General Dyer’s unrequested command, mysterious death of his brigade major: some lesser-known details about Jallianwala Bagh massacre

On April 13, India observed the 106th anniversary of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. While much has been written about the brutal slaughter that took place in Amritsar, certain minute details are often overlooked in discussions of the broader context. With the recent release of the movie Kesari Chapter 2, which is connected to the massacre, it is worthwhile to highlight some lesser-known facts that, although available in the public domain for years, may not have received the attention they deserve. On April 13, 1919, General Reginald Dyer ordered the British Indian Army to shoot at thousands of Indians who had gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh to peacefully protest against the Rowlatt Act.

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Any clinical examination of General Dyer’s actions in Amritsar must be examined first in light of his military career. He was commissioned into the Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey) as a lieutenant before transferring to the Indian Army. He initially joined the Bengal Staff Corps in 1887 but later moved to the 29th Punjabis. He later served with 25th Punjabis, too, and therefore, he was not a stranger to the Punjabi psyche. Having been born and brought up in India also ensured that he knew the Hindustani language better than an average British officer.