What led to the Jallianwala Bagh incident

The Jallianwala Bagh incident was precipitated by mounting tensions between the British colonial administration and Indian nationalists following the introduction of the Rowlatt Act in March 1919. This draconian legislation gave British authorities sweeping powers to arrest and detain Indians without trial, suppress freedom of speech, and quell political dissent. The act triggered widespread protests across India, with leaders like Gandhi calling for satyagraha (non-violent resistance) to challenge this unjust law.

In Amritsar specifically, the situation escalated when British officials arrested and deported Dr. Satyapal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew, two respected local leaders who had been organizing peaceful demonstrations against the Rowlatt Act. Their sudden removal on April 10, 1919, sparked riots in the city, during which several British civilians were attacked and some government buildings were damaged. In response, Brigadier General Reginald Dyer was sent to restore order and imposed martial law, banning all public gatherings. However, many residents remained unaware of this prohibition when they assembled at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13 for Baisakhi celebrations and to protest the arrests. Dyer's decision to violently suppress this gathering without warning resulted in the massacre that became a turning point in India's independence movement.