In early 1919, Gandhi launched his first all-India campaign: a satyagraha against a repressive new law. It never achieved its stated goal, but it pulled him to the front of the national movement, and set the stage for Jallianwala Bagh weeks later.
A “Hartal” leaflet dated 6 May 1919, from the Rowlatt Satyagraha campaign. Source: Mohandas K. Gandhi, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.
✊ Must Know
A Repressive Law, and Gandhi’s Response
- The Rowlatt Act The Rowlatt Act, passed 18 March 1919, let British India imprison suspected terrorists without trial. It was based on the Rowlatt (Sedition) Committee’s recommendations.
- The Satyagraha Gandhi launched the Rowlatt Satyagraha in response, calling for a nationwide hartal (general strike) on 6 April 1919.
- Real networks used Gandhi organised the campaign using real, existing political networks. These included the Home Rule Leagues, pan-Islamist groups, and a satyagraha sabha he founded in Bombay that February.
📘 Good to Know
From Hartal to Jallianwala Bagh
- Violence Gandhi never wanted The hartal turned violent in several cities, especially Punjab. Gandhi called off the wider campaign on 18 April, distressed that it had strayed from non-violence.
- Punjab under martial law Punjab’s Lieutenant Governor, Michael O’Dwyer, responded with sweeping crackdowns. Amritsar was placed under the direct control of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer.
- Jallianwala Bagh On 13 April 1919, Dyer’s troops opened fire on an unarmed crowd at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, killing hundreds. It became one of colonial rule’s deadliest single incidents.
Test Yourself
🌟 Great to Know
Where This Campaign Fits
- Gandhi’s first all-India campaign The Rowlatt Satyagraha was Gandhi’s first nationwide political campaign in India. It came after his return from South Africa in 1915, and after the more localised Champaran and Kheda satyagrahas.
- A law that mostly failed to bite Despite passing, the Rowlatt Act was rarely actually enforced. Its main lasting effect was the backlash it triggered, not its own use as law.
- A direct line to Non-Cooperation Anger over the Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh fed directly into the 1920 Non-Cooperation Movement. It also combined with Muslim anger over the Khilafat issue.
📝 Previous Year Questions
Which Statements on the Rowlatt Satyagraha Hold Up?
- Answer: (b) Statements 1 and 2 only are correct.
- Statement 1, correct The Rowlatt Act was based on the Rowlatt/Sedition Committee’s recommendations.
- Statement 2, correct Gandhi did use Home Rule League networks to help organise the Satyagraha.
- Statement 3, wrong The Simon Commission arrived in 1928, nearly a decade after the 1919 Rowlatt Satyagraha — there is no real overlap.
- View this question on the full 2015 paper →
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