Which of the following Acts gave the government enormous powers to repress political activities, and allowed detention of political prisoners without trial for two years?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Rowlatt Act, 1919.
Rowlatt Act, 1919, which granted the British government in India draconian powers to suppress political dissent.
Key Features:
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Allowed indefinite detention of suspects without trial for up to two years.
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Enabled arrests without warrant and secret trials, curtailing civil liberties.
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Sparked nationwide protests, leading to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (April 1919).
Other Options:
- India Contract Act, 1872 – A commercial law regulating contracts, unrelated to repression.
- Criminal Tribes Act, 1871 – Targeted nomadic communities, branding them as 'born criminals.'
- Indian Slavery Act, 1843 – A progressive legislation aimed at abolishing slavery in British India, marking a significant social reform during colonial rule.
The Rowlatt Act symbolized British authoritarianism, fueling India's freedom struggle.