Rowlatt Satyagraha – Rowlatt ACT Satyagraha, April Satyagraha 1919

Rowlatt Satyagraha

Rowlatt Satyagraha was a nonviolent resistance movement initiated by the Indian National Congress in 1919 against the repressive Rowlatt Act introduced by the British government. The act authorized the detention of political prisoners without trial and curtailed the fundamental rights of Indian citizens. The Satyagraha against Rowlatt Act was observed on April 6, 1919, and it involved a nationwide strike, protests, and demonstrations.

• Bardoli Satyagraha
• Ahmedabad Satyagraha
• Champaran Satyagraha
• Salt Satyagraha

The movement gained massive public support, and it led to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, where British troops fired upon unarmed protesters, resulting in the death of hundreds of innocent people. The Rowlatt Satyagraha played a significant role in India’s independence struggle, and it demonstrated the power of nonviolent resistance in achieving political goals.

Background of Rowlatt Satyagraha

The Rowlatt Satyagraha was a significant event in India’s struggle for independence against British colonial rule. The movement was launched in response to the repressive Rowlatt Act of 1919, which authorized the detention of political prisoners without trial and curtailed the fundamental rights of Indian citizens. Here are some key background points on the Rowlatt Satyagraha:

• The Rowlatt Act was passed by the British colonial government in India in March 1919, despite strong opposition from Indian political leaders and the Indian National Congress.
• The Act was seen as a severe threat to civil liberties, and it authorized the arrest and detention of anyone suspected of being a threat to British rule without trial.
• The Indian National Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi, opposed the Act and called for a nationwide strike on April 6, 1919, which was observed as the Rowlatt Satyagraha or April Satyagraha.
• The Satyagraha involved non-violent protests, strikes, and demonstrations across India, and it gained massive public support.
• The British government responded with repressive measures, including the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on April 13, 1919, where British troops fired upon unarmed protesters, resulting in the death of hundreds of people.
• The Rowlatt Satyagraha was a turning point in India’s struggle for independence, and it paved the way for the larger Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Gandhi in 1920, which called for the boycott of British goods and institutions.

Features of Rowlatt Satyagraha

Rowlatt Satyagraha was a mass protest movement that brought together people from diverse backgrounds in India to demand the repeal of the Rowlatt Act, which allowed for the arbitrary arrest and detention of Indians without trial by the British colonial authorities. Here are some key features of the Rowlatt Satyagraha:

• Non-violent resistance: The Satyagraha was a nonviolent campaign that aimed to use civil disobedience as a means to achieve political goals. The protesters used non-violent methods such as strikes, protests, and demonstrations to express their opposition to the Rowlatt Act.
• Nationwide protests: The Rowlatt Satyagraha was a nationwide campaign, with protests taking place in different parts of India. The movement gained massive public support, and people from all walks of life participated in it.
• Role of Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in leading the Rowlatt Satyagraha. He believed in the power of nonviolent resistance and used his influence to mobilize people for the Satyagraha
• British repression: The British colonial government responded to the Satyagraha with repressive measures, including the use of force and violence. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, where British troops fired upon unarmed protesters, was one of the most brutal acts of repression during the Satyagraha.
• Importance in India’s independence struggle: The Rowlatt Satyagraha was a significant event in India’s struggle for independence, and it paved the way for larger non-violent movements led by Gandhi, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Short Note on Rowlatt Satyagraha

Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress spearheaded the Rowlatt Satyagraha, a peaceful civil disobedience campaign, to protest the introduction of the Rowlatt Act by the British colonial government in India in 1919.

The Rowlatt Act was viewed as a severe infringement on civil liberties as it permitted indefinite detention without trials. The April Satyagraha, 1919 involved nationwide protests, strikes, and demonstrations, and it gained massive support from the public. The British government responded with repressive measures, including the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, resulting in the death of hundreds of people. The Rowlatt Satyagraha played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle and demonstrated the power of nonviolent resistance in achieving political goals.

Rowlatt Satyagraha UPSC

The Rowlatt Satyagraha marked a significant turning point in India’s freedom struggle and highlighted the need for the Indian masses to unite and fight against colonial oppression through peaceful means. This movement was instigated to oppose the Rowlatt Act, which authorized the British colonial government to curtail civil liberties and suppress political dissidence with sweeping powers. Mahatma Gandhi and other Indian nationalist leaders spearheaded the movement, employing tactics such as mass protests, strikes, and boycotts.

Rowlatt Satyagraha is an important topic for the UPSC exam as it comes under the Modern Indian History section. Understanding the significance and impact of Rowlatt Satyagraha is crucial for aspirants appearing in the UPSC exam, especially for those preparing for the history and political science sections.

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