9 Questions
Why did Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and others criticize the Rowlatt Act?
It strengthened police powers
What did Gandhiji ask the Indian people to do on 6 April 1919?
Observe a day of non-violent opposition to the Rowlatt Act
What were Satyagraha Sabhas established for?
To launch movements against the government
Which event occurred on Baisakhi day, 13 April, as mentioned in the text?
The Jallianwala Bagh atrocities by General Dyer
What was Rabindranath Tagore's response to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
He renounced his knighthood in protest
What was the significance of the Rowlatt Satyagraha in relation to British rule in India?
'Rowlatt Satyagraha' was the first all-India struggle against British government
During the Rowlatt Satyagraha, what did Mahatma Gandhi emphasize in terms of uniting people?
Unity of all Indians regardless of religion against British rule
How did the government respond to the demonstrations and hartals in April 1919?
By taking brutal measures to suppress them
'Devilish' and 'tyrannical' were terms used to describe which Act according to the text?
'Rowlatt Act'
Study Notes
Criticism of the Rowlatt Act
- Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and others criticized the Rowlatt Act due to its oppressive nature, giving the government unchecked power to arrest and detain individuals without trial.
Rowlatt Satyagraha
- On 6 April 1919, Gandhiji asked the Indian people to observe a nationwide hartal (strike) and fast in protest against the Rowlatt Act.
Satyagraha Sabhas
- Satyagraha Sabhas were established to organize and coordinate the non-violent protests against the Rowlatt Act.
Baisakhi Day Massacre
- On Baisakhi day, 13 April, the British army fired on a peaceful gathering of people in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, killing hundreds of innocent civilians.
Rabindranath Tagore's Response
- Rabindranath Tagore, in response to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, renounced his knighthood, criticizing the British government's brutal actions.
Significance of Rowlatt Satyagraha
- The Rowlatt Satyagraha marked a significant shift in the Indian freedom struggle, as it united Indians across different regions and communities against British rule.
Gandhi's Unity Efforts
- During the Rowlatt Satyagraha, Mahatma Gandhi emphasized the importance of uniting people across different faiths, regions, and languages to fight against British oppression.
Government Response
- The government responded to the demonstrations and hartals in April 1919 with brutal force, arresting and detaining thousands of protesters, and banning public gatherings.
Rowlatt Act Description
- The Rowlatt Act was described as "devilish" and "tyrannical" by its critics, highlighting its draconian nature and the threat it posed to civil liberties.
Learn about Mahatma Gandhi's call for satyagraha against the oppressive Rowlatt Act in 1919, and the criticism it received from him and other leaders. Understand the significance of the day of non-violent opposition observed on 6 April 1919.
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