The Aftermath of the First World War and the Amritsar Massacre (1919)
- India contributed over one million soldiers to the First World War and expected political rewards in return.
- Instead, Britain imposed the Rowlatt Acts (1919), extending wartime emergency powers such as arrest without trial.
- The Acts caused outrage among Indians who had supported the war effort in good faith.
- Peaceful protests led by Gandhi and local leaders were met with violence in Amritsar, Punjab.
- The Amritsar Massacre (13 April 1919) marked a turning point, convincing many that British rule could not be reformed but had to be replaced.
Definition
The Rowlatt Acts (1919)
Oppressive British laws in India that allowed the colonial government to imprison any person suspected of sedition or "terrorist activities" for up to two years without a trial or judicial review.
Definition
Amritsar Massacre
British troops opened fire on a large crowd of unarmed Indians
Causes and Events
- Protests against the Rowlatt Acts gathered in Amritsar, where thousands of unarmed civilians met in Jallianwala Bagh.
- Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered his troops to open fire on the crowd without warning.
- The firing lasted about ten minutes, killing nearly 400 people (official estimate) and injuring over 1,000.
- Dyer claimed his actions were meant to “produce a moral effect” and prevent rebellion.
Consequences and Significance
- The massacre destroyed any remaining Indian trust in British promises of fairness.
- The Hunter Commission condemned Dyer’s actions, but many Britons supported him, deepening Indian resentment.
- Gandhi suspended cooperation with the British and began organizing mass non-violent resistance.
- The event radicalized Indian politics, transforming the nationalist movement from elite-led petitions to mass mobilization.
The Government of India Act (1919) and the Simon Commission (1928)
- The Government of India Act (1919) introduced limited reforms known as “dyarchy.”
- Indian ministers were given control of education, health, and local government, but the British retained power over defense, finance, and law and order.
- Many nationalists considered the Act a disappointment because it preserved British dominance.
- The Simon Commission (1928) was set up by the British to review the Act, but it had no Indian members, provoking nationwide protests.
- Slogans such as “Simon Go Back” symbolized Indian anger and unity across communities.
Definition
Dyarchy
- A system dividing provincial subjects between elected Indian ministers and appointed British officials.
