Question

The protests in Punjab became particularly intense after the institution of which act?

• A. Lucknow Pact
• B. Rowlatt Act
• C. Khilafat Act
• D. Great War of 1914-18

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The protests in Punjab became particularly intense after the institution of the Rowlatt Act. The Rowlatt Act, passed by the British colonial government in March 1919, gave authorities the power to arrest and detain individuals suspected of revolutionary activities without trial. This act was seen as an infringement on civil liberties and led to widespread unrest. Punjab, a region with a strong history of resistance, saw significant protests and demonstrations, culminating in events such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Key figures in the Indian independence movement, such as Mahatma Gandhi, called for nonviolent resistance, further fueling the movement against British rule. 

Answer 2

The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was a repressive legislation passed by the British colonial government in India. Officially called the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, it was intended to curb dissent and suppress revolutionary activities in India. The Act allowed the government to arrest and detain individuals without trial, and it also gave the authorities sweeping powers to censor the press and conduct searches without warrants.

The Rowlatt Act faced widespread opposition across India, but it led to especially intense protests in Punjab. The people viewed the Act as an infringement on their basic freedoms and rights, and its passage sparked a wave of civil disobedience and demonstrations. Leaders such as Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew led protests in Amritsar, where the situation escalated dramatically. The government responded with brutal force, leading to significant unrest.

One of the most significant events related to the Rowlatt Act was the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar on April 13, 1919. In response to a public gathering protesting the Act, Brigadier General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to fire on the crowd, killing hundreds of unarmed civilians. This massacre galvanized Indian resistance against British rule and contributed significantly to the rise of the Indian independence movement.