Rowlatt Act was passed : 

The correct answer is March 1919.

Key PointsThe Rowlatt Act was passed by the British government to increase their grip on power over the common folk.

• This law was passed in March 1919 by the Imperial Legislative Council which gave them the power to arrest any person without any trial.
• To abolish this act, Gandhi and the other leaders called for a Hartal (suspension of work) to show Indians’ objection to this rule.

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre or the Amritsar Massacre took place when many villagers gathered in the park for the celebration of  Baisakhi.

• The gatherers wanted to also peacefully protest the arrest and deportation of two national leaders, Satyapal and Saifuddin Kitchlew.
• It was officially known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, of 1919.

Additional Information

• The act was passed despite unanimous opposition from the Indian members of the council, all of whom resigned in protest.
  • These included Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Madan Mohan Malviya, and Mazhar Ul Haq.
• In response to this act, a nationwide hartal was called by Gandhiji on 6th April.
  • This was called the Rowlatt Satyagraha.
  • The movement was cancelled by Gandhiji when it was marred by rioting in some provinces, particularly in Punjab where the situation was grim.
• The British government’s primary intention was to repress the growing nationalist movement in the country.
• The British were also afraid of a Ghadarite revolution in Punjab and the rest of the country.
• Two popular Congress leaders Satya Pal and Saifuddin Kitchlew were arrested.
• The protest was very intense when the act came into effect and the army was called in Punjab to tackle the situation.