Martyrs' Obelisk: A Somber Memorial

The Martyrs' Obelisk, a towering red stone pillar, stands as the central memorial within Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. This garden serves as a permanent reminder of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, a horrific event that occurred on April 13, 1919. On that day, British troops opened fire on a large, peaceful gathering of unarmed Indians, killing hundreds. The obelisk, erected in approximately 1961, is a 45-foot-tall flame-shaped pillar. It was built to pay homage to the thousands of innocent people who lost their lives in the massacre. The memorial stands as a solemn testament to the sacrifices made during India's struggle for independence. The site is saturated with the blood of thousands of Indian patriots who were martyred in a nonviolent struggle to free India from British domination. Visitors to Jallianwala Bagh can also see the preserved bullet marks on the walls and the well into which many people jumped to escape the gunfire. The garden also houses a Martyr's Gallery, with portraits of freedom fighters. The entrance to the memorial is through a narrow passage called the “martyr's gallery,” which leads to the main garden area. It is surrounded by high walls on all sides.