Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

The Rowlatt Act (1919) was controversial because it gave the government sweeping powers to detain political prisoners without trial for two years and to repress political activities. It was hurriedly passed through the Imperial Legislative Council despite the united opposition of all Indian members, making it an act of deliberate disregard for Indian opinion.

It provoked a far stronger reaction than ordinary emergency legislation because it was a peacetime law — the war had ended, yet colonial authorities sought to make wartime repressive powers permanent. Indians saw it as a direct attack on fundamental civil liberties, with no legal recourse available to the accused. This sense of injustice united nationalists, leading Gandhi to call a nationwide hartal on 6 April 1919.

Source: Chapter 2, Section 1.2 — The Rowlatt Act

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• The examiner awards marks for: (1) naming the specific provisions — detention without trial, repression of political activity; (2) noting it was passed despite Indian opposition; (3) explaining why it was worse than ordinary emergency law — it was a peacetime measure making wartime powers permanent, denying civil liberties with no legal remedy.
• Don't just describe the Act — the question asks you to analyse why the reaction was stronger, so the second paragraph is essential.
• Keep the answer focused; avoid narrating the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre unless directly asked.