{"id":90950,"date":"2026-03-02T18:10:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T12:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=90950"},"modified":"2026-03-02T18:10:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T12:40:34","slug":"list-of-massacres-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/list-of-massacres-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"List of Massacres in India, Pre-Colonial Era to British Rule"},"content":{"rendered":"

A massacre is the deliberate killing of members of one group by another, usually more powerful group. Unlike a battle where two armed sides fight, a massacre often involves the killing of surrendered soldiers, prisoners, or civilians. It may occur during war, rebellion, communal conflict, or political suppression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Indian history, spanning ancient kingdoms to colonial rule, has witnessed several tragic massacres that shaped political, social, and communal trajectories. In this article, we have provided the List of Massacres in India.<\/span><\/p>\n

List of Massacres in India Pre-Colonial<\/b><\/h2>\n

Pre-colonial India witnessed several massacres during invasions, sieges, and regional conflicts as rulers fought for territorial expansion and political dominance. Here is the list of massacres in India during the pre-colonial era.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
List of Massacres in India Pre-Colonial<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Name of Event<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Year<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Location<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Perpetrator<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Estimated Deaths<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Key Details<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Siege of Chittorgarh<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1303<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chittor, Guhila Kingdom (Rajasthan)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Alauddin Khalji<\/a><\/strong> (Delhi Sultanate)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~30,000 Hindus<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

After capturing Chittor, Khalji reportedly ordered mass killings to suppress Rajput resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Siege of Chittorgarh<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

February 1568<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chittor Fort<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mughal Empire<\/a><\/strong> (Akbar)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~30,000 non-combatants<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Following a prolonged siege, Akbar ordered a general massacre and took many prisoners.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Capture of Delhi<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1398<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Delhi region<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Timur (Timurid Empire)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

100,000 captives executed (overall casualties possibly much higher)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Timur ordered execution of captives before attacking Delhi to prevent rebellion.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Battle of Ahmednagar<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1559\u20131560<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ahmadnagar Sultanate<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Vijayanagara Empire & Deccan Sultanate forces<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Unknown (large-scale destruction)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chronicler Firishta describes widespread devastation, massacres, and depopulation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Khejarli massacre<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1730<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Khejarli, Marwar<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Royal officials of Marwar<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

363 Bishnois<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Villagers sacrificed their lives protecting trees; landmark environmental resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chhota Ghallughara<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1746<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lahore<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mughal Empire<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7,000 killed; 3,000 executed<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Part of systematic persecution of Sikhs under Mughal rule.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vadda Ghalughara<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1763<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Punjab<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Afghan forces under Ahmad Shah Durrani<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25,000\u201330,000 Sikhs<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Large-scale massacre aimed at crushing Sikh resistance in Punjab.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

List of Massacres in India Colonial Period<\/b><\/h2>\n

The colonial period in India (1757\u20131947) witnessed numerous massacres arising from the Revolt of 1857<\/a><\/strong>, tribal uprisings, political repression, and communal tensions preceding Partition. Here is the list of Massacres in India during the colonial period.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
List of Massacres in India Colonial Period<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Name of Event<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Date<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Location<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Estimated Deaths<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Key Details<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Siege of Cawnpore<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5\u201325 June 1857<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Kanpur<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~1,000<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

European soldiers, civilians, women, and children were killed during the Revolt of 1857.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bibighar massacre<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15 July 1857<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Kanpur<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~200<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

British women and children, held as prisoners, were killed; responsibility remains debated.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Mangarh massacre<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17 November 1913<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mangadh (Gujarat\u2013Rajasthan border)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Claimed 1,500 tribals<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

British troops opened fire with machine guns on tribal protesters.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Jallianwala Bagh massacre<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13 April 1919<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Amritsar, Punjab<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

379 (official); up to 1,500 (estimates)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

General Dyer ordered firing on an unarmed gathering, intensifying the freedom movement.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Nankana massacre<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20 February 1921<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nankana Sahib, Punjab<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

140\u2013260 Sikhs<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Peaceful reformist Sikhs were attacked during the Gurdwara Reform Movement.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Qissa Khwani massacre<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

23 April 1930<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Peshawar<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~20\u2013230 protesters<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

British armored vehicles and troops fired on non-violent demonstrators.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Calcutta riots<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15 Aug \u2013 17 Sept 1946<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Calcutta (West Bengal)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7,000\u201310,000<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Large-scale Hindu-Muslim communal violence during Direct Action Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Noakhali riots<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Sept\u2013Oct 1946<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

East Bengal<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~5,000<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Widespread communal violence, forced conversions, and displacement before Partition.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bihar Massacre<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30 Oct \u2013 7 Nov 1946<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Bihar<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2,000\u20133,000<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Retaliatory communal killings amid escalating Partition tensions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Role of Massacres in the Freedom Struggle<\/b><\/h2>\n

Massacres during British rule exposed the harsh realities of colonial oppression and became turning points in India\u2019s struggle for independence.<\/span><\/p>\n