Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

Total Questions: 39

1. During the Indian Freedom Struggle, why did the Rowalt Act arouse popular indignation? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2009]

Correct Answer: (c) It authorized the Government to imprison people without trial
Solution:During the viceroyalty of Lord Chelmsford, a sedition committee was appointed by the Government in 1917 with Justice Rowlatt, which made certain recommendations to curb sedition activity in India.

The Rowlatt Act, 1919, gave unbridled powers to the Government to arrest and imprison suspects without trial. The Act caused a wave of anger among all sections of society. A well-known description of the bill at that time was: No Vakil, No Appeal, No Daleel, which means No Lawyer, No Appeal, No Plea.

2. The Rowlatt Act was passed to: [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (b) Curtail the National and Revolutionary Activities
Solution:During the viceroyalty of Lord Chelmsford, a sedition committee was appointed by the Government in 1917 with Justice Rowlatt, which made certain recommendations to curb sedition activity in India.

The Rowlatt Act, 1919, gave unbridled powers to the Government to arrest and imprison suspects without trial. The Act caused a wave of anger among all sections of society. A well-known description of the bill at that time was: No Vakil, No Appeal, No Daleel, which means No Lawyer, No Appeal, No Plea.

3. When was the Rowlatt Act passed? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993, 48th to 52nd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (b) 1919
Solution:During the viceroyalty of Lord Chelmsford, a sedition committee was appointed by the Government in 1917 with Justice Rowlatt, which made certain recommendations to curb sedition activity in India.

The Rowlatt Act, 1919, gave unbridled powers to the Government to arrest and imprison suspects without trial. The Act caused a wave of anger among all sections of society. A well-known description of the bill at that time was: No Vakil, No Appeal, No Daleel, which means No Lawyer, No Appeal, No Plea.

4. The Rowlatt Act aimed at: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (b) Imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial
Solution:During the viceroyalty of Lord Chelmsford, a sedition committee was appointed by the Government in 1917 with Justice Rowlatt, which made certain recommendations to curb sedition activity in India.

The Rowlatt Act, 1919, gave unbridled powers to the Government to arrest and imprison suspects without trial. The Act caused a wave of anger among all sections of society. A well-known description of the bill at that time was: No Vakil, No Appeal, No Daleel, which means No Lawyer, No Appeal, No Plea.

5. Consider the following statements about the Rowlatt Satyagraha: [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

  1. The Rowlatt Satyagraha turned out to be the first all-India struggle against the British government, although it was largely restricted to cities.
  2. The Rowlatt Act curbed fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression and strengthened police powers.

Choose the right option given below:

Correct Answer: (a) Both the statements (1) and (2) are correct
Solution:The Rowlatt Act was passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919. The act was an effective plan to suppress the increasing revolutionary activities in the country. It curbed fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression and put severe restrictions on the press.

The act strengthened police powers so much that anybody could be arrested without any trial against them. In response, Gandhiji started the Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919), which was restricted to cities but turned out to be the first all-India struggle against the British government.

6. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

  1. The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the 'Sedition Committee.'
  2. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.
  3. Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Solution:Rowlatt Act also  known as black Act (termed by Gandhiji) was a legislative Act passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919. The Act allowed the British Government to arrest any Indian without any trial or warrant.

The Act was based on Sedition Committee. In Rewalatt Sayagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilized the Home Rule League. Simon Commission reached India on February 03, 1928 which resulted in strikes in major cities and town and it was welcome with the popular slogan 'Simon ! Go Back'

7. Who was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (c) Lord Chelmsford
Solution:Lord Chelmsford (1916-1921) was the Viceroy of India when was passed? The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India's governance. It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time.

The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown.

The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations.

8. In whose viceroyalty the 'Rowlatt Act' was passed? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (c) Lord Chelmsford
Solution:Lord Chelmsford (1916-1921) was the Viceroy of India when was passed? The Government of India Act 1919 was a legislative framework designed to reform British India's governance.

It was based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Report, which was drafted by Edwin Montagu, Secretary of State for India, and Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India at the time. The primary goal of the Act was to introduce a more responsible form of government in India by increasing Indian participation in the administrative machinery while retaining ultimate authority with the British Crown.

The Act established a dual governance structure (dyarchy) at the provincial level and a more inclusive legislative framework, but with some limitations.

9. Indian National Congress opposed the Rowlatt Act because it aimed: [41st B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1996]

Correct Answer: (a) To limit individual liberty
Solution:In March, 1919, the Imperial Legislative Council of British India passed the Rowlatt Act. The Imperial Legislative Council passed this law so they could try certain cases without a jury decision and detain people without fair and proper trial. Mostly the Indian public disliked this Act because it aimed to limit individual liberty.

10. The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crime Act (1919) was popularly known as the: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]

Correct Answer: (a) Rowlatt Act
Solution:The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crime Act was popularly known as the Rowlatt Act. The Act was passed on the recommendations of a Committee under the chairmanship of Justice Sidney Rowlatt.