History Mahatma Gandhi Questions
The main causes of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre were the growing unrest and protests against the repressive Rowlatt Act imposed by the British colonial government in India. The Act allowed for the arrest and detention of Indians without trial, leading to widespread anger and resentment.
On April 13, 1919, a large crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to peacefully protest against the Rowlatt Act. However, Brigadier General Reginald Dyer, fearing a rebellion, ordered his troops to open fire on the unarmed crowd without any warning or means of escape. The firing continued for about ten minutes, resulting in the death of around 379 people and injuring over a thousand others.
The consequences of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre were far-reaching. It intensified the Indian independence movement and led to a surge in nationalist sentiment. The brutal and indiscriminate nature of the massacre shocked people both in India and around the world, leading to widespread condemnation of British rule in India.
The event also marked a turning point in Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent struggle for independence. He called for non-cooperation with the British government and launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920, which aimed to boycott British institutions and products. The massacre further united Indians in their fight against colonial rule and played a significant role in shaping the course of the Indian independence movement.