Hunter Commission of 1919 was constituted to examine which of the following incidents?

The correct answer is Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

Key Points

• The Hunter Commission was constituted in 1919 by the British government to investigate the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
• The massacre took place on 13 April 1919, when British troops under General Reginald Dyer fired on a peaceful gathering at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab.
• Approximately 379 people were killed and over 1,000 were injured in the incident, though unofficial estimates suggest much higher numbers.
• The Hunter Commission was led by Lord William Hunter, a former Solicitor-General for Scotland.
• The Commission's findings were widely criticized as biased, as it failed to hold General Dyer fully accountable for the atrocities.

Additional Information

• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre:
  • The massacre is considered a turning point in India's struggle for independence.
  • On the day of the massacre, people had gathered peacefully to protest against the Rowlatt Act, which allowed the British to detain Indians without trial.
  • General Dyer ordered troops to open fire without warning and blocked the main entrance to prevent escape.
  • The incident led to widespread outrage and condemnation both in India and internationally.
• Rowlatt Act:
  • Passed in 1919, the Rowlatt Act extended wartime emergency measures to suppress revolutionary activities.
  • It allowed the British government to imprison suspects without trial and curtail civil liberties.
  • The act sparked nationwide protests, leading to events like the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
• Impact on National Movement:
  • The massacre intensified anti-British sentiments and mobilized Indians for independence.
  • Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood in protest against the incident.
  • Mahatma Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 as a response to British atrocities.
• General Reginald Dyer:
  • Known as the "Butcher of Amritsar," Dyer defended his actions, claiming it was necessary to instill fear.
  • He was criticized by some in Britain but received support from imperialists.
  • Dyer was relieved of duty but faced no severe consequences for his actions.