On April 13, 1919, the chaos and gunfire at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar claimed the lives of many innocents. But behind every death, there were stories of lives cut short—dreams dashed, families torn apart, and communities forever changed. These human stories offer a deeper, more intimate look at the massacre, revealing the diverse range of individuals who were there that day.
Karam Singh: The Silent Martyr
Karam Singh was a 36-year-old farmer from a nearby village, who had come to Amritsar to attend the peaceful protest against the repressive Rowlatt Act. As an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent principles, Karam Singh believed in peaceful resistance, hoping for a day when India would gain freedom through unity and peaceful means. He had a wife, two children, and a small plot of land.
On the day of the massacre, Karam Singh found himself amidst a sea of people in Jallianwala Bagh, most of them unaware of the impending horror. As the first shots rang out, he was struck in the chest by a bullet. Despite the pain, Karam Singh tried to protect a group of children who were near him. His final moments were spent shielding them, urging them to hide behind a nearby tree. He fell to the ground, his body never to return home to his wife and children.
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Years later, his son, now an old man, would recount the story of Karam Singh’s bravery. He spoke of how his father’s legacy became a source of inspiration in their village, a beacon of sacrifice for a cause larger than oneself. His family never received compensation, and the British authorities made no effort to acknowledge Karam Singh’s sacrifice. However, his village remembered him as a martyr—a man who gave his life for India’s future.
Amrit Kaur: the young teacher who had no choice
Amrit Kaur was just 22 years old when she died in Jallianwala Bagh. A teacher at a local school, she had been a passionate advocate for women’s rights and was active in the political discussions of her time. She believed that India’s future was in the hands of educated youth, particularly women, who could lead the charge toward independence.
Amrit’s family had been cautious about her activism. Her parents feared the political unrest in Punjab would lead to violence, but Amrit was determined to attend the gathering in Jallianwala Bagh. The massacre unfolded rapidly, and though Amrit tried to escape, she was caught in the barrage of bullets. She was shot in the head, and her body was found later among the many others that had fallen to the ground.
Her death became a rallying cry for young women in Punjab. Amrit Kaur’s story inspired many women to pursue education and activism despite the dangers. Though her family had hoped she would settle into a quiet life, Amrit Kaur’s sacrifice proved that the price of freedom was sometimes the willingness to step into the unknown, regardless of the personal risks.
Ghulam Mohammad: The family breadwinner who never came home
Ghulam Mohammad was a 40-year-old merchant in Amritsar. He had a modest stall selling cloth, a wife, and three children to feed. Life for him was simple and centered around his business and his family. On April 13, Ghulam Mohammad decided to attend the protest, not as a political activist, but as a concerned citizen.
He had heard about the repressive nature of the Rowlatt Act and its impact on the lives of ordinary people. Ghulam believed that India’s fight for freedom wasn’t just for the elites or political leaders—it was for the common man. He had been concerned about the growing unrest in the region, but like many, he did not anticipate such brutal violence.
When the firing started, Ghulam tried to escape but was hit in the back by a bullet. He collapsed and died instantly. His wife, Zainab, never saw him again. The children, who had grown up with the promise of a father’s love and guidance, were left fatherless. Zainab was left to raise the family alone in a world that had suddenly turned cruel and unpredictable.
The family received no compensation from the British authorities, and Zainab struggled for years to keep the family afloat. But she never gave up. She would later speak of Ghulam’s dedication to the cause of independence, even in the face of personal peril. His death became a symbol for many working-class families who, like Ghulam Mohammad, believed that their voices mattered in the fight for freedom.
Harvinder Singh: The young soldier who returned as a martyr
Harvinder Singh was just 19 years old when he was killed in Jallianwala Bagh. He had joined the British Indian Army during World War I, hoping to earn a living and prove his courage. He had served in Europe and had returned to India a war hero, having been decorated for his bravery. However, when he returned, he found the political landscape in Punjab rife with tension. The Rowlatt Act had left him feeling betrayed—his service to the British Army seemed to have been for nothing, as he was still treated as a second-class citizen in his own land.
On the morning of April 13, Harvinder Singh joined the protest in Amritsar. He, like many others, was not expecting violence. When the British troops opened fire, he immediately sprang into action to protect a group of women and children nearby. Harvinder was hit multiple times and collapsed, dying in a pool of blood.
His death had a profound effect on his community. Harvinder’s story of sacrifice was passed down through the years, especially among the young men of his village, who admired him for his bravery both on the battlefield and on the streets of Amritsar. His death underscored the tragic irony that many soldiers who had fought for the British during the war would later fall victim to their own government’s brutality.
Bhagwan Kaur: The mother who lost her child
Bhagwan Kaur was a 35-year-old mother who had brought her 6-year-old daughter, Parvinder Kaur, to the protest. She had heard about the rally and thought it was an opportunity to make her voice heard for the future of her daughter and the future of India. Her husband, a local carpenter, had stayed home that day, concerned about the unrest.
As the firing broke out, Bhagwan Kaur did everything in her power to protect her daughter. She held Parvinder tightly in her arms and tried to shield her from the bullets, but in the chaos, Bhagwan Kaur was shot in the chest. Parvinder, traumatized but miraculously unharmed, witnessed her mother’s death.
In the aftermath, Parvinder was left orphaned, taken in by her grandparents. The loss of her mother haunted her for years, but as she grew older, she began to understand the significance of that day. Bhagwan Kaur’s selfless act of love and protection became an enduring symbol of the sacrifices that mothers across India made during the fight for independence.
The unseen faces of Jallianwala Bagh
The victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre were not merely statistics—they were fathers, mothers, teachers, children, and soldiers. Their stories are woven into the fabric of India’s fight for freedom, and their sacrifices echo across generations. For each of them, that day marked the end of a life full of potential. Yet, their deaths also marked the beginning of a new chapter in India’s history, where ordinary people rose up, regardless of the cost, to demand dignity, justice, and freedom.
As we remember the events of April 13, 1919, it’s not just the tragic number of lives lost that should be honored. It is the individual lives—the dreams, the hopes, the quiet acts of courage—that continue to inspire us to this day. These human stories are what keep the memory of Jallianwala Bagh alive, reminding us that the fight for justice is not just about political movements, but about the lives of ordinary people who stand together for a better future.
