Amritsar+Massacre

**Amritsar Massacre** In April 1919, Gandhi began a civil-disobedience protest against the British Rowlatt Act, which allowed the colonial government to imprison those suspected of sedition without trial for extended periods of time. Gandhi was arrested on his way to Amritsar, and despite his efforts to keep his protests non-violent, he couldn't always control the Indian protesters. On April 10, a mob killed 4 E uropeans, attacked a missionary, and burned buildings; the local government was helpless and called in the British troops.

When the troops arrived, General R.E.H. Dyer prohibited public gatherings and imposed a curfew. On April 13, a group of 10,000 met in the Jallainwala Bagh, a walled garden, celebrating a religious festival. When an activist attempted to a d dress the crowd, Gen. Dyer open fired on the crowd without warning. 379 people were killed, and over 1,200 were wounded. There were mixed reactions in England, where many were angered and ordered he retire, while many acclaimed him as a hero.

The reaction in India was of outrage. From that point on, nationalism radicalized and many members of the Indian National Congress switched over to Gandhi's methods. Even Gandhi himself radicalized his views and declared open refusal of loyalty to Britain.