Rowlatt Act1919
Officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919.
This act authorised the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist
activities, detain such people arrested for up to 2 years without trial.
It empowered the police to search for a place without a warrant.
It also placed severe restrictions on the freedom of the press.
The act was passed as per recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee chaired by a
judge, Sir Sidney Rowlatt, after whom the act is named.
The act was widely condemned by Indian leaders and the public. The bills came to be
known as ‘black bills’.
The act was passed despite unanimous opposition from the Indian members of the
council, all of whom resigned in protest. These included Mohammed Ali Jinnah,
Madan Mohan Malviya and Mazhar Ul Haq.
In response to this act, a nationwide hartal was called by Gandhiji on 6th April. This
was called the Rowlatt Satyagraha.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
The situation in Punjab was alarming as there were riots and protests against the
Rowlatt Act.
Punjab was put under martial law which meant that it became unlawful for more
than 4 people to assemble at a place.
The Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab at that time was Michael O’Dwyer. Lord
Chelmsford was India’s Viceroy.
On the day of the festival of Baisakhi on 13th April 1919 in Jallianwala Bagh, a
public garden in Amritsar, a crowd of non-violent protestors had gathered. Also
among the crowd were pilgrims who had come to celebrate Baisakhi.
General Dyer came there with his troops and blocked the only narrow entrance to
the garden.
Then, without warning, he ordered his troops to fire at the unarmed crowd which
included children as well.
The indiscriminate firing went on for about 10 minutes until the 1650 rounds of
ammunition were exhausted. This resulted in the deaths of at least 1000 people and
injured more than 1500 people.
However, Dyer was appreciated by many in Britain and the British in India
although some people in the British government were quick to criticise it.
The government set up the Hunter Commission to inquire into the massacre.
Although the commission condemned the act by Dyer, it did not impose any
disciplinary action against him.
He was relieved of his duties in the army in 1920.
Khilafat Movement 1919-1920
Background- Abdul Hamid II was the Ottoman emperor. Being a Caliph the emperor
was religious leader of all muslims across the world.
In WWI , turkey was defeated by allied powers.
As per the treaty of Versailles, the territorial boundary of the ottoman empire got
reduced.
Muslims in India became anti british as they were concerned about the religious places.
In India, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Shaukat Ali formed All India Khilafat
Committee at Lucknow and started a movement.
Ali brothers were arrested. The movement reached in Bengal; NWFP, Punjab.
Oct 17, 1919 was observed as Khilafat day. Hindus also supported the Muslims ad
a strike was called for.
In Nov a Khilafat Manifesto was published which called upon british to protect the
Caliphate.
Leaders of Khilafat movement joined hands with INC for the coming non
cooperation movement.
The period of 1919 -1922 is understood as the Hindu Muslim unity
