What consequences did the Rowlatt Act have for British rule?

The Rowlatt Act led to widespread protests and unrest, significantly intensifying the Indian independence movement against British rule.

The Rowlatt Act, passed in 1919, was a legislative measure enacted by the British colonial government in India. It was designed to extend the emergency measures of preventive indefinite detention, incarceration without trial and judicial review enacted during the First World War under the Defence of India Act 1915. The Act was met with immediate and widespread opposition from Indian leaders and the public, who saw it as a blatant violation of civil liberties.

The Act's passage led to a significant escalation in the Indian independence movement. The most notable response was the call for a nationwide hartal (strike) by Mahatma Gandhi, which was observed on 6th April 1919. This was followed by widespread protests, demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience across the country. The protests were largely peaceful, but in some places, they turned violent, leading to clashes with the police and the arrest of key leaders.

The most infamous incident associated with the Rowlatt Act was the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. On 13th April 1919, a large crowd gathered in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, to protest the Act. British troops, led by General Dyer, opened fire on the unarmed crowd, killing hundreds and injuring thousands. The massacre shocked the nation and the world, leading to a significant intensification of the independence movement.

The Rowlatt Act and its aftermath also led to a shift in the attitude of Indian leaders towards the British. Many moderate leaders, who had previously advocated for constitutional reforms within the framework of British rule, were radicalised by the Act and the brutal response to the protests. This included Gandhi, who launched his Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920, marking the beginning of mass, nationwide campaigns of civil disobedience against British rule.

In conclusion, the Rowlatt Act had profound consequences for British rule in India. It led to widespread protests and unrest, significantly intensifying the Indian independence movement. The Act and its aftermath also radicalised many Indian leaders, leading to a shift in the strategy of the independence movement towards mass, nationwide campaigns of civil disobedience.