The Chapekar brothers strike in Poona

Anger at harsh plague measures led to one of the first revolutionary acts.

Key points for UPSC

• Plague measures in Poona, such as forced searches of homes, caused great anger.
• On 22 June 1897 Damodar and Balkrishna Chapekar shot W. C. Rand, the plague commissioner, and Lt Ayerst.
• The brothers were hanged; Tilak was jailed in 1897 for articles in Kesari.

Test yourself

1. 1. Which officer did the Chapekar brothers shoot?

   • (a) W. C. Rand
   • (b) Kingsford
   • (c) J. P. Saunders
   • (d) Michael O'Dwyer
   Show answer

   (a) W. C. Rand. Rand was the plague commissioner of Poona.

2. 2. What was the main grievance behind the act?

   • (a) Harsh plague control measures
   • (b) The salt tax
   • (c) The partition of Bengal
   • (d) The Rowlatt Act
   Show answer

   (a) Harsh plague control measures. Forced searches and segregation during the plague angered people.

3. 3. The Chapekar brothers belonged to:

   • (a) Poona
   • (b) Calcutta
   • (c) Lahore
   • (d) Madras
   Show answer

   (a) Poona. They acted in Poona in 1897.