Question

In the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919 who ordered the shooting of peaceful protesters?
1. General Reginald E. H. Dyer
2. Michael O’ Dwyer
3. Viceroy Lord Chelmsford
4. Lord William Hunter

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : General Reginald E. H. Dyer

The correct answer is General Reginald E. H. Dyer.

• General Reginald E. H. Dyer ordered the shooting of peaceful protesters in the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919.

• The Jallianwala Bagh massacre is also known as the Amritsar massacre.
• The government of India passed the Rowlatt Acts in early 1919 which essentially extended the repressive wartime measures.
• The acts were met by widespread anger and Dyer was given the task of restoring order.
• He had put a ban on public gathering.
• A crowd of at least 10,000 men, women, and children gathered in the Jallianwala Bagh to protest peacefully which only had one exit.
• General Dyer and his soldiers arrived and sealed off the exit and opened fire on protestors.

• Micheal O' Dwyer
  • He was Lt. governor of Punjab when Jallianwalah massacre took place.
  • He was assassinated by Udham Singh in 1940.
• Lord Chelmsford
  • ​He was viceroy of India from 1916 to 1921.
  • He is known for introduction of Montague-Chelmsford reforms of 1919, also known as Government of India Act,1919.