Dive into the events of 1919, including the repressive Rowlatt Act, Gandhi’s first mass Satyagraha, and the tragic Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Learn how the Rowlatt Act led to nationwide protests and civil disobedience, culminating in the horrific massacre at Jallianwala Bagh that galvanized the Indian independence movement. This pivotal period underscored the growing demand for freedom and justice in India.
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Rowlatt Act, Satyagraha, and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
In March 1919, the Rowlatt Act was passed, extending the Defence of India Regulations Act 1915. This act, also known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, allowed for the arrest and trial of individuals without jury or legal recourse, and suspended habeas corpus.
The act was based on recommendations from the Rowlatt Commission, headed by Sir Sidney Rowlatt, which called for harsh measures against those deemed 'seditious'.
Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council, including prominent figures such as Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Mazhar Ul Haq, opposed the bill and resigned in protest, but their objections were overruled by official nominees.
The act allowed for arrest without warrant on mere suspicion of 'treason', trials in secrecy without legal assistance, and evidence not admissible under the Indian Evidence Act. The goal was to make wartime restrictions on freedoms permanent.
The act led to strict controls over the press and allowed the government to suppress any form of dissent deemed as terrorism or revolutionary.
Satyagraha Against the Rowlatt Act—First Mass Strike
In response to the Rowlatt Act, Gandhi called for a mass protest, labeling the act as the "Black Act". He advocated for a nationwide hartal (strike) accompanied by fasting, prayer, civil disobedience, and mass arrests.
The movement aimed to mobilize peasants, artisans, and the urban poor, marking a shift towards mass involvement in the struggle for independence.
Initially planned for April 6, 1919, the Satyagraha was preempted by widespread anti-British demonstrations across major cities, including Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.
In Punjab, the situation escalated due to wartime repression, forced recruitments, and disease. The British authorities, under Lieutenant Governor Sir Michael O’Dwyer, used extreme measures including aircraft strafing against protestors.
On April 13, 1919, a large crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to celebrate Baisakhi and participate in a protest meeting. The gathering included many villagers unaware of the prohibitory orders issued by Brigadier-General Dyer.
General Dyer, imposing martial law, blocked the only exit and ordered his troops to open fire on the unarmed crowd without prior warning. The shooting continued until the ammunition was exhausted.
Official British sources reported 379 dead and around 1,100 wounded, while the Indian National Congress estimated over 1,500 injuries and 1,000 deaths. A total of 1,650 bullets were fired into the crowd.
The massacre was followed by severe reprisals, including public floggings and humiliations. Dyer’s actions led to national outrage, prompting notable figures like Rabindranath Tagore to renounce their honors, and Gandhi to withdraw the movement.
The massacre significantly impacted Indian sentiments, accelerating the movement for independence. It also influenced later resistance figures like Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh, who sought justice for the victims.
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