During World War I (1914–18), Colonial government enacted a series of repressive emergency powers. These were made to combat subversive activities and to stop anti-British sentiments from rising.
After the war ended, expectations were high among Indians that those measures would be eased and that India would be given more political autonomy. However, they were awarded by Rowlatt Act.
Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919 by Imperial Legislative Council. This act extended extreme wartime measures.
To this, situation in Punjab was very volatile, and many protests were taking place. To control it, Punjab was put under martial law, which meant that it became unlawful for more than four people to assemble at a place.

Events of the Day

On a fateful day, a crowd of at least 20,000 men, women, and children gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh. The place was completely enclosed on all sides, with only one exit.
The civilians had assembled for a peaceful protest to condemn the arrest and deportation of two national leaders, Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew, who had demonstrated against the Rowlatt Acts.
Among the crowd were pilgrims who had come to celebrate Baisakhi, the annual harvest festival.
General Reginald Dyer arrived there with his troops and ordered them to shoot the unarmed citizens. The indiscriminate firing started, and the shooters only stopped to reload.
It killed about 399 people officially and injured many.
The British government was now at the peak of its colonial arrogance. It was highly criticized by all nationalists and even some British.

Aftermath of the Event

Hunter Commission: Also referred to as Disorders Inquiry Committee. Hunter Commission held General Dyer guilty but did not impose any punishment on him, nor any disciplinary action was taken. He was relieved of his services in 1920.
Rabindranath Tagore gave up his knighthood title.
Gandhi gave up his title of ‘Kaiser-e-hind’ given to him by British for his activities in Boer War in South Africa.
The massacre continues to inspire revulsion, even in the UK. Queen Elizabeth had also called the incident a “distressing example” of Britain’s history with India.

Decisive moment when Indians were alienated from British rule.
Ignited a new wave of nationalism.
Foundation of Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat movement.
Supported the cause for revolutionary movements in Punjab with the formation of Hindustan Republican Association.
Extremist wing of Congress got mass support to go hard on British Policies.

Reforms of 1909 did not satisfy any section.
As World War I went on, the emergence of the doctrine of self-determination, deeply influenced Indian public opinion.
A committee was appointed which together with the Viceroy helped Montagu prepare the draft of a reform scheme which was published in 1918 as Montagu Chelmsford Report based on which Government of India Act, 1919 was drafted.

Indian Legislative Council at the Centre was replaced by a bicameral system consisting of a Council of State (Upper House) and a Legislative Assembly (Lower House).
Communal representation was extended further with separate electorates for Sikhs, Christians and Anglo-Indians, besides Muslims.
Provinces were given power to decide on women’s representation in provincial assemblies.
It introduced dyarchy in the provinces, which indeed was a substantial step towards transfer of power to the Indian people.
However, provincial legislature was to consist of one house only (legislative council).
It separated the provincial and central budgets, with provincial legislatures being authorised to make their budgets.
A High Commissioner for India was appointed, who was to hold his office in London for six years and whose duty was to look after Indian trade in Europe. Some of the functions hitherto performed by the Secretary of State for India were transferred to the high commissioner.

Though a step was taken towards increasing association of Indians by raising their strength to 3 in Viceroy’s council, the departments assigned to them were comparatively unimportant.
Nor were these members made responsible to the legislative.
Division of subjects into two lists was not. Clear-cut or based on proper consideration.
Chief executive authority remained with Governor-general.
Communal politics of British was strengthened.

Major political parties rejected the act as it lacked provision for responsible government and promoted communal politics.
Gandhiji said, “The Montford Reforms were only a method of further draining India of her wealth and of prolonging her servitude.”

Reforms made a new departure. For the first time in the history of British rule, provision for transfer of power although limited was made. It established parliamentary democracy and was the beginning of a process of decolonisation.
The national self-awakening made Indians move from the idea of self-government under colonial rule towards the demand for complete Independence.
Failure of the act to deliver as per demands of Indians provided an issue for Gandhi to expose colonial rule. Gandhi presented his mission as to liberate Indian politics from this constricted arena of constitutionalism which was imposed by the western world.
It encouraged struggle for power between Indians and British.
Congress Swaraj party was formed in 1923 and won a substantial number of seats. They used the councils to challenge British on several acts and bills. Ex. Public Safety bill.