Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Massacre – Free Modern History Notes for UPSC 2025

The Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre are two pivotal events in the history of India’s struggle for independence from British rule. These incidents, occurring in the aftermath of World War I, marked a turning point in the relationship between the Indian people and their colonial rulers. The Rowlatt Act, passed in 1919, was a repressive law that severely curtailed civil liberties in India, empowering the British government to imprison individuals without trial. This draconian measure sparked widespread outrage and protests across the country.

The strict Rowlatt Act of 1919 rocked British rule in India and brought together millions of Indians from all walks of life, regardless of where they lived, their religion, caste, or social class. The Rowlatt Satyagraha, a protest movement in response to this act, was a huge step in India’s fight for freedom. It was the first time Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of peaceful disobedience was used on a large scale across the country against British oppression. But when the protests were brutally suppressed, especially with the horrific Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Rowlatt Satyagraha reached its peak, becoming a crucial moment in India’s struggle for independence.

Rowlatt Act

The Rowlatt Act had its roots in the Defense of India Act of 1915, which was brought in during World War I to control anti-British activities. After the war, a committee led by British judge Sydney Rowlatt suggested keeping these harsh powers in place, leading to the Rowlatt Act. This Act was part of the British government’s strategy of offering incentives (like the Government of India Act, 1919) while also using force to maintain control.

The Rowlatt Act was rushed through in March 1919, despite strong objections from Indian members of the Imperial Legislative Council. This move broke the promise made by the British for political reforms after the war, which angered people from all parts of Indian society. This betrayal of trust fueled widespread protests across the country.

Features of the Rowlatt Act

The British government was worried about terrorism and rebellion, so they introduced the Rowlatt Act to stop these threats. But many Indians didn’t like it because:

The Act took away basic freedoms.
It allowed people to be arrested without trial for up to 2 years if they were seen as political troublemakers.
People couldn’t appeal these detentions.
It allowed trials without juries for cases of stirring up rebellion, which made it hard for fair judgment.
They also imposed stricter control over what could be said or written and limited big public meetings.

Course

Gandhi traveled all over India to start new Satyagraha Sabhas, gather support, and teach people about non-violent protest. This was the first time such mass protests were organized nationwide to push back against unfair British actions.
Gandhi began by forming the first Satyagraha Sabha in Bombay, followed by similar committees in Delhi, Allahabad, Gujarat, and other places. Even though he didn’t have full support from big political groups like the Indian National Congress, he had backing from Home Rule Leagues and his own Satyagraha Sabhas and Committees.
Many notable figures like Rajendra Prasad, Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, and others supported Gandhi in this movement. The response from people was even more enthusiastic than expected. Work stopped, shops closed, transport was disrupted, and huge peaceful rallies happened in cities all over India. Even students boycotted schools and colleges.
Gandhi’s ability to bring together different classes and communities for a common cause was remarkable. The protest strikes showed a strong unity, with people of different religions joining in disciplined civil disobedience.
These strikes across the country showed how much people disliked the harsh British policies, and this forced the government to pay attention.
But there were some violent incidents during the protests. One such event was used as an excuse for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Gandhi was deeply saddened by the massacre and by the movement turning violent. So, he ended the Rowlatt Satyagraha, admitting it was a big mistake. He felt he needed to first teach people about non-violent protest methods.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

As part of Mahatma Gandhi’s protest against the Rowlatt Act, peaceful meetings were happening in Amritsar. Here’s how the tragic event unfolded:

On April 9, 1919, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir Michael O’Dwyer, ordered the arrest of two local leaders, Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal, in Amritsar. This led to protests.
The next day, April 10, there were demonstrations in Amritsar demanding the release of these leaders. Troops fired on the peaceful protesters, killing many and making people very angry.
On April 13, during the Baisakhi festival, over 15,000 people gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar for a meeting. Most were locals and pilgrims visiting the Golden Temple.
Brigadier General Reginald Dyer arrived with troops, blocked the exits, and ordered them to shoot at the crowd without any warning. The shooting went on for about 10 minutes, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and 1,500 injuries.
Two days after the massacre, Martial Law was declared in five districts, including Amritsar. This allowed immediate trials by court-martial for anyone involved in revolutionary activities.
When news of the massacre spread across the nation, Rabindranath Tagore gave up his Knighthood in protest.

Hunter Commission

On October 14, 1919, the Hunter Commission was formed to investigate the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. General Dyer defended his actions, saying they were necessary to control disobedience and violence.
The commission found Dyer’s actions unjustified and criticized them. He had to resign, but there were no serious punishments for him or others involved.
This tragic event changed India’s fight for freedom. It showed how harsh British rule could be and united people’s determination for independence. Years later, on March 13, 1940, in London, Indian freedom fighter Udham Singh killed Michael O’Dwyer, who had approved Dyer’s actions and was seen as the main planner.

Impact and Significance

The Rowlatt Act was repealed in 1920 due to relentless protests, which was seen as a win for civil rights and encouraged Indians to keep fighting for freedom.
Gandhi’s leadership during the Rowlatt Satyagraha showed his ability to bring together people from different backgrounds and his use of nonviolent protest to challenge unfair laws. By supporting Muslims in their discontent with British actions in Turkey, he gained their support and eventually led the Non-Cooperation Movement.
The protests made nationalists realize that just asking politely wouldn’t make the British give up power. So, they started using mass protests and non-cooperation to pressure the British, leading to Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement.
The harsh British response, especially the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, showed the world how oppressive British rule was, gaining sympathy and support for India’s cause and damaging Britain’s international reputation.

Overall, the Rowlatt Satyagraha strengthened Indian unity, boosted the fight for self-rule, and highlighted the importance of dismantling unjust colonial rule and giving power back to Indians. It laid the groundwork for achieving swaraj, or self-rule.