There was nothing golden
Except perhaps the aura of the sun
Shining on that golden dome
In the April sunshine.
A crowd had gathered to listen
To political speeches
In a walled garden.
This was against general orders
Regarding political gatherings
For nationalisation.
Indians were not permitted to be `national`
In 1919.
There was no escape from the garden
Except perhaps down a well
To either drown or suffocate with packed bodies
When the troops opened fire.
When cease fire sounded
The troops rifle barrels were smoking hot.
Three hundred and eighty
Unarmed Indians were dead
And twelve hundred injured.
"Just carrying out orders"
Said general Dyer.
When surprised to be reprimanded.
Author notes
A horrendous incident in India`s long struggle for freedom.
Finally accomplished in 1947.
In a list
A contest entry
- Write About India! by Harrisham Minhas.
600 points, ended June 9, 2007, 7 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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the emotional beauty of this poem reaches out in very special ways. stimulating and lovely, this choice poem makes me very glad to have found it today.
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I don't recall ever hearing of this horrific incident. You've written of it very informatively and compassionatly here. What a terrible, terrible way to die. And just for listening to a political talk. Humans can be so cold hearted, inhumane... even in "following orders"
An excellent write
Dee
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It is not an incident that is widely published. Just an "incident" in India`s long struggle for independence. We condemn Nazis for `just carrying out orders` in extermination camps, and have things like this on our historical record. Did you know hat Britain invented concentration camps? Yes during the Boer war in S. Africa.
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*sigh* It is horrendous how people treat each other. Sometimes orders shouldn't be followed if it contradicts what is right.
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This is so touching! Really makes one feel bad to think of this incident which took place at Jullian Wala Bagh. Many innocent lives were killed. I visited that place and it was sad to imagine that how people would have suffocated to death in the well and with gunshots.
Well written!
Thanks for your entry. Good luck in my contest.
Harrisham Minhas
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OMG! I'd never heard of this incident of horror. Very sad piece to hear the tale of. Although written well in descriptions and possible historical facts.
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