Understanding the Satyagraha Agitation and Gandhi's Journey

In the year 1919, India witnessed significant political unrest, particularly against the Rowlatt Act. M.K. Gandhi was a prominent figure leading the resistance through the method of satyagraha, which means 'truth force' or 'soul force'.

To extend the reach of the satyagraha agitation and mobilize support in different parts of the country, M.K. Gandhi planned to travel to Delhi and Punjab.

Gandhi's Journey and Interception on April 8, 1919

M.K. Gandhi commenced his journey from Bombay (now Mumbai) on 8th April 1919. His destination included Delhi and Punjab, where the satyagraha movement needed further momentum.

However, the British authorities were wary of Gandhi's influence and his ability to stir mass protests. As he traveled towards Delhi, he was intercepted by the authorities.

Removal from Train at Palwal

M.K. Gandhi's train journey was halted, and he was removed from the train at Palwal. Palwal is a town located in the present-day state of Haryana, which was historically part of the Punjab province before the partition.

The action taken by the British administration was to prevent Gandhi from reaching Delhi and Punjab, where the satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act was gaining strength and facing severe repression, including incidents like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre which occurred later in April 1919.

Following his removal from the train at Palwal, M.K. Gandhi was escorted back to Bombay.

Analyzing the Options

• Palwal: This location fits the historical account where M.K. Gandhi was intercepted and removed from the train while traveling to Delhi and Punjab on April 8, 1919, during the satyagraha movement against the Rowlatt Act.
• Delhi: Gandhi was aiming to reach Delhi and Punjab, but he was stopped before arriving at Delhi.
• Meerut: Meerut was not the location where Gandhi was removed from the train on this specific journey.
• Amritsar: Amritsar in Punjab was a major center of the agitation, but Gandhi was intercepted at Palwal before reaching Punjab.

Based on historical records, the event of M.K. Gandhi being removed from the train on April 8, 1919, occurred at Palwal.

Revision Table: Key Facts about Gandhi's 1919 Journey

Additional Information: The Rowlatt Satyagraha of 1919

The Rowlatt Satyagraha was one of the first nationwide protests organized by Gandhi. It was a response to the Rowlatt Act, which was passed by the British government in India.

• The Rowlatt Act: This act, officially the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919, allowed the British government to imprison any person without trial for up to two years. It was seen by Indian leaders as a severe curtailment of civil liberties.
• Gandhi's Call for Satyagraha: Gandhi called for a nationwide hartal (strike) and non-violent protest against the act. The movement began in early April 1919.
• Impact of the Satyagraha: The protests spread rapidly and involved widespread participation. However, in some areas, the protests turned violent.
• Significance: The Rowlatt Satyagraha marked Gandhi's emergence as a national leader and the beginning of the mass phase of the Indian independence movement. The events surrounding the satyagraha, including Gandhi's interception and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, had a profound impact on the political landscape.

Gandhi's attempted journey to Delhi and Punjab on April 8, 1919, and his subsequent removal from the train at Palwal were direct consequences of his leadership in the Rowlatt Satyagraha movement.