked controversy—using Nanakshahi bricks and removing the original well superstructure.
Entry Passage Mannequins
The narrow passage entry, which remains the same as during the massacre, maintains historical authenticity. However, some historians have critiqued the half-mannequins in the entry alleyway for their expressions and attire, deeming them historically inaccurate and culturally insensitive.
Landscape Alterations
Changes to the garden’s landscape, including the central pathway and mounds, have raised concerns about their appropriateness in commemorating the tragic event.
Reconstruction and Renovation Efforts
Restoration Efforts
Restoration efforts have focused on parts of Jallianwala Bagh that were restored and recreated over the years. The introduction of Udham Singh, an important figure in the Indian Independence movement, whose statue stands at the entrance, adds a significant historical layer to the memorial.
New Additions
The installation of sculptures representing martyrs and ordinary Punjabis on the high walls of the narrow lane has been a notable addition. These sculptures aim to evoke the spirit of resistance and sacrifice. However, some critiques have emerged regarding the artistic interpretation of these sculptures, with some arguing that they may not accurately represent the historical context.
Interpretative Galleries and Multimedia Elements
The creation of four new galleries showcasing Punjab’s history, the freedom movement, and the Gadar movement through adaptive reuse of underutilized buildings has been a major development. However, the audio-visual presentation has been criticized for issues like the cacophony of sounds and inappropriate slogans that detract from the solemnity of the site. Visitors have reported that the presentations, although informative, sometimes overshadow the sombre tone that should accompany a site of such tragic historical importance.
Martyrs Well (Shahidi Khu)
The well, where people jumped to escape the bullets, now features a glass enclosure. This has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the glass restricts the view and diminishes the emotional impact. The well, a crucial element of the site’s history, is seen by many as being overly sanitized and commercialized through the addition of the glass structure.
Community Involvement and Sensitivity
The importance of involving local communities and descendants of massacre victims in the renovation process cannot be overstated. This involvement ensures that the renovations remain sensitive to local narratives and historical context. Unfortunately, some critics point out that the renovation process has sometimes sidelined these critical voices, leading to decisions that may not fully respect the site’s historical significance.
Critique from Historical Conservationist – Gurmeet S.Rai
Conservation architect Gurmeet S. Rai observed that the previous superstructure of the well had been removed and replaced with a structure clad in lakhori bricks, also known as Nanak Shahi bricks, which are associated with the medieval period and the life and times of Guru Nanak. She questioned the choice of these bricks, as the site has no connection to the medieval period.
Rai highlighted that early 20th-century photographs show Jallianwala Bagh as an unkempt open space with a low-lying area where people gathered. This layout gave General Dyer and his men a clear advantage when firing at the crowd, resulting in a tragic loss of lives. However, the current design includes mounds instead of the original low-lying area, which she considers a complete reversal of the historical layout. Rather than erecting manicured mounds surrounded by fencing, Rai said that the planners may have reproduced the low-lying region with natural grass and memorialized each person who died at the Bagh.
She also noted that a sculpture commemorating the event was constructed at the entrance of Jallianwala Bagh during the creation of the ‘heritage street’ in 2016. However, she felt that historic incidents and locations associated with the massacre, such as the ‘crawling street,’ were overlooked by the new designers and consultants. Rai emphasized the value of including the tales and viewpoints of the people who died at Jallianwala Bagh on the tribute site and wondered if the immediate descendants of those who were killed there were considered during the architectural reconstruction process.
Rai concluded that the initiative was required to pay greater attention to the stories being told by the local people and the Amritsar urban environment, where the event was held. In her opinion, a more comprehensive strategy was necessary for the project to adequately inform tourists and provide them with a greater appreciation of this momentous occasion in Indian history.
The renovation efforts at Jallianwala Bagh have aimed to preserve the historical significance of the site while introducing modern elements to enhance visitor engagement. However, balancing modernization with the site’s historical integrity remains a challenge.
