What are the circumstances which leads to the Jallianwala Baghdad incident
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To understand the cause of the massacre, you will need to know about the Rowlatt Act.
By the end of the second decade of the 20th century, the British Government appeared to be seriously considering the idea of constitutional reforms in India. At the same time, Viceroy Chelmsford wished to put in place some effective measures to tackle the militant nationalist activities in India. So, with the Secretary of State, Edwin Montagu’s sanction, on 10 December, 1917, a Committee, presided over by Justice Sir Sydney Rowlatt was formed.
The Rowlatt Committee, in its report, recommended the Government be granted powers similar to those enjoyed under special war legislation. Towards this end, in February, 1919, two Rowlatt Bills were introduced, one of which was passed on 17 March, 1919. Termed the “Black Act”, it allowed the Government complete liberty to arrest any person merely on the basis of suspicion. What’s more, there could be no appeal or petition against such arrest, and no trial or conviction in a court of law.
To those Indians, who were expecting the beginning of democratic progress under the British, the Rowlatt Act was a rude awakening. There was concern that such excessive powers would severely hamper civil liberty because it could easily be abused. No wonder then, the Rowlatt Act met with tremendous opposition, spearheaded by a new leader, M K Gandhi.
Gandhi was invited to visit Delhi and Amritsar in April, 1919. But the authorities arrested him before he could enter Delhi, and sent him back to Bombay. On the very next day of the arrest, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir Michael O’Dwyer, prohibited all public meetings in Amritsar and by invoking the Rowlatt Act ordered the deportation of two local leaders, Dr Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr Satyapal.
Such high-handedness led to even greater agitation, so much so that on 12 April, Brigadier-General Reginald E H Dyer, commander of the Jalandhar Division, took charge of the city. The next day witnessed a terrible massacre—the worst in the history of the British Raj.
On the morning of 13 April, Baisakhi Day, Dyer declared any procession or gathering of four men as illegal, and would be dispersed by force, if required. Despite this proclamation, he learnt that a large crowd had assembled at Jallianwala Bagh to hold a meeting. Immediately, Dyer proceeded to the spot with 50 Indian Infantry armed with rifles, 40 more carrying only kukris, and two armored cars.
On reaching Jallianwala Bagh, which was a large open space with only one exit, Dyer blocked the entrance by lining his troops, and ordered them to open fire without warning. Over a period of about 10 minutes, 1650 rounds of bullets were fired, and the guns fell silent only when there was no ammunition left. As many as 379 people lost their lives, while 1,200 more were wounded. In the following months, martial law was declared in the region, and oppressive measures like public flogging became commonplace.
By the end of the second decade of the 20th century, the British Government appeared to be seriously considering the idea of constitutional reforms in India. At the same time, Viceroy Chelmsford wished to put in place some effective measures to tackle the militant nationalist activities in India. So, with the Secretary of State, Edwin Montagu’s sanction, on 10 December, 1917, a Committee, presided over by Justice Sir Sydney Rowlatt was formed.
The Rowlatt Committee, in its report, recommended the Government be granted powers similar to those enjoyed under special war legislation. Towards this end, in February, 1919, two Rowlatt Bills were introduced, one of which was passed on 17 March, 1919. Termed the “Black Act”, it allowed the Government complete liberty to arrest any person merely on the basis of suspicion. What’s more, there could be no appeal or petition against such arrest, and no trial or conviction in a court of law.
To those Indians, who were expecting the beginning of democratic progress under the British, the Rowlatt Act was a rude awakening. There was concern that such excessive powers would severely hamper civil liberty because it could easily be abused. No wonder then, the Rowlatt Act met with tremendous opposition, spearheaded by a new leader, M K Gandhi.
Gandhi was invited to visit Delhi and Amritsar in April, 1919. But the authorities arrested him before he could enter Delhi, and sent him back to Bombay. On the very next day of the arrest, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir Michael O’Dwyer, prohibited all public meetings in Amritsar and by invoking the Rowlatt Act ordered the deportation of two local leaders, Dr Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr Satyapal.
Such high-handedness led to even greater agitation, so much so that on 12 April, Brigadier-General Reginald E H Dyer, commander of the Jalandhar Division, took charge of the city. The next day witnessed a terrible massacre—the worst in the history of the British Raj.
On the morning of 13 April, Baisakhi Day, Dyer declared any procession or gathering of four men as illegal, and would be dispersed by force, if required. Despite this proclamation, he learnt that a large crowd had assembled at Jallianwala Bagh to hold a meeting. Immediately, Dyer proceeded to the spot with 50 Indian Infantry armed with rifles, 40 more carrying only kukris, and two armored cars.
On reaching Jallianwala Bagh, which was a large open space with only one exit, Dyer blocked the entrance by lining his troops, and ordered them to open fire without warning. Over a period of about 10 minutes, 1650 rounds of bullets were fired, and the guns fell silent only when there was no ammunition left. As many as 379 people lost their lives, while 1,200 more were wounded. In the following months, martial law was declared in the region, and oppressive measures like public flogging became commonplace.
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