Rowlatt Act 1919 or Rowlatt Satyagraha is one of the most controversial legislative bills enacted by the British government to curtail the civil liberties of Indian people in the early twentieth century. It transformed the Indian national movement and gave prominence to India’s fiercest freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi. This bill unearthed several protests across India and also led to the most horrifying event in Indian history: the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. Rowlatt Act is covered in UPSC and is a major topic in many other India’s competitive exams . If you are a history enthusiast then keep reading because, in this blog, we are going to cover one of the most essential events of modern Indian history.
This Blog Includes:
- What is Rowlatt Act 1919?
- Rowlatt Act and its Impact
- Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
- Hunter Commission
- Nationalist Response
- Timeline of Rowlatt Act
- Non- Cooperation Movement
- Khilafat Movement
- Rowlatt Act PPT
- Books on British India and Rowlatt Act for UPSC
- Short Note on the Rowlatt Actfor UPSC
- Rowlatt Act Notes PDF for UPSC
- Important Questions for Rowlatt Act Class 10
- Rowlatt Satyagraha/Rowlatt Act UPSC Questions
Also Read: Non-Cooperation Movement: Features, Causes and Results
What is Rowlatt Act 1919?
The Rowlatt Act or Rowlatt Satyagraha (famously known as the Black Act) refers to the draconian law passed by the British government in March 1919. It is officially called the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act and gave enormous power to the British government and police to arrest anyone suspected of seditious activities. It was meant to replace the emergency law called the Defence of India Act 1915. The Black Act was drafted by a committee headed by a British Judge, Sir Sydney Rowlatt to curb the growing movement of nationalism in India.
| British Bill | Rowlatt Act/ Rowlatt Satyagraha(Black Act} |
| Enacted | 1919 |
| Drafted | Sir Sydney Rowlatt |
| Objective | Replaced the repressive provisions of the wartime Defence of India Act (1915) by a permanent law and curb the growing unrest in India. |
| Provisions | The act gave the government authority to arrest any suspected person without a warrant and detain him/her for up to 2 years without a trial.The act took away people’s right to legal discourse and suspended the constitutional right to habeas corpus.The Rowlatt act as an extension of the emergency law in the aftermath of the first world war.The act also meant severe limitations on free press and gave the police undue right to search public and private spaces without a warrant.An indefinite ban on public gatherings of any nature. |
| Public Response | Mahatma Gandhi launched a nationwide satyagraha (peaceful civil disobedience movement) against the Rowlatt Act on 6th April 1919. |
| Impact | Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and withdrawal of Rowlatt Act in 1922 |
Rowlatt Act and its Impact
- The act gave the government authority to arrest any suspected person without a warrant and detain him/her for up to 2 years without a trial.
- The act took away people’s right to legal discourse and suspended the constitutional right to habeas corpus.
- The Rowlatt act as an extension of the emergency law in the aftermath of the first world war.
- The act also meant severe limitations on free press and gave the police undue right to search public and private spaces without a warrant.
- An indefinite ban on public gatherings of any nature.
Despite a massive opposition by the unofficial Indian members to the Act, the legislative assembly made the notorious bill into law in March 1919. Many Indian leaders like Mohammad Ali Jinnah resigned from the legislative assembly and criticised the dictatorship of the British Power and the lack of constitutional rights for the Indian citizens. The act further alienated Indian citizens, especially people of Punjab who had gallantly fought along with the British army in the first World War (1914 to 1918).
In protest, Mahatma Gandhi launched a nationwide satyagraha (peaceful civil disobedience movement) against the Rowlatt Act on 6th April 1919. Millions of Indians supported the movement. In various parts of India, the movement turned violent and riots broke out. The situation in Punjab province was the worst, the British government declared martial law in the province and Mahatma Gandhi called off the movement. As the protest turned violent, many prominent Congress leaders were arrested like Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew. In Punjab, martial law dictated that no more than 4 people were allowed to assemble in the province.
Also Read: Salt Satyagraha
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place on 13th April 1919 on the day of Baisakhi when a large group of men, women and children unaware of the martial law decided to assemble in the park. The peaceful protest was organised against the Rowlatt Act and the wrongful arrest of Congress leaders in India. Without any warning, General Dyer ordered its men to block all entrances and to open fire on the peaceful gathering. This massacre took 400 civilian lives and injured 1200.
The incident created a rift between the Indian people and the British government. Despite a massive outcry, no action was taken against the perpetrators of the heinous crime. The massacre at Amritsar was a turning point in the Indian national movement as the moderate leaders lost faith in the fairness of the British regime.The Hunter Commission was set up to investigate the event and condemned the actions of General Dyer yet no concrete punishment was issued against the General behind the most brutal killings in modern India.
Hunter Commission
- A committee of inquiry to investigate the Jallianwala Bagh shootings was formed by the Government.
- On October 14, 1919, Disorders Inquiry Committee was formed by the Indian Government.
- After Lord William Hunter, the committee was named Hunter Commission. It also had Indian members.
- In the final report submitted in March 1920, the committee unanimously condemned Dyer’s actions.
- The Hunter Committee did not impose any penal or disciplinary action against General Dyer.
Nationalist Response
- Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest.
- Mahatma Gandhi gave up the title of Kaiser-i-Hind, bestowed by the British for his work during the Boer War.
- Gandhi was overwhelmed by the atmosphere of total violence and withdrew the movement on April 18, 1919.
- The Indian National Congress appointed its own non-official committee that included Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das, Abbas Tyabji, M.R. Jayakar, and Gandhi to look into the shootings.
- Congress put forward its own view. This view criticized Dyer’s act as inhuman and also said that there was no justification in the introduction of the martial law in Punjab.
Timeline of Rowlatt Act
| Date | Event of Rowlatt Act for UPSC |
| 1917 | The Government of India appointed a committee headed by Justice Sydney Rowlatt to investigate ‘seditious activities’ in India and bring out measures to curb the revolution. |
| 1919 | In March 1919, the British government passed the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, popularly called the Rowlatt Bill despite popular opposition. |
| 1919 | In April 1919, in opposition to the draconian law that threatened the civil liberties of the Indians, Mahatma Gandhi launched nationwide satyagraha. |
| 1919 | Mahatma Gandhi cancelled the nationwide hartal as the movement grew violent. Riots broke out in India and Punjab was the worst hit, it was put under Martial Law. On 13th April 1919, the traumatic Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place, a group of peaceful protestors gathered in the park and Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Michael O’Dwyer opened fire and killed hundreds and injured thousands of people. |
| October 1919 | The Hunter Commission was appointed by the Government of India to investigate the Jallianwala bagh incident. |
| 1922 | Rowlatt Act was repealed by Lord Reading |
Non- Cooperation Movement
The non-cooperation movement was launched in 1920 on 5th September. It was led by Mahatma Gandhi & focused on abolishing the use of British products, declining or resigning from British posts, educational institutions, prohibiting government regulations, courts, etc. The movement was non-violent & launched to withdraw the nation’s cooperation after theJallianwala Bagh Massacre&Rowlatt Act. Mahatma Gandhi stated India could achieve independence within a year if this movement was a success. It was the transition of individuals to a mass movement. Non-cooperation was focused to get full independence also known as Purna Swaraj. To know more, read our blog on Non-Cooperation Movement.
Khilafat Movement
Two movements that were initiated to oppose British rule in India during the fight for India Independence were Khilafat and Non-cooperation movement. Both of the movements followed non-violence acts. While there were many reasons behind the movements, one major reason behind the Khilafat movement was when the religious head of Muslims who was the sultan of turkey was killed by Britishers. Khilafat movement led by Maulana Mohammed Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali, Maulana Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan, and Hasrat Mohani. This movement united Hindus and Muslims as the leaders of the khilafat movement joined the non-cooperation movement.
Rowlatt Act PPT
Books on British India and Rowlatt Act for UPSC
| Books | Buy Here |
| The British in India: A Social History of the Raj | Click Here |
| The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple | Click Here |
| Inglorious Empire by Shashi Tharoor | Click Here |
| The History of British India by James Mill | Click Here |
| An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India | Click Here |
| The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience | Click Here |
Short Note on the Rowlatt Actfor UPSC
Rowlatt Act is one of the most controversial legislative bills enacted by the British government to curtail the civil liberties of Indian people in the early twentieth century. It transformed the Indian national movement and gave prominence to India’s fiercest freedom fighter, Mahatma Gandhi. This bill unearthed several protests across India and also led to the most horrifying event in Indian history: the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. The act created a ripple effect in India and gave the government authority to arrest any suspected person without a warrant and detain him/her for up to 2 years without a trial. It took away people’s right to legal discourse and suspended the constitutional right to habeas corpus. The Rowlatt act as an extension of the emergency law in the aftermath of the first world war. Indians who had gallantly fought in the first world war were subjected to severe limitations like a ban on the free press, the right to search public and private spaces without a warrant, and an indefinite ban on public gatherings of any nature.
Rowlatt Act Notes PDF for UPSC
Here is a PDF for the above-mentioned Rowlatt Act notes-
What is Rowlatt Act 1919Download
Important Questions for Rowlatt Act Class 10
- What was the Rowlatt Act and why was it imposed?
- In which session of the Indian National Congress was the demand for ‘Puma Swaraj’ formalized?
- Who had designed the ‘Swaraj Flag’ by 1921? Explain the main features of the ‘Swaraj Flag’.
- What type of flag was designed during the Swadeshi Movement’ in Bengal? Explain its main features.
- Discuss the incidence of Jallianwala Bagh.
Rowlatt Satyagraha/Rowlatt Act UPSC Questions
Which year was the Rowlatt Act/Rowlatt Satyagraha introduced?
The Rowlatt Act was introduced in the year 1919 by the British government and on the recommendation of the Rowlatt Committee formed in 1917.
Which act passed by the British government is also known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919?
In March 1919, the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act was passed. It was more popularly known as the Rowlatt Act or the Black Act in India.
When was Rowlatt act/Rowlatt Satyagraha passed?
The Rowlatt Act was introduced at the Imperial Legislative Council of Delhi on 10th March 1919.
When did Mahatma Gandhi announce the nationwide satyagraha in India?
Mahatma Gandhi in opposition to the notorious Rowlatt Act declared a nationwide satyagraha on 6th April 1919. Soon, the movement was called off as riots broke out in India.
What is the significance of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a watershed moment in the Indian national movement as several moderate Indian leaders lost all faith in the British establishment and began to demand absolute independence. The massacre stunned Indians and showed them how callously the British had treated Indian lives.
Write a short note on Rowlatt act/ Rowlatt Satyagraha
The Rowlatt Act (famously known as the Black Act) refers to the draconian law passed by the British government in March 1919. It is officially called the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act and gave enormous power to the British government and police to arrest anyone suspected of seditious activities. It was meant to replace the emergency law called the Defence of India Act 1915. The act gave the government authority to arrest any suspected person without a warrant and detain him/her for up to 2 years without a trial.
Rowlatt act was based on which committee?
It was based on Justice S.A.T. Rowlatt’s committee of 1918.
This was all about the Rowlatt Act 1919! The act and the satyagraha were two significant events in history and changed the direction of the Indian national movement. For more informative blogs, stay tuned with Leverage Edu.
FAQs
What is Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh massacre? ›
WHAT LED TO THE JALLIANWALA BAGH MASSACRE. The Rowlatt Act (Black Act) was passed on March 10, 1919, authorizing the government to imprison or confine, without a trial, any person associated with seditious activities. This led to nationwide unrest. Gandhi initiated Satyagraha to protest against the Rowlatt Act.
What is Rowlatt Act Short answer? ›Rowlatt Acts, (February 1919), legislation passed by the Imperial Legislative Council, the legislature of British India. The acts allowed certain political cases to be tried without juries and permitted internment of suspects without trial.
What is Rowlatt Act PDF? ›The Rowlatt Act (famously known as the Black Act) refers to the draconian law passed by the British government in March 1919. It is officially called the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act and gave enormous power to the British government and police to arrest anyone suspected of seditious activities.
What was Rowlatt Act and Rowlatt satyagraha Class 10? ›The Rowlatt Act was the popular name for the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919 passed by the British Indian government. This Act was termed the 'Black Act' by the Indian public because of its unjust and restrictive nature. The Act was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council on 18th March 1919.
What was Rowlatt Act Class 10 in points? ›This act authorised the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist activities. It also authorised the government to detain such people arrested for up to 2 years without trial. It empowered the police to search for a place without a warrant.
What was Rowlatt Act Class 10 Brainly? ›Answer: The Rowlatt Act was passed by the British government to increase their grip on power over the common folk. This law was passed in March 1919 by the Imperial Legislative Council which gave them the power to arrest any person without any trial.
What is another name for Rowlatt Act? ›The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, popularly known as the Rowlatt Act, was a law that applied in British India.
Who started Rowlatt Act? ›Then, in March 1919, the British introduced one of the most hated pieces of legislations in India. It was called the 'Rowlatt Act' and it had far-reaching consequences on the freedom movement.
Why was Rowlatt Act called black act? ›It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities, and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. But even then in 1919 Rowlatt act was passed. The law was unfair and Indians called it the 'Black Act.
How many died in Jallianwala Bagh massacre? ›The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place 103 years ago today (April 13, 1919). According to British government records, 379 people including men, women, and children were killed while 1,200 were injured in the indiscriminate firing ordered by Colonel Reginald Dyer.
How many gates are there in Jallianwala Bagh? ›
The Jallianwala Bagh was surrounded on all sides by houses and buildings and had only five narrow entrances, most kept permanently locked.
How do you pronounce Rowlatt Act? ›Rowlett (How to Pronounce Cities of the World) - YouTube
What is Rowlatt Act Class 10 in simple words? ›Rowlatt Act, 1919
This act authorised the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist activities. It also authorised the government to detain such people arrested for up to 2 years without trial. It empowered the police to search a place without a warrant.
It took place on 13 April 1919. The then Acting Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered troops of the British Indian Army to fire their rifles into a crowd of unarmed Indian civilians who got together in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab, killing at least 379 people and injuring over 1,200 other people.
What was the impact of Jallianwala Bagh incident 10? ›The massacre at Jallianwala Bagh caused many moderate Indians to abandon their previous loyalty to the British and become nationalists distrustful of British rule. It fuelled greater nationalist zeal among the Indian populace leading to the launch of the non-cooperation movement.
What is Rowlatt Act BYJU's? ›The Rowlatt Act of 1919 act authorized the Government to imprison any person without trial & convict him in court.
What are the objectives of Rowlatt Act? ›The main aim of the Rowlatt act was to curb the fundamental rights of Indian citizens. Rowlatt Act was passed with the objective of completely suppressing the political activities in India by giving enormous powers to the Government.
How did people react to Rowlatt Act? ›Indians reacted against this unreasonable act Gandhiji wanted a non-violent civil disobedience against the unjust law and decided to start a hartal on 6th April 1919. Rallies were organised in various cities. People organised hartals all over the country in protest of the Rowlatt Act and the shops were shut down.
Why was martial law imposed in Amritsar? ›Answer: Local leaders were picked up from Amritsar, and Mahatma Gandhi was not allowed to enter Delhi. On 10th April, the police in Amritsar fired upon a peaceful procession, provoking widespread attacks on banks, post offices and railway stations, so Martial Law was imposed.
Why was the Rowlatt Act introduced? ›The Rowlatt Act was passed in the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919. It was passed to smother the political activities in India.
What was the cause of Jallianwala Bagh massacre? ›
The main reason behind the massacre was because British government has passed the Rowlatt Act 1919. The British government introduced the Rowlatt Act to tighten its control over the populace. The Imperial Legislative Council approved this law in March 1919, giving them the authority to detain anybody without a trial.
What are the two provision of Rowlatt Act? ›1. The Government could arrest anybody without any trail or warrant. 2. This act enables the Government to suspend the right of Habeas Corpus i.e. habeas corpus is a fundamental right in the Constitution that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment.
Why did Gandhi oppose the Rowlatt Acts? ›Answer: Mahatma gandhi opposed this actbecause it was too unfair on the part of indians as they were getting arrested without even knowing cause for indefinite period. Also britisherswere using this act to suppress people who were fighting for freedom.
Which law is called black? ›B) The Rowlatt Act is known as the Black Act. It was implemented in 1919. It was recommended by the Rowlatt Committee. A British Judge, Sir Sidney Rowlatt was its president.
Which act is known as Black Bill '? ›The British passed the Rowlatt Act, which in Gandhi's words was the 'Black Act'. The act gave the police way more power than appropriate. They could arrest anyone without a warrant and detain anyone without a trial.
How did Rowlatt Act affect the national movement? ›This Act gave the British Government enormous powers to repress political activities. According to this law political prisoners could be detained without trial for two years. Mahatma Gandhi wanted non-violent civil disobedience against such unjust law.
Who was the leader of Jallianwala Bagh? ›Gen. Reginald Edward Harry Dyer was given the task of restoring order. Among the measures taken was a ban on public gatherings. On the afternoon of April 13, a crowd of at least 10,000 men, women, and children gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh, which was nearly completely enclosed by walls and had only one exit.
Who survived Jallianwala Bagh massacre? ›Unlike the hundreds who were slaughtered that fateful day in Amritsar, Nanak Singh survived the massacre. He had collapsed in a stampede triggered by the firing and was left for dead under a pile of corpses. The two friends with whom he had attended the protest died.
Why did General Dyer open fire? ›To severely enforce the Martial Law that was in place at the time in Amritsar, General Dyer opened fire on the crowd at Jallianwala Bagh. Additionally, General Dyer wished to convey the idea that adherence to British colonial rule in India would be upheld.
What is the shape of Jallianwala Bagh? ›“In 1919, Jallianwala Bagh was no garden, but a desolate piece of land… of irregular shape... [It was] about 250 yards long and 200 yards wide.
What happened to General Dyer after Jallianwala Bagh? ›
According to an official report, his troops killed 379 unarmed Indian men, women, and children and wounded some 1,200. As a result, Dyer was removed from command into enforced retirement. The matter received international attention, and Indian nationalists turned the site into a martyrs' memorial.
How do you spell Jallianwala Bagh? ›Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Jallianwala also spelled Jallianwalla, also called Massacre of Amritsar, incident on April 13, 1919, in which British troops fired on a large crowd of unarmed Indians in an open space known as the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar in the Punjab region (now in Punjab state) of India, killing ...
How do you read a massacre? ›How to Pronounce Massacre? (CORRECTLY) - YouTube
How do you spell Kitchlew? ›Saifuddin Kitchlew (15 January 1888 – 9 October 1963) was an Indian independence activist, barrister, politician and later a leader of the peace movement.
When was the anti Rowlatt Act suspended? ›Gandhi started a nationwide strike which was later called the Anti-Rowlatt Satyagraha Movement. This movement started as non-violent, but it took the form of violence and riots. Due to this Gandhiji decided to end the satyagraha on April 18, 1919.
Was Jallianwala Bagh justified? ›An apology can't make up for the loss and injustice, but it shows remorse, if it is sincere. Indian outrage over the Jallianwala Bagh massacre is justified.
What was the impact of famous Jallianwala Bagh over society and British government? ›As the news of Jallianwalla Bagh massacre spread crowds took to streets in many towns in North India. There were strikes and clashes with police and attacks on government buildings. The government responded with brutal repression. Innocent people were humiliated and terrorised.
Who gave the order for firing in Jallianwala Bagh? ›General dyer ordered his troopes to order fire on a crowd of non violent protestors gathered in Jallianwala Bagh on the day of Baisakhi . Q.
What was Rowlatt Act Why was it imposed? ›The British Colonial Government passed the Rowlatt Act which gave powers to the police to arrest any person without any reason. The purpose of the Act was to curb the growing nationalist upsurge in the country.
Who started Rowlatt Act? ›Then, in March 1919, the British introduced one of the most hated pieces of legislations in India. It was called the 'Rowlatt Act' and it had far-reaching consequences on the freedom movement.
Why was the Rowlatt Act passed *? ›
The Rowlatt Act was passed in the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919. It was passed to smother the political activities in India.
Why is Rowlatt Act known as Black Act? ›It gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities, and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years. But even then in 1919 Rowlatt act was passed. The law was unfair and Indians called it the 'Black Act.
What was Rowlatt Act 5 marks? ›Rowlatt Act, 1919
It was passed in March 1919 by the Imperial Legislative Council. This act authorised the British government to arrest anybody suspected of terrorist activities. It also authorised the government to detain such people arrested for up to 2 years without trial.
It took place on 13 April 1919. The then Acting Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer ordered troops of the British Indian Army to fire their rifles into a crowd of unarmed Indian civilians who got together in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab, killing at least 379 people and injuring over 1,200 other people.
How many died in Jallianwala Bagh massacre? ›The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place 103 years ago today (April 13, 1919). According to British government records, 379 people including men, women, and children were killed while 1,200 were injured in the indiscriminate firing ordered by Colonel Reginald Dyer.
What was the other name of the Rowlatt Act? ›The Rowlatt Act, referred to as the “black act” was passed by the British government in 1919, during the First World War. It was named after the Rowlatt Committee's president Sir Sidney Rowlatt.
Who ordered the Jallianwala Bagh massacre? ›Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 13 April 1919. General Dyer blocked the only entrance to Jallianwala Bagh and ordered his troops to open fire on the unarmed civilians.
How Rowlatt Act affect the national movement? ›This Act gave the British Government enormous powers to repress political activities. According to this law political prisoners could be detained without trial for two years. Mahatma Gandhi wanted non-violent civil disobedience against such unjust law.
When was Rowlatt Act passed? ›The Rowlatt Act (Black Act), was an act passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in Delhi on 21 March 1919.
When did Jallianwala Bagh massacre? ›Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Jallianwala also spelled Jallianwalla, also called Massacre of Amritsar, incident on April 13, 1919, in which British troops fired on a large crowd of unarmed Indians in an open space known as the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar in the Punjab region (now in Punjab state) of India, killing ...
Who was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed? ›
Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy when the Rowlatt Act was passed. It was passed in 1919, despite opposition from Indians.
Which act is known as Black Bill '? ›The British passed the Rowlatt Act, which in Gandhi's words was the 'Black Act'. The act gave the police way more power than appropriate. They could arrest anyone without a warrant and detain anyone without a trial.
Which law is also called Black law? ›The Rowlatt Act is known as the Black Act. It was implemented in 1919. It was recommended by the Rowlatt Committee. A British Judge, Sir Sidney Rowlatt was its president.
How did Indians react to Rowlatt Act? ›Indians reacted against this unreasonable act Gandhiji wanted a non-violent civil disobedience against the unjust law and decided to start a hartal on 6th April 1919. Rallies were organised in various cities. People organised hartals all over the country in protest of the Rowlatt Act and the shops were shut down.