[indistinct shouting]
[Conspiracy]
[title music plays]
[Kantilal] Three days before the Jallianwala Bagh massacre,
on 10th April, the event at Civil Lines
was the ringmaster's plot.
And I'll reveal that plot.
[crowd murmurs]
Quiet please.
Deputy Commissioner Irving told us a month ago
about security arrangements at the Civil Lines.
[One month ago] I had ordered DSP Plomer
to bolster security arrangements at the Civil Lines
and had asked him to send police reinforcements.
It was a full deployment of forces.
Full deployment of forces.
Full deployment meant innumerable officers there.
[Kantilal] Lord Hunter... only six.
Just six.
Isn't it obvious?
Six officers cannot control a crowd.
And the crowd thought
they could defeat the six officers.
Overpower them.
[Kantilal] The officers retreated and the crowd followed them.
But the crowd had no clue
of the surprise...
lurking around the corner.
[indistinct crowd shouting]
[Kantilal] Standing with DSP Plomer was the Somerset Infantry.
Lord Hunter, if the Somerset Infantry,
Major Hutton and DSP Plomer were present,
why were only six guards stationed at the first gate?
What were they trying to do?
Were they guarding the gates or enticing the crowds
to make a move?
But the crowd was unaware
of the circus planned by the ringmaster
[Kantilal] that history would call... the Civil Lines riots.
Fire!
[gunshot]
But before I tell you what happened after,
on the morning of 10th April, four hours before the Civil Lines riots,
Amritsar was peaceful.
But it was momentary.
[Four hours before the Civil Lines riots]
Gursev,
ring the bell please.
[Hari] Sherwood Madam.
Sorry, sorry. No!
- Really sorry, madam. - This boy is late again, Mr. Singh.
Yes, madam. From tomorrow, he will never be late.
- My guarantee. - Isn't that what you said yesterday?
Heavens! Don't hit the child.
Ma'am he is late everyday.
And I get yelled at because of him. Apologize.
Sorry, miss.
Sorry, madam.
Oh, stop it now. Alright, you can go in.
- Come on, hurry up. - Yes, miss.
[Ms. Sherwood] But it's the last time. Alright? Promise? Go on.
Madam, tomorrow if he's late...
I give a guarantee... You can punish me.
I'll bear the punishment.
Neither Teju, Hari nor Ms. Sherwood understood
the magnanimity of the punishment.
[Three hours before the Civil Lines riot]
[Dr. Innis] Is the pain here?
- Yes. - Let me see.
- It's moved up. - Up?
Poonam, I am pretty satisfied that you are pregnant.
Sister, you are pregnant.
You must be very careful.
- Alright. - Rab Rakha.
What is that?
Rab Rakha.
Rab Rakha means God bless.
But would God bless Dr. Innis or not?
- Are you ready to make a bet? - All ready, sir.
We'll get two-four annas and we'll be sorted.
One...
two... three!
[Bhullar laughing]
You lost!
You lose.
- Five rupees. Come on, pay up. - Well done!
Give money.
We don't have any money on us. We'll pay you tomorrow.
Tomorrow is unpredictable. Pay now.
[Kantilal] Tomorrow is unpredictable.
They had no clue about what tomorrow held.
[One hour before the Civil Lines riot]
[Song] ♪ A short life in this world ♪
♪ A short life in this world ♪
♪ Here then gone the next ♪
[Kantilal] Before the Civil Lines riots, Amritsar was peaceful.
But a ringmaster,
sitting miles away,
created havoc in the city.
Fire!
[gunshots]
[Song] ♪ Some left us ♪
♪ Someone's going ♪
♪ Some left us Someone's going ♪
♪ Some pack and leave ♪
♪ Another waits lonely ♪
♪ Life is here then gone the next ♪
[Song continues] ♪ A world of wrong, lies, and illusions ♪
Charge!
♪ You may have earned millions ♪
♪ A world of wrong, lies and illusions ♪
♪ You may have earned millions ♪
♪ But all is left behind in the game of hide and seek ♪
♪ These worldly pleasures are short-lived ♪ [camera shutter clicks]
♪ In the name of the Lord, pray ♪
♪ Brahmanand says, "Listen, child ♪
♪ "Life is a game of hide and seek" ♪
[projector's shutter clicks]
[music playing]
[Kantilal] The bullets did not end the riots.
In fact, they marked a new beginning.
Then came the ringmaster's next move.
The Civil Hospital was only two minutes from Civil Lines.
Two minutes.
I requested DSP Plomer...
I begged him...
Officer Plomer sir!
Please open the gate, sir. They are really hurt.
But he didn't pay heed.
He said...
There are clinics in the city. Take them there.
Hospitals in the city are too far. The Civil Hospital's right here.
Nobody passes the Civil Lines. Go back!
- [Plomer] Seniors' orders. Now go. - Sir.
To get to the City Hospital, the wounded had to
[Kantilal] pass Lohagarh gate,
[indistinct crying]
cross Kesari lane...
and Resham bazaar,
instead of two minutes
they had to walk 30 minutes.
The dead and wounded
[Kantilal] being taken back to the city
would irk the onlookers.
This was the ringmaster's next ploy.
That brewed a storm in the city.
[Kantilal] A storm of outrage.
It is often referred to as "The calm before the storm".
Not a peep. Pin drop silence.
But that's not true, Lord Hunter.
In reality, silence speaks volumes.
[ceramic shatters]
The sound of thumping hearts.
Of blood gushing through the veins.
A silent storm that none can hear.
Those who can hear it are holding on to dear breath.
They believe if they don't breathe, the storm won't harm them.
It will forgive and pass them.
But storms are unforgiving.
It's out to satiate its hunger.
Years of pent up anger,
was going to fuel the storm
and make it outrageous.
[people crying]
Brothers, listen up.
The cruel British have killed our people.
Now, it is time to return the favor. Will you fight beside me?
- [crowd] Yes! - Will you seek revenge?
People of Amritsar, it's time to take revenge.
[glass shatters]
[people shouting]
The flare of the outrage
and the madness of anger.
It was time for Amritsar to burn.
[people shouting]
- Allahbaksh, don't. - No, Kanti.
- Allahbaksh, don't do it. - Move out of my way!
Allahbaksh!
[dramatic rousing music]
- Satish! - Let's go!
The British flag!
Come on, everyone.
[people shouting]
Satish!
Let go of me!
Let go!
[gunshot]
[intense musical buildup]
That Britisher shot at us!
[gunshot]
Come on, get up!
[people shouting]
[gunshot]
Come on! Come on!
Allahbaksh!
[gunshot]
Allahbaksh!
Bloody hell!
You brown savages!
Get the rifle!
[intense musical rise]
Allahbaksh! Don't do it!
[crowd shouting]
Long live revolution!
Deakins, Crompton run! Edward, lock the doors now!
Long live revolution!
[Teju] Look down.
Don't let the Britisher escape.
Long live revolution!
Look for him ahead.
[mob] He's escaping.
Stop it!
Stop it! I'm alright.
[mob] Kill him!
Long live revolution!
Get back!
Stay back!
[gunshot]
Stop!
Brother...
Kill him, Brother!
Bhullar.
Tell them you and I are friends. Please, Bhullar!
Hit him.
[crowd shouting]
[Kantilal] Lord Hunter, riots are usually
faceless and nameless.
But I believe riots have a face.
That of a savage.
Inhuman. Monstrous.
And sometimes it is a face we recognize.
[eerie silence]
[emotional music]
[emotional music continues]
[solemn music plays]
[gunshot]
[stone thuds]
[solemn music continues]
Long live revolution!
[solemn music]
[emotional music]
[emotional music continues]
[Kantilal] On the 10th of April I realized a riot can strip a person of his humanity.
[projector's shutter clicks]
[Kantilal] Lord Hunter, five Britishers were killed.
But what arrangements were made for their safety?
A month ago, DC Irving told us...
[One month ago] I did request Colonel Smith to bring all the Britishers
in the city, to the Civil Lines for their safety.
Can you tell us when did you give this order?
9th of April.
A day before Satyapal and Kitchlew's arrest.
That is correct.
But Colonel Smith told us last month...
Colonel Smith, when did you decide to take the Britishers to Civil Lines?
On the 9th of April.
Like the Deputy Commissioner said to the Commission.
Colonel Smith, if the decision was made on 9th April,
why didn't you immediately transport British civilians to Civil Lines?
There was this fear
that if we moved British civilians
on the 9th itself out of the city,
Indians could get alerted of the big plans taking place.
Then arresting Satyapal and Kitchlew
would be extremely challenging on the 10th.
This confirms that the safety of the Britishers was not a priority.
It was important to arrest Satyapal and Kitchlew.
[crowd murmurs]
- Mr. Sahni... - Hear me out, Lord Hunter,
before you deem me dramatic.
The city was engulfed in a storm of hatred,
[Kantilal] and the police were just waiting.
We can't do anything until we receive Plomer sir's orders. Let's go.
If the British administration wanted
they could have saved those British lives.
[Kantilal] But they did not.
The British administration sacrificed them.
This was their plan.
These were the five unfortunate Britishers
whose lives...
the British administration was willing to sacrifice
for the arrest of Satyapal and Kitchlew.
Even at that time,
who took responsibility for British lives?
The people of Amritsar.
[banging, shouting]
[mob] Send the doctor out!
Send her out.
Send the doctor out!
Send her out.
Send the doctor out!
Send her out.
Nurse Lakshmi, do you know what is it?
[Lakshmi] The Britishers shot some Indians.
It has sparked riots.
Lakshmi, lock the doors. Hide the patients.
They rebel against the government, they resort to violence.
Of course, they deserve to be shot at.
[mob] Send her out.
Hey...
why are you screaming?
- Get that Britisher out! - Send her out.
There is no Britisher inside!
There's no one. She left.
She'll be inside if there are patients.
- No one's inside. - Why do they want me?
- You hide. - Why do they want me?
[people chanting 'The Lord's name is the Truth']
[chanting continues]
Move.
Inspector Khan.
Let him go. I know him.
What happened?
Why aren't you taking any action?
Can't you see what's happening?
We are waiting for orders.
What orders?
our city is burning. Please!
I can't do anything.
[banging on the door]
- [crowd] Send the doctor out! - [Poonam] No one's here!
What are we going to do?
Madam, please... you must hide.
I can't get out through there.
- There is no way for me to get out. - Wait.
[mob] Send her out.
There is nowhere to hide. That's the thing.
The first place they'll come is into my office.
- Madam. - Oh no!
- No, Poonam. - Madam, wear the burkha.
No, I will not be seen dead wearing that. We have to find another way.
I am not wearing that. Okay.
What are you doing?
Rifles down.
Kanti, give me the gun.
- Please, come with me. - Kanti, give me the gun.
[crashing sounds]
Please.
People are dying. Save them.
Please.
Let's go!
Send the Britisher out.
Wait... the door's opening.
[Poonam sobbing] Come.
Who is that?
That's sister Poonam.
Let her through. Sister, who was this?
A relative of Teju's.
Let them through.
[Poonam fake sobbing]
Let her go. Make way.
Go and check upstairs.
Let's go. Check every room.
Come on.
- [mob] Check properly. - Find her.
[gunshots]
Hit him.
[people shouting]
[gunshots continue]
- Father, are you okay? - Yes, I'm fine.
Go home, Father. I'll see you later.
It's a riot.
Kanti...
Let's go!
Lakshmi, have they gone?
- Yes, they've gone. - All okay?
- Should I bring her back? - Yes.
Come.
Madam.
Safe.
Go inside.
Take her inside.
Rab... Rab...
Rab Rakha...
- God bless. - Rab Rakha.
Close the door.
[temple bells chime]
Get her.
[Kid] She's the teacher.
[Ms. Sherwood] Please... Please.
- Please... open the door. [banging on door] - Catch her!
[screams]
Hit her!
- Hit her. - Please.
You know me. Please no.
Hey! Stop, Mahesh!
Mahesh. Baljeet, stop!
Ignore him. Hit her.
Hit her!
What are you doing here?
- Brother Mahesh told me to-- - Get lost!
Run away!
Mahesh, let madam go.
Let this Britisher go?
They shot my brothers.
She is a school teacher. She teaches our kids.
- Let her go. - She's still a Britisher.
Out of my way.
We were the same people
who greeted each other every morning and evening.
We were friends.
But someone miles away
turned us into circus animals.
Hari!
Madam!
Sherwood madam. Get the cart.
Madam.
Madam, come on.
Let's go!
Careful.
Careful. Lay her down here.
Are you alright?
Here you go.
What happened?
Who is in there?
Good God!
[Hari] What's happening in Amritsar?
Look at our Amritsar, Punnu?
What has our country turned into?
[Hari crying]
[Kantilal] 25 people died in Amritsar that day.
Twenty Indians and five Britishers.
Colonizers spilling native blood is common.
Sorry, Lord Hunter, but it's true.
But after 1857, for the first time,
five Britishers died.
Five Britishers were killed.
And on the very day, on 10th April, [That day, 10th April]
[Kantilal] the British administration executed their next plan.
What's the latest on Amritsar?
Some rebels have been killed when our troops opened fire in the fort barracks.
I was inquiring after British lives, Commissioner.
The city is in rebel hands.
Some of our civilians have been lost.
How many?
Five.
Women? Children?
The news is still coming in, sir.
Want a drink?
British subjects...
murdered...
in His Majesty's Royal Colony.
I think
it's the first time since 1857.
You know, in Hindu philosophy there's this notion of Dharma and Karma.
Duty. Action.
Well, I don't think we need any reminding of what our duty is.
But what of our Karma?
Our action?
Martial Law, sir.
Getting the bureaucrats and civil administration
to agree to Martial Law could take forever.
We don't have that time.
Amritsar is burning.
If we don't douse it out right now
the whole of India could go up in flames.
[Kantilal] On 10th April Amritsar was burned in the inferno of riots.
So that the ringmaster could make his next move.
Get the military to Amritsar.
Send an officer who's not afraid to take strong action.
[Kantilal] And the next move was
sending a strict officer
to the city,
who would bring the city to order using military power.
Is Kanti talking about General Dyer?
Full force.
Fist force.
[Kantilal] Then came...
Major Macdonald of the 124 Baluch reporting from Lahore.
Major Macdonald? Wasn't it supposed to be Dyer?
[Kitchin] The city of Amritsar is out of our control.
Keeping the military situation in mind, you're to take whatever action
you deem necessary to reassert control.
Have I made myself clear, Major?
Well, considering Amritsar is hanging by a thread
it will require time, Commissioner.
But first, we must get the civilians back to safety.
Thank you.
It's my duty.
Careful.
News of this bloodbath
deserves to be told to Punjab, Delhi...
the whole country should know.
[Allahbaksh winces]
[somber music]
Is this tomorrow's headline?
What do you think?
Should I print it?
Go ahead.
Why ask me? I am just the accountant.
You're not.
- Inquilaab is yours as much as it's mine. - Editor, sir.
Give me the front page story. I'll start the printing.
Go ahead, we'll give it to you.
Okay.
How much money did you deposit at the magistrate's office?
To start Inquilaab?
2500.
2500!
So 2500...
Do you know about Liyaqat?
Who works the printing plates?
Exactly.
His eldest daughter's getting married next month.
- He didn't mention it to me. - He did.
You don't remember.
And our paper boy, Shankar, who delivers newspapers in the mornings
his father needs a cataract surgery.
Consider the 2500 forfeited.
Plus everyone will be out of a job
if you print this headline.
The fire for independence is more important than earning bread.
What fire for independence?
You know if you print this...
- they'll arrest you under the Rowlatt Act. - Let them!
Really? Do you know the consequences?
You'll be thrown in jail.
You can't herald a revolution behind bars.
Think about it!
Do you know about Ismail?
I do.
But...
now is not the time.
Don't print it.
Please.
I beg of you.
Don't print it!
Go home. It's late.
I'll go.
Throw this away.
[Next day, 11th April]
[suspenseful music]
[grim music]
What are the headlines?
King George's Officers:
Capable or Killers?
[Kitchin] Twenty Indians murdered.
This is what you get when you give those bloody natives a free hand.
It's just lies and slander.
Not a single word about the five British murdered by these
rabid Indian mobs.
Have you seen this headline challenging our King?
Enough, I say.
You shut this rag down. You throw its editor into jail
under the Rowlatt Act right away!
- Yes, sir. - Khan, wait.
I don't think that would be wise.
What do you mean?
Putting a native journalist into jail right now
under the Rowlatt Act could inflame passions all over again.
This situation calls for restraint.
No. Not restraint, Major.
Now is a time for retribution.
This Allahbaksh calls himself a journalist.
He's a rebel.
Our laws allow us to keep a check on the Indian press.
The Rowlatt Act is precisely there
to deal with criminals like him.
You have nothing to fear.
Commissioner, peace has barely been restored in the city.
And whatever is left of this peace,
it will not be held with the indiscriminate use of the Rowlatt Act.
You know this.
- What you're telling me to do is wrong. - Are you saying
that you're to take no action on this Allahbaksh?
I didn't say that.
I just said no to imposing the Rowlatt Act.
You must leave it with me, Commissioner.
I am in charge here.
Inspector Khan, come with me. I'll tell you what to do.
Inspector Ashraf gave this notice.
Read it.
Stop the machines.
Wait. I'll call Kanti. Only he can save us.
Rameez, go and call Kanti, quickly.
By the order of the British Government of India,
proprietor of the daily news publication, Inquilaab is informed that his
security deposit of Rupees 2500
is forfeited and is hereby ordered to shut down the newspaper's
operations within two hours, failing which the British government will issue
orders for the arrest of editor-in-chief, Ali Allahbaksh.
What did you think?
You'll accuse the government
and their King of murder without a trial, what will you get?
Exactly this. Don't expect a medal.
Enough of that.
Luckily they didn't book him under the Rowlatt Act.
- Only threatened to shut down the press. - His actions are such.
- What actions? - They can charge you.
Why are you such a strong advocate of the Rowlatt Act?
Always defending it.
Whose side are you on, Kanti?
Don't you think even once before printing such news?
Are you done? Sit there. I'll come. I'm busy.
Why's he getting annoyed? Why're you getting exasperated?
Is the truth too bitter for you?
Or that I didn't support you in starting this press?
Kanti, I started this press without you. And it's doing its job.
- Printing news. - News?
You call this news?
We haven't lied, Kanti?
It isn't the whole truth either. Five Britishers also died.
Where are their names?
Where did you mention what Hari and I had to face?
It many not be a lie, but it's not the entire truth either.
What do you think, Kanti?
These strikes, protests, what are they?
It's not a drama, Kanti.
It's a war.
And truth is sacrificed first in a war.
I did what I felt was right.
I want to know...
whether you will defend me in court or not?
I cannot be your defense lawyer.
Brother. Don't do this.
Brother... you are our last hope. Listen... Hold on.
You are our last hope. Think...
There must be a solution.
They'll shut down the press in two hours. Don't you get it?
[Poonam] What're you doing?
Take it off!
- You call yourself an Indian? - What're you doing?
- What Indian? - Stop!
Stop.
What are you two doing?
[heavy breathing]
[heavy breathing continues]
[Kantilal's footsteps receding]
[Song] ♪ A short life in this world ♪
♪ A short life in this world ♪