UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies

Question 55: History and Culture

During the Indian Freedom Struggle, why did Rowlatt Act arouse popular indignation?

aIt curtailed the freedom of religion

bIt suppressed the Indian traditional education

cIt authorized the government to imprison people without trial

dIt curbed the trade union activities

AnswerThe answer is (c).

The Rowlatt Act of 1919 let the government arrest and detain suspects without trial, and try political cases before special courts without a jury or the right of appeal. Indians saw this as a denial of basic civil liberties, summed up in the slogan 'no vakil, no appeal, no daleel'. It provoked the Rowlatt Satyagraha and, in April 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) The Act did not touch freedom of religion.
(b) The Act had nothing to do with education.
(c) Right: it allowed imprisonment without trial.
(d) The Act was about political crime, not trade unions.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.