5. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

In this episode of the "Empire" podcast, hosts Anita Anand and William Dalrymple delve into the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919. They start by expressing gratitude to their listeners and responding to questions about the massacre, particularly regarding who issued the orders and how much the British knew at the time. They then welcome Professor Kim Wagner, a specialist in colonial violence, who offers a thorough overview of the events leading to the massacre, including the Drum Proclamation and General Dyer’s actions. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on the absence of a British state apology for the atrocities and its lasting effects on Anglo-Indian relations. They emphasize the stark contrast between the British view of the incident as a necessary response to rebellion and the harsh reality of unarmed civilians being killed.