Detailed Notes
Thousands of farmers had assembled to voice their grievances, but instead of addressing their concerns, the British police and military opened fire, killing around 140 peasants and injuring many more. The brutality of this attack bears a striking resemblance to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 in Punjab, which is why Patharughat earned this grim comparison.
The Patharughat massacre remains a powerful reminder of Assam’s role in the freedom struggle and the sacrifices made by common farmers to resist colonial exploitation. In Assam, January 28th is commemorated as Krishak Swahid Divas (Farmers’ Martyrs’ Day) to honor those who lost their lives.