Rowlat Act and Jallianwalla Bagh Incident

Rowlat Act

It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.

  • Mahatma Gandhi wanted non-violent civil disobedience against Rowlat Act, which would start with a bartal on 6 April.
  • In 1919, Gandhiji decided to launch Satyagraha against Rowlat Act (1919).

Rowlat Satyagraha 

  • Rallies were organized, workers went on strike in railway workshops, and shops closed down.
  • Due to this they were scared that lines of communication like railways and telegraph would be disrupted.
  • Local leaders were picked up from Amritsar, and Mahatma Gandhi was barred from entering Delhi.
  • Police fired upon a peaceful procession, revoking attacks on banks, post offices, and railway stations.
  • Martial law was imposed and General Dyer took command.

Jallianwalla Bagh Incident

  • It took place on 13 April 1919.
  • A large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwalla Bagh.
  • Some peoples came to protest against the government's new repressive measures.
  • Some came to attend the annual Baisakhi fair.
  • Dyer entered, blocked the exit points, and opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds.

Impacts of Jallianwalla Bagh Incident

  • Crowds took to the street in north Indian towns.
  • There were strikes, clashes with the police, and attacks on government buildings.
  • The government seeks to humiliate and terrorise people: forced to rub their noses on the ground, crawl on the streets, and do salaam to all Sahibs.
  • People were flogged and villages were bombed.
  • Mahatma Gandhi called off Rowlat Satyagraha due to the spreading of Violence.

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