Part of: Punjab Gk set 10

According to General Dyer, his objective of the Jallianwala Bagh incident, was:

Category: Punjab Gk

Hint: Consider the psychological impact General Dyer intended to have on the satyagrahis.

Correct Answer: A) To create in the minds of satyagrahis a feeling of terror and awe.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The Jallianwala Bagh incident, which took place on April 13, 1919, in Amritsar, Punjab, was a significant event in the history of the Indian independence movement. The incident involved the British colonial forces, led by General Reginald Dyer, firing on a peaceful gathering of unarmed civilians. The event resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and injured thousands more.

General Dyer's actions were not merely a response to a specific protest but were part of a broader strategy to suppress the growing Indian independence movement. The primary objective of the British colonial administration was to maintain control over the Indian subcontinent and prevent any form of rebellion or uprising. Dyer's actions were intended to create a psychological impact that would deter future protests and instill a sense of fear and awe in the satyagrahis, or non-violent protesters.

The satyagrahis were a group of individuals who were part of the non-violent resistance movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. They were committed to the principles of non-violence and civil disobedience as a means of protest against British rule. Dyer's actions were aimed at breaking the morale of these protesters and discouraging them from participating in any future protests or acts of civil disobedience.

It is important to understand that the incident was not just an act of violence but a calculated move to instill fear and awe in the minds of the satyagrahis. The psychological impact of the incident was intended to be far-reaching, with the hope that it would deter future protests and maintain the status quo of British rule in India. The incident is remembered as a tragic event that highlighted the brutal nature of colonial rule and the lengths to which the British were willing to go to suppress the Indian independence movement.

While other options such as humiliating the satyagrahis, repressing the Congress, or imprisoning protesters might seem plausible, they do not capture the primary objective of General Dyer. The psychological impact of instilling terror and awe was the key strategy behind the incident, aimed at suppressing the growing movement for independence.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is correct. General Dyer's primary objective was to instill a sense of terror and awe in the satyagrahis to suppress the Indian independence movement. His actions were intended to create a psychological impact that would deter further protests.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. While humiliation was a byproduct of the incident, it was not General Dyer's primary objective. His main goal was to instill fear and awe to suppress the movement.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. Although repressing the Congress was a broader goal of the British colonial administration, General Dyer's specific objective was to create a psychological impact on the satyagrahis.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. Imprisoning protesters was not General Dyer's primary objective. His aim was to instill a sense of terror and awe to deter future protests and suppress the independence movement.

Mnemonic: TACT: Terror and Awe, Creating Terror

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