The greatest gift for an individual or a nation, so we had been told in our ancient books, was abhay (fearlessness), not merely bodily courage but the absence of fear from the mind… at the dawn of our history, that it was the function of the leaders of a people to make them fearless. The essence of his teaching was fearlessness and truth, and action allied to these, always keeping the welfare of the masses in view. Much that he said we only partially accepted or sometimes did not accept at all. Political freedom took new shape and then acquired a new content. Here is part of General Dyer's testimony: A British military committee investigated the Amritsar massacre. This meant that many people did not get the message, especially those who were traveling into the city of Amritsar from nearby villages. However, Dyer's warning was not broadcast throughout the city or published in the newspaper. General Dyer issued a statement prohibiting this meeting. It was a rally for independence as well as a celebration of Baisakhi day, a national religious festival for Sikhs, Hindus, and Buddhists.

Sheehan's account indicates that this gathering was a combination of two events. Soldiers blocked the fifth, and largest, exit. The park only had five exits: four of these were narrow pathways.

Next, General Dyer ordered his troops to fire on a peaceful gathering in a park in the northern city of Amritsar. Indians were forced to crawl down the street where she was beaten. In response, General Dyer put in place really harsh punishments. From this account, it appears that an English headmistress of a school had been attacked.

Imagined community book