Q. Which important event immediately preceded the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
(a) Rowlatt Act enactment
(b) Communal Award
(c) Simon Commission
(d) Quit India Movement
Ans: (a) Rowlatt Act enactment
Explanation: The important event that immediately preceded the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre was (a) Rowlatt Act enactment.
The Rowlatt Act, also known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, was a controversial law passed by the British colonial government in India. It was enacted on March 18, 1919, and granted the authorities sweeping powers to arrest and detain individuals without trial, curtail civil liberties, and suppress political activities.
The enactment of the Rowlatt Act was met with widespread opposition and protests across India. The Indian National Congress and other political organizations vehemently opposed the law, viewing it as repressive and discriminatory.
In response to the Rowlatt Act, a nationwide protest was called on April 6, 1919, which was observed as a day of nationwide strikes, demonstrations, and hartals (shutdowns). One of the prominent protests took place in the city of Amritsar in Punjab.
On April 13, 1919, the day after the protests, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occurred in Amritsar. British troops, led by General Reginald Dyer, fired upon a large gathering of unarmed protesters at the Jallianwala Bagh public garden, resulting in the death of hundreds of people and injuring many more.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) Rowlatt Act enactment, which immediately preceded the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.