Question 14 Marks
On 13th April the infamous Jallianwalla Bagh incident took place. On that day a large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwalla Bagh. Some came to protest against the government’s new repressive measures. Others had come to attend the annual Baisakhi fair. Dyer entered the area, blocked the exit points, and opened fire on the crowd, killing hundreds. As the news of Jallianwalla Bagh spread, crowds took to the streets in many north Indian towns. There were strikes, clashes with the police and attacks on government buildings. Seeing violence spread, Mahatma Gandhi called off the movement. While the Rowlatt satyagraha had been a widespread movement, it was still limited mostly to cities and towns. Mahatma Gandhi now felt the need to launch a more broad-based movement in India.
i. How did Mahatma Gandhi react to the Rowlatt Act?
ii. What made Mahatma Gandhi call off Rowlatt Satyagraha?
iii. Why did Rowlatt Act enrage people?
i. How did Mahatma Gandhi react to the Rowlatt Act?
ii. What made Mahatma Gandhi call off Rowlatt Satyagraha?
iii. Why did Rowlatt Act enrage people?
Answer
View full question & answer→i. Mahatma Gandhi decided to launch a nationwide satyagraha against the proposed Rowlatt Act (1919).
ii. As the news of Jallianwalla Bagh spread, crowds took to the streets in many north Indian towns. Seeing violence spread, Mahatma Gandhi decided to call off the movement.
iii. This Act had been hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council despite the united opposition of the Indian members. It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.
ii. As the news of Jallianwalla Bagh spread, crowds took to the streets in many north Indian towns. Seeing violence spread, Mahatma Gandhi decided to call off the movement.
iii. This Act had been hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council despite the united opposition of the Indian members. It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities and allowed the detention of political prisoners without trial for two years.