General Dyer, responsible for ordering the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, was later shot dead in London by which Indian revolutionary?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Udham Singh

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 in Amritsar, where British troops fired on an unarmed gathering, is one of the darkest episodes of colonial rule in India. The officer responsible for ordering the firing was Brigadier General Reginald Dyer. Years later, an Indian revolutionary avenged the massacre by assassinating Michael O Dwyer, who had supported Dyer actions, in London. Many exam questions combine these figures, so this question tests whether you can correctly identify the revolutionary associated with that assassination.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The incident referred to is the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919.
  • The name General Dyer is mentioned as responsible for the firing.
  • The options list Indian nationalist and revolutionary figures such as Hasrat Mohani, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Udham Singh, and Jatin Das.
  • You must choose who shot dead the British official connected with the massacre in London.


Concept / Approach:
The assassination that avenged Jallianwala Bagh is historically associated with Udham Singh, who killed Michael O Dwyer in London in 1940. O Dwyer had been Lieutenant Governor of Punjab at the time of the massacre and had strongly supported Dyer actions. While the question names General Dyer, in many simplified exam formulations Udham Singh is still treated as the avenger of the massacre as a whole. The other figures listed are important freedom fighters but are not linked to this London assassination.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on 13 April 1919 under the command of General Dyer. Step 2: Remember that Michael O Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, endorsed the massacre and was widely blamed for supporting Dyer. Step 3: In 1940, in Caxton Hall, London, Udham Singh assassinated Michael O Dwyer as an act of revenge for Jallianwala Bagh. Step 4: Many exam summaries state that Udham Singh avenged Jallianwala Bagh by this act, connecting his name strongly with the massacre. Step 5: Therefore, from the given options, Udham Singh is the correct revolutionary to select.


Verification / Alternative check:
History texts on revolutionary movements in the Indian freedom struggle clearly state that Udham Singh travelled to England and assassinated Michael O Dwyer in 1940. They also mention that he regarded this act as justice for the victims of Jallianwala Bagh. Hasrat Mohani was a poet and freedom fighter, Savarkar was a nationalist ideologue and revolutionary, and Jatin Das was associated with the Lahore Conspiracy Case and hunger strike, but none of them are connected with this particular assassination in London.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Hasrat Mohani: He was a leader of the freedom movement and a poet but did not carry out the London assassination related to Jallianwala Bagh.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar: He was a revolutionary leader and writer but is not associated with shooting any British official in London for this incident.
Jatin Das: He is remembered for his hunger strike and death in jail during the Lahore Conspiracy Case, not for involvement in London based actions.


Common Pitfalls:
Some learners mistakenly think that General Dyer himself was the target of Udham Singh action, whereas it was actually Michael O Dwyer. However, exam questions often mention Dyer name while expecting Udham Singh as the answer because the act was still seen as revenge for Jallianwala Bagh. To avoid confusion, remember that Udham Singh is the key revolutionary associated with avenging the massacre in London.


Final Answer:
The revolutionary who shot dead a British official in London as revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was Udham Singh.

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