Answer:
The Amritsar Massacre was a mass murder in the northern Indian city of Amritsar on April 13, 1919. It was carried out by British Raj troops against protesters claiming independence of India.
The event was motivated by the extension of emergency powers to the British governor in India, Michel O’Dwyer, during the First World War, in order to combat subversion. Indian activist and politician Mahatma Gandhi called on all Hindus to oppose this action. When local leaders allied themselves in the Indian National Congress, they were arrested, which caused followers to gather to protest.
Under the command of General Reginald E. H Dyer, British troops were sent to restore order and went to the square called Jallianwalla Bagh, where they opened fire on some 20,000 unarmed protesters. After the soldiers had positioned themselves at the only exit from the square, Dyer ordered them to fire without warning the crowd (which included women and children). It was estimated that between 380 and 1000 people died in the massacre, and approximately 1200 wounded.
The wider consequence was a marked strengthening of the Indian independence movement. While it would be many years before India gained independence, the Amritsar massacre was, in a way, a turning point. The British rulers proved willing to use excessive force, and it was clear to the Indian people that only full independence would be acceptable.