What was Ro

Rowlatt Act was a law passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in February 1919. It allowed certain political cases to be tried without juries and permitted internment of suspects without trial. It empowered the British and curtailed the civil liberties of the people as they could be jailed even if suspected of plotting against the British rule.

Rowlatt Satyagraha was a non-violent opposition to this Act. It was the first all-India struggle against the British government. In February 1919, Gandhiji founded the Satyagraha Sabha. The Home Rule Leagues, Satyagraha Sabhas, and the Muslim League came together to protest against the Act. The focus was on the masses for the first time. There were hartals, strikes, and demonstrations.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:

Gandhi gave a call to observe 6th April 1919 as a day of “humiliation and prayer” and hartal (strike). The government was determined to repress the national uprising. On 13 April 1919, an unarmed crowd gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to protest the arrest of popular leaders. General Dyer surrounded the area by his army, closed the exit and instructed his troops to open fire on the crowd which led to the death of thousands. This incident met with great criticism from all over the country.