Jallianwala Bagh, the 1919 memorial in Amritsar
Jallianwala Bagh is a memorial garden in the old city of Amritsar, close to the Golden Temple. On 13 April 1919 troops under the command of Reginald Dyer fired on an unarmed crowd that had gathered here. The garden is kept in memory of the people who died.
Reginald Dyer, who commanded the troops, is not the same person as Michael O'Dwyer, who was then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. The two names are sometimes mixed up. This page gives the facts, the range of figures for the dead, and practical details for a quiet visit.
What happened on 13 April 1919
A short, factual account.
On 13 April 1919 a crowd had gathered in the garden. The people were unarmed. Troops commanded by Reginald Dyer opened fire on them. The massacre is remembered in Amritsar to this day.
Nobody can give a single exact number for those who died, and the figures differ. The official report of the time counted 379 dead. Indian estimates speak of more than 1,000. You may also see a figure of 2,000 killed or wounded. That counts a different group and is not a number of deaths. When you see a single number on a sign or in a guide, read it as one figure inside this range.
The memorial today
The wall with bullet marks and the well are kept as part of the memorial. The bullet holes in the wall are marked, and this is where many visitors stop. The renovated complex and the museum galleries were inaugurated on 28 August 2021.
The garden itself is open and calm, and most visitors walk through it slowly.
Visiting Jallianwala Bagh
Practical details for a respectful visit.
Opening hours
The garden and memorial are open from 06:30 to 19:30, the museum galleries from 10:00 to 17:00. Hours can change with the season, so check at the gate before you plan around the museum.
Entry
Entry is free. If a charge applies for any part of the complex on the day, it will be posted at the entrance.
Getting there
The garden lies near the Golden Temple and can be reached on foot through the old city. The Partition Museum is a 5 to 7 minute walk from both places.
Partition Museum →How to behave
This is a place of mourning. Speak quietly, keep phones silent and dress as you would for a visit to the temple. Take your time at the wall and the well.
Take your time
There is no need to rush through the garden. Walk the paths, stand at the wall and the well, and read what the displays say. If you also plan to see the Golden Temple and the Partition Museum on the same day, Jallianwala Bagh is the place to go slowly and leave room afterwards for a quiet moment.
The pages for the temple and the Partition Museum have the practical details for the rest of the day.
Places nearby that tell the wider story
Partition Museum
Memories of the 1947 partition of British India in the Town Hall.
Golden Temple history
The Gurus, Ranjit Singh and June 1984, told factually.
Golden Temple timings and rules
Head covering, shoes and opening hours for the temple.
Amritsar beyond the temple
Other places in the city and how to combine them.
Jallianwala Bagh: frequently asked questions
What happened at Jallianwala Bagh?
On 13 April 1919 troops commanded by Reginald Dyer fired on an unarmed crowd gathered in the garden in Amritsar. The place is now a memorial.
How many people died?
The figures differ. The official report of the time counted 379 dead, while Indian estimates speak of more than 1,000. A figure of 2,000 killed or wounded counts a different group and is not a number of deaths.
What are the opening hours?
The garden and memorial are open from 06:30 to 19:30 and the museum galleries from 10:00 to 17:00. Check at the gate, because hours can change with the season.
Is entry free?
Entry is free. Any charge for a part of the complex would be posted at the entrance.
How far is it from the Golden Temple?
It is close, and you can walk through the old city. The Partition Museum, a 5 to 7 minute walk away, makes a natural stop on the same route.
Is this the official website of the memorial?
No. This is an independent visitor guide and not run by the memorial, its trust or any authority. Notices at the site take priority.