Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)

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

(a) It curtailed the freedom of religion
(b) It suppressed the traditional Indian education.
(c) It authorized the Government to imprison people without trial
(d) It curbed the trade union activities.

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]

(a) Bring about Agrarian Reforms
(b) Curtail the National and Revolutionary Activities
(c) Have a favourable 'Balance of Trade'
(d) Put Second World War criminals on trial

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]

(a) 1909
(b) 1919
(c) 1930
(d) 1942

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]

(a) Compulsory economic support to war efforts
(b) Imprisonment without trial and summary procedures for trial
(c) Suppression of the Khilafat Movement
(d) Imposition of restrictions on freedom of the press

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]

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

Choose the right option given below:

(a) Both the statements (1) and (2) are correct
(b) Only the statement (1) is correct
(c) Only the statement (2) is correct
(d) None of the above

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]

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

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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]

(a) Lord Irwin
(b) Lord Reading
(c) Lord Chelmsford
(d) Lord Wavell

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]

(a) Lord Harding II
(b) Lord Reading
(c) Lord Chelmsford
(d) Lord Minto II

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]

(a) To limit individual liberty
(b) To ban Indian National Congress
(c) To enlarge communal delegations
(d) To imprison national leaders charging them as traitors to the nation

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]

(a) Rowlatt Act
(b) Pitt’s India Act
(c) Indian Arms Act
(d) Ilbert Bill

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.