Jallianwala Bagh Memorial – Architecture and Symbolism

Jallianwala Bagh is a special garden and national memorial located near the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It reminds us of the tragic Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that happened on Baisakhi Day, April 13 1919, when many innocent people were killed. This 7-acre place now has  a museum, gallery and memorials to honor the victims.

Entrance of Jallianwala Bagh

The entrance to Jallianwala Bagh is very narrow. It is the same entrance used by General Dyer ad his soldiers during the massacre. At this report, visitors see a statue of Udham Singh, the freedom fighter who later killed Michael O’Dwyer in revenge for the massacre.

Amar Jyoti – The Eternal Flame

Just inside the entrance, there is a flame called Amar Jyoti, which means Eternal Flame. It burns in memory of the martyrs. This flame is located under a small dome-shaped meditation area with the words “Vande Mataram” written nearby.

Martyrs’ Well and Memorial

One of the most emotional parts of the site is the Martyrs’ Well. During the firing, many people jumped into this well to save themselves. Around 120 dead bodies were later taken out of the well. A large memorial structure surrounds it today.

Bullet Marks on the Walls

Some walls of the garden still have bullet marks, which are clearly visible. A sign below one of these walls explains how General Dyer ordered his troops to shoot without warning. A total of 1,650 rounds were fired into the crowd.

Flame-Shaped Memorial

At the center of the garden stands a white memorial shaped like a flame, called the Flame of Liberty. It shows the faces of the martyrs and their names engraved below. This flame stands as  a symbol of India’s freedom struggle.

Museum and Gallery

The site also has a Martyrs’s Gallery and Museum. Inside, you can find:

• Paintings of political leaders
• A painting of the massacre scene
• A portrait of Udham Singh
• One of the seven urns containing Udham Singh’s ashes
• Letters and newspapers clippings from leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore

There are 45 panels in the museum that show the events of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Management of the Memorial

The garden is managed by the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Trust, which was formed under a special law passed in 2025. The trust includes important leaders like the Governor of Punjab, Chief Minister of Punjab and other nominated by the central government.

Earlier, the President of the Indian National Congress was also a trustee, but a 2019 amendment replaced this with the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha.

Renovation Work of the Jallianwala Bagh

The site was renovated between 2019 and 2021 for the 100-year commemoration. The government spent Rs.20 crore for this. Some people criticized the renovation, saying it had changed the original look and emotional feel of the place.