Rowlatt Act Flashcards
During the war (1915) what was India placed under?
The Defence of India Act.
What was the Defence of India Act measure used for?
It was intended to put a stop to revolutionary and Anti-War activities.
What was impermissible under the Defence of India Act?
Protesting.
What did the Defence of India act give the Viceroy (If not named mark as 2) the ability to do?
The power to issue regulations in order to appropriately defend India.
In early 1919, what was expected of Britain from India?
For the Defence of India act to be revoked. Indeed we know that Britain had other ideas.
In what year did the Government of India appoint S.T. Rowlatt?
1917
What was Rowlatt’s ethnicity?
Scottish.
What 3 states were isolated as centres of revolutionary acts?
Bengal,
Punjab,
Bombay.
When was the investigation finalised and reported?
July 1918.
What was recommended by Rowlatt that should be continued?
Old war time controlling in order to control the situation.
What did old war time tactics include?
Imprisonment without trial,
Trial without a jury present,
House arrest + Censorship.
What was Edwin Montague’s opinion on the Rowlatt Acts?
He sanctioned them with EXTREME reluctance.
Although he understood the dangers of rebellion, he notified the Viceroy ( Chelmsford )that he felt it was extremely disrespectful.
Out of the 22 Indian members of the Indian Legislative Council, How many opposed?
Every single one of them. They were out-voted by appointed officials.
When was the Rowlatt Acts officially created as a Law?
March 1919.
Who was the Muslim League Leader?
Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his colleagues felt outraged, and as a result, what did they do?
They collectively resigned from council.
After resigning, What did Muhammad Ali Jinnah do?
Furiously, He wrote a letter to Chelmsford (Viceroy)
What did the letter accuse the Viceroy Of?
He accused the administration of the Raj of being neither responsible for the people of India nor in touch with public opinion.
What has the Act exposed the Raj of being?
Very duplicitous. Supporting the Montagu declaration on one hand, But on the other hand inviting back repression.
What is a Hartal?
A political protest
Where was opposition to the Rowlatt acts most fierce?
In the punjab, Amritsar. ( The administrative capital )
What were the dates of the 2 important Hartals?
30th of March and the 6th of April 1919.
What was impressive about the hartals?
it was a fantastic display of Muslim-Hindu solidarity with no serious unrest.
What triggered rioting?
The arrest of Dr Pal and Dr Kitchlew. The two organisers.
What were the riots initially for? And what did it escalate to?
Initially, The riots were for the 2 organisers Kitchlew and Pal, but then it escalated to Anti-Raj protests.
What happened during these riots?
Banks were stormed and shattered,
Buildings set ablaze,
3 Europeans killed.
What was the name of the Mission Doctor?
Marcia Sherwood.
What happened to the Mission Doctor (M.S)
She was brutally beaten and saved by a couple hindus from certain death.
What was the Governor’s (O’Dwyer) opinion and reaction on the matter?
He thought this was a well executed tactic to overthrow the Raj, so he sent out the troops.
