Gandhiji entered Indian national movement with his rich experience and knowledge of regional struggle in various parts of the country. His protest against the Rowlatt Actencated by the British paved the way for it.

In the pretext of preventing extremist activities, the British Parliament passed the Rowlatt Act in 1919 limiting the civil rights. The committee which recommended this Act was led by Sir Sydney Rowlatt. Hence, the act was known as Rowlatt Act. As per this act any person could brarrested and imprisoned without trial.

When the protests against this Act failed. Gandhiji suggested starting Sathygraha Vigorously reacting to his proposal, people in various part of the country went to the streets anosiarteo demonstration and strikes. But the government resorted to oppressive measures towards the public protest.

The worst example of the British approach to public protest was the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh in 1919. The masscare at Jalianwala Bagh intensified the protests at the natio nal level. Gandhiji said: If the battle of Plassey laid the foundation for the British rule, Jallianwala Bagh shook the foundation.