To oppose the Rowlatt Act and organise non-violent resistance, Mahatma Gandhi formed the Satyagraha Sabha in which Indian city?

Introduction / Context:
The Rowlatt Act of 1919, which extended wartime emergency powers and allowed detention without trial, provoked widespread anger in India. Mahatma Gandhi responded by organising a nationwide movement of non violent resistance using his method of satyagraha. As part of this response, he formed a specific organisation called the Satyagraha Sabha to coordinate opposition to the Act. This question checks whether you can correctly recall the city where this Sabha was formed, linking constitutional developments with the early phase of Gandhian mass politics.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The organisation mentioned is the Satyagraha Sabha. - The immediate context is opposition to the Rowlatt Act. - Four locations are given: Bombay, Gujarat, Calcutta and Pune. - We assume the standard historical account of Gandhi's activities in early 1919.

Concept / Approach:
In February 1919, Mahatma Gandhi set up the Satyagraha Sabha in Bombay (now Mumbai) as the central body to organise protests and non cooperation against the Rowlatt Act. Bombay was at that time a major centre of nationalist activity and provided a base from which Gandhi could appeal to Indians across different regions. Although Gandhi had strong connections with Gujarat, and both Calcutta and Pune were important nationalist hubs, the specific formation of the Satyagraha Sabha took place in Bombay, which is the detail that exams often test.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Fix the event in time: the Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919, and Gandhi's opposition to it marked the beginning of his mass political campaigns. Step 2: Recall that Gandhi decided to organise a countrywide satyagraha against this Act, and for that purpose he formed an organisation called the Satyagraha Sabha. Step 3: Remember that this Sabha was founded in Bombay, which at that time was a major urban and commercial centre with a strong nationalist presence. Step 4: Recognise that “Gujarat” as an option is too broad and refers to Gandhi's home region rather than a specific city of formation. Step 5: Note that Calcutta and Pune were significant nationalist centres, but standard history texts clearly state the formation of the Satyagraha Sabha in Bombay. Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is Bombay.

Verification / Alternative check:
Modern Indian history books usually describe the sequence: Rowlatt Act passed – Gandhi calls for hartals – Satyagraha Sabha formed in Bombay – nationwide agitation leading eventually to tragic events like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Many exam guides explicitly mention “Satyagraha Sabha (Bombay, 1919)” in their quick revision tables. If you associate the early Rowlatt protest phase with Bombay and the later Non Cooperation Movement with a broader all India scope, the connection becomes easy to remember.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gujarat is wrong because, while it is Gandhi's home region, the Satyagraha Sabha was not formally established there as an organisation in 1919.

Calcutta is wrong; although it was a very important nationalist city, it is not cited as the birthplace of the Satyagraha Sabha in the context of the Rowlatt Satyagraha.

Pune is wrong because, even though western India had many nationalist activities, the specific organisational step of forming the Satyagraha Sabha took place in Bombay.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students see the word “Gandhi” and immediately pick “Gujarat” because of his deep personal connection to that region, forgetting that by 1919 he was operating on an all India platform from major urban hubs. Others may pick Calcutta or Pune simply because they are accustomed to seeing those names in nationalist history. To avoid such mistakes, remember the key phrase: “Rowlatt Act – Satyagraha Sabha – Bombay, 1919.” This simple chain will help you recall the correct location without hesitation.

Final Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi formed the Satyagraha Sabha in Bombay to organise resistance to the Rowlatt Act.