What authorization was given to the Government according to Rowlatt Act?

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The Rowlatt Act of 1919 authorized the British government to arrest and imprison any person suspected of seditious or terrorist activities.
This detention could last for up to two years without a formal trial, effectively suspending the right of habeas corpus.
It was a legislative act designed to extend the repressive emergency measures of the Defence of India Act 1915 into the post-World War I period to crush the nationalist movement.

Option A: Charging high prices was related to economic policies, inflation, and taxation by the British, not the specific political and judicial powers granted by the Rowlatt Act.
Option B: The Act's purpose was the opposite; it was designed to suppress nationalist activities and punish those who were working against the British government, not those who were helping it.
Option C: The Rowlatt Act was passed in March 1919, which was after World War I had already ended in November 1918. Therefore, it was not related to providing weapons for the war.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Provisions of the Rowlatt Act (1919) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The Rowlatt Act is a critical event in the Indian independence movement as it marked a shift towards mass-based politics led by Mahatma Gandhi.
It directly led to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, a turning point that exposed the brutal nature of British rule and galvanized the freedom struggle across the nation.
The Act's suspension of basic civil liberties like trial by jury is a key historical example used in discussions of human rights and the importance of constitutional safeguards like Article 22 of the Indian Constitution (Protection against arrest and detention).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the 'Rowlatt Act'.
Recall the historical context: this Act was passed in 1919, immediately after World War I.
Focus on the purpose of the Act. It was known as a 'black act' because it was repressive and aimed at curbing political activities.
Evaluate each option based on this purpose. The Act was about political control, not economics (prices) or wartime logistics (weapons).
Eliminate options that are factually or chronologically incorrect. The war had ended, so providing weapons is illogical.
Select the option that describes the power to detain individuals without a proper trial, which was the central and most controversial feature of the Rowlatt Act.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Handbook of Forensic Nursing Suresh Sharma pp. 51-53, 52-54

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.