Causes and Consequences of The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

 The Amritsar Massacre, also known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, happened on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab, India. It was one of the most heinous occurrences in Indian independence history, as well as a watershed moment in India-Britain relations. This article will go into detail about the tragedy and its aftermath.

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (Source: BYJUS)

On April 13, 1919, a large throng of men, women, and children assembled in Amritsar's Jallianwala Bagh to protest the arrest of two Indian nationalist leaders, Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satya Pal, under the Rowlatt Act. The legislation gave British officials the authority to hold anybody suspected of terrorism without a trial, and it was highly opposed by Indians.

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The pleasant gathering, however, turned into a nightmare when the British Indian Army, led by General Reginald Dyer, opened fire on the unarmed throng. The throng was caught inside the walled garden, which had only one exit, and they couldn't get away from the bullets that were raining down on them. The fire lasted around ten minutes, or until the soldiers' ammo ran out [4]. The exact number of victims is unknown, however it is estimated that between 379 and 1,000 people died and over 1,500 were wounded. 

The slaughter shocked India and the rest of the globe, and it was harshly criticized by Indian officials and British politicians alike. Mahatma Gandhi, who had not yet achieved his subsequent fame, called for a statewide demonstration against British authority. The tragedy also marked a watershed moment in India's fight for independence from British colonial authority.

Following the slaughter, the British government formed a commission known as the Hunter Commission to examine the tragedy. General Dyer was found guilty of disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by the commission, but no punishment was imposed. This sparked great uproar in India, with many seeing it as evidence of the British government's contempt for Indian life.

The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre had a significant influence on India's independence cause. It aroused public sentiment against British rule and increased the desire of Indian nationalists to struggle for independence. The event also emphasized the tremendous mistrust and hostility that exists between the Indian and British populations.

What was the Rowlatt Act?

The Rowlatt Act was enacted by the Imperial Legislative Council, British India's legislature, in February 1919. The statute authorized the trial of some political crimes without juries and the imprisonment of suspects without trial. The act's goal was to replace the restrictive measures of the wartime Defence of India Act (1915) with permanent legislation.

The Rowlatt Committee, which was created in 1918 to investigate the revolutionary conspiracy and terrorist activities in India, provided the basis for the legislation. The study advocated for the continuance of special wartime authorities to combat such actions. However, the act prompted criticism among Indian nationalists, which Mohandas Gandhi turned into the Rowlatt agitation, a statewide satyagraha.

The Rowlatt Act was renamed the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919. It mandated that offenses be tried quickly by a special court, with no opportunity for appeal. The provincial government had the authority to search a location and arrest a suspect without a warrant. 

The statute gave police the authority to search homes and hold or arrest anybody they suspected, including political activists, without a warrant or a trial. A separate tribunal was formed specifically to hear the cases of those who had been arrested. The panel would be presided over by three high court justices.