10. ROWLATT ACT, ROWLATT SATYAGRAHA & JALLIANWALA BAGH (1919)

10. ROWLATT ACT, ROWLATT SATYAGRAHA & JALLIANWALA BAGH (1919)

10.1 Rowlatt Act (1919)

• Formally the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919, based on recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee (headed by Sir Sidney Rowlatt).
• Allowed arrest and detention of suspects without trial, and trial of political cases by special courts without juries — dubbed "Black Act" and popularly called the "No Dalil, No Vakil, No Appeal" law.
• Passed despite unanimous opposition from all Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council.

10.2 Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919)

• Gandhi's first all-India satyagraha/mass movement; called for a nationwide hartal (strike) on 6 April 1919 with fasting and prayer against the Rowlatt Act.
• Widespread protests, especially intense in Punjab (Amritsar, Lahore).

10.3 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13 April 1919)

• Occurred on Baisakhi day, at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab — a walled public garden.
• Context: Arrest/deportation of local leaders Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal had already sparked protests; a peaceful public meeting was held at Jallianwala Bagh (many unaware of the prohibitory orders/curfew in place).
• General Reginald Dyer ordered troops to open fire on the unarmed crowd (including women, children) without warning, blocking the only narrow exit; firing continued for about 10 minutes, ~1,650 rounds fired.
• Official British count: 379 dead; Indian estimates put the toll at 1,000+ dead, over 1,200 wounded.
• Reactions:
  • Rabindranath Tagore renounced his Knighthood (Sir title) in protest (letter to Viceroy Lord Chelmsford, May 1919).
  • Gandhi returned the Kaiser-i-Hind medal (awarded for his ambulance service in South Africa/WWI).
  • Udham Singh later assassinated Michael O'Dwyer (Lt. Governor of Punjab who had approved Dyer's actions) in London in 1940, in revenge for the massacre.
• Hunter Commission (Disorders Inquiry Committee) was set up to investigate; censured Dyer but he faced no criminal punishment; he was later celebrated by some in Britain as "Saviour of Punjab" (a fund was raised for him), which further outraged Indian opinion.
• Widely regarded as a turning point — pushed many moderates towards full non-cooperation with British rule; deeply radicalised Indian public opinion.

Key Facts / Quick Revision Points — Rowlatt Act & Jallianwala Bagh

• Rowlatt Act, 1919 — "Black Act"; no trial, no appeal.
• Jallianwala Bagh massacre — 13 April 1919, Amritsar, Baisakhi day; General Dyer.
• Official toll: 379 dead (British figure); Indian estimates 1000+.
• Tagore renounced Knighthood in protest.
• Hunter Commission investigated; Udham Singh killed Michael O'Dwyer in London, 1940.