On the evening of the 10th, General Dyer arrived at Amritsar, and the Deputy-Commissioner handed over the civil power to him. He issued a proclamation by word of mouth that no meetings should be held. Two days later, after there had been no sort of riot, nor murder, General Dyer heard that a meeting was to be held at the Jallianwala Bagh. He proceeded there with about fifty troops, half British, half Indian, and a certain number of Ghurkas, armed with their kukris. The Jallianwala Bagh is an open space, half a mile square, which has one entry wide enough for three persons. The troops got in and lined up on a mound of debris. The walls, seven feet high, and the surrounding houses enclosed the people. There were, too, three alleys through which the people might have been able to pass. Within thirty seconds of the troops getting in, General Dyer gave orders to fire, and the crowd of people, estimated at anything from 5,000 to 20,000, who were sitting on the ground peacefully listening to the mob oratory, were fired on. The result of the troops’ fire into the mass of people we do not know. But we do know that Dyer’s own estimate of the casualties resulting from ten minutes continual individual firing, was 400 to 500 killed and 1,500 wounded. The people were not able to escape. They were people who had not offered any violence and who had not been warned. These people were shot down. After ten minutes, the ammunition was exhausted and the troops marched off, and they left 1,500 wounded there. There were men lying there for two days, dying of thirst, eating the ground, bleeding to death and nobody to look after them. Those who lived nearby came and carried away some of the wounded from the heap of dead and dying, but the unfortunate country people died there miserably of their wounds. This is what is done in 1919 in British India... Centuries hence you will find Indian children brought up to this spot, just as they visit now the Cawnpore Well, and you can imagine the feelings of these Indians for generations over this terrible business. [Col. Wedgwood, MP, speaking in the British Parliament, 22 December 1919]
In the light of the above passage, what was the intention of the speaker?
Correct Answer :
To expose the deeds of General Dyer
Solution :
The correct option is To expose the deeds of General Dyer.
Step-by-step Explanation:
1. Analyze the Source and Context:
The given passage is an excerpt from a speech delivered by Colonel Wedgwood, a Member of Parliament, in the British Parliament on December 22, 1919. He is addressing the British legislature regarding the events of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that took place earlier that year.
2. Examine the Content of the Speech:
The speaker presents a vivid, factual, and critical recount of General Dyer's actions at Jallianwala Bagh. Key details highlighted include:
- General Dyer fired upon a peaceful, unarmed crowd without any warning or prior riot/murder.
- The entrance was blocked, making escape impossible.
- Firing continued for ten minutes until ammunition was exhausted, leaving hundreds dead and over 1,500 wounded without medical attention.
- The long-lasting tragic impact and sense of outrage this event would leave on future generations of Indians.
3. Determine the Speaker's Main Intention:
By recounting these brutal details officially in the Parliament, Col. Wedgwood aimed to reveal and bring to light the atrocities committed by General Dyer in British India. Thus, the primary purpose was to expose the deeds of General Dyer to the Parliament and the public.
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