Rowlatt Act

Question 1

During the war (1915) what was India placed under?

Answer 1

The Defence of India Act.

Question 2

What was the Defence of India Act measure used for?

Answer 2

It was intended to put a stop to revolutionary and Anti-War activities.

Question 3

What was impermissible under the Defence of India Act?

Answer 3

Protesting.

Question 4

What did the Defence of India act give the Viceroy (If not named mark as 2) the ability to do?

Answer 4

The power to issue regulations in order to appropriately defend India.

Question 5

In early 1919, what was expected of Britain from India?

Answer 5

For the Defence of India act to be revoked. Indeed we know that Britain had other ideas.

Question 6

In what year did the Government of India appoint S.T. Rowlatt?

Answer 6

1917

Question 7

What was Rowlatt’s ethnicity?

Answer 7

Scottish.

Question 8

What 3 states were isolated as centres of revolutionary acts?

Answer 8

Bengal,
Punjab,
Bombay.

Question 9

When was the investigation finalised and reported?

Answer 9

July 1918.

Question 10

What was recommended by Rowlatt that should be continued?

Answer 10

Old war time controlling in order to control the situation.

Question 11

What did old war time tactics include?

Answer 11

Imprisonment without trial,
Trial without a jury present,
House arrest + Censorship.

Question 12

What was Edwin Montague’s opinion on the Rowlatt Acts?

Answer 12

He sanctioned them with EXTREME reluctance.
Although he understood the dangers of rebellion, he notified the Viceroy ( Chelmsford )that he felt it was extremely disrespectful.

Question 13

Out of the 22 Indian members of the Indian Legislative Council, How many opposed?

Answer 13

Every single one of them. They were out-voted by appointed officials.

Question 14

When was the Rowlatt Acts officially created as a Law?

Answer 14

March 1919.

Question 15

Who was the Muslim League Leader?

Answer 15

Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Question 16

Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his colleagues felt outraged, and as a result, what did they do?

Answer 16

They collectively resigned from council.

Question 17

After resigning, What did Muhammad Ali Jinnah do?

Answer 17

Furiously, He wrote a letter to Chelmsford (Viceroy)

Question 18

What did the letter accuse the Viceroy Of?

Answer 18

He accused the administration of the Raj of being neither responsible for the people of India nor in touch with public opinion.

Question 19

What has the Act exposed the Raj of being?

Answer 19

Very duplicitous. Supporting the Montagu declaration on one hand, But on the other hand inviting back repression.

Question 20

What is a Hartal?

Answer 20

A political protest

Question 21

Where was opposition to the Rowlatt acts most fierce?

Answer 21

In the punjab, Amritsar. ( The administrative capital )

Question 22

What were the dates of the 2 important Hartals?

Answer 22

30th of March and the 6th of April 1919.

Question 23

What was impressive about the hartals?

Answer 23

it was a fantastic display of Muslim-Hindu solidarity with no serious unrest.

Question 24

What triggered rioting?

Answer 24

The arrest of Dr Pal and Dr Kitchlew. The two organisers.

Question 25

What were the riots initially for? And what did it escalate to?

Answer 25

Initially, The riots were for the 2 organisers Kitchlew and Pal, but then it escalated to Anti-Raj protests.

Question 26

What happened during these riots?

Answer 26

Banks were stormed and shattered,
Buildings set ablaze,
3 Europeans killed.

Question 27

What was the name of the Mission Doctor?

Answer 27

Marcia Sherwood.

Question 28

What happened to the Mission Doctor (M.S)

Answer 28

She was brutally beaten and saved by a couple hindus from certain death.

Question 29

What was the Governor’s (O’Dwyer) opinion and reaction on the matter?

Answer 29

He thought this was a well executed tactic to overthrow the Raj, so he sent out the troops.