History of Amritsar in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 7, 2025

Amritsar, also known as Rāmdāspur and Ambarsar, is the second-largest city in Punjab, India. Situated in the Majha region, it serves as a significant cultural, transportation, and economic hub. It is the administrative center for the Amritsar district. Geographically, it is located 217 km northwest of Chandigarh and 455 km northwest of New Delhi. Its proximity to the India-Pakistan border, being 28 km away, and its location 47 km northeast of Lahore, Pakistan, also contribute to its importance.

1914: World War I unrest

During World War I (1914–18) there was considerable social unrest in Punjab, particularly among the Sikhs.

January 1915: Gandhi returned to India

In January 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India after a period of struggle against the British in South Africa to work for change.

April 1916: Home Rule League established

On April 11, 1916, Annie Besant established the Home Rule League with the goal of autonomy for India.

December 1916: Indian National Congress resolution

In December 1916, the Indian National Congress passed a resolution asking the king to issue a proclamation announcing the aim of British policy to confer self-government on India at an early date.

April 1919: Jallianwala Bagh massacre

In April 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in Amritsar, resulting in the killings of hundreds of Indian civilians on the orders of British Colonel Reginald Edward Harry Dyer.

April 1919: Arrest of Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew

On April 10, 1919, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew were arrested, leading to a general strike and a protest march in Amritsar that resulted in British colonial forces firing upon the crowd.

1933: Death of Annie Besant

Annie Besant, head of the Theosophical Society of India and who had established the Home Rule League in April 1916, passed away in 1933.

November 1947: Weather records date back to 1947

Weather records for Amritsar at the civil aerodrome at Rajasansi date back to November 15, 1947.

1948: Death of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, who after a period of struggle as a young man against the British in South Africa had returned to India in January 1915 to work there for change, passed away in 1948.

June 1984: Operation Blue Star

In June 1984, Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star, a military operation to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, carried out by Indian army troops equipped with tanks and armoured vehicles.

October 1984: Assassination of Indira Gandhi

On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, leading to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in which more than 17,000 Sikhs were killed.

December 1996: Lowest recorded temperature

On December 9, 1996, the lowest recorded temperature in Amritsar was −3.6 °C (25.5 °F).

2010: Elevated road project

In 2010, an elevated four-lane road connected to the National Highway was started for better access to the Golden Temple.

2011: 2011 Census Religion Data

According to the 2011 Census of India, Hinduism and Sikhism are the main religions of the Amritsar city followed by 49.36% and 48.00% of the population, respectively.