Q1. [4]
Print and Censorship
The power of the printed word is most often seen in the way governments seek to regulate and suppress print. The colonial government kept continuous track of all books and newspapers published in India and passed numerous laws to control the press.
During the First World War, under the Defense of India Rules, 22 newspapers had to furnish securities. Of these, 18 shut down rather than comply with government orders. The Sedition Committee Report under Rowlatt in 1919 further strengthened controls that led to imposition of penalties on various newspapers. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Defense of India Act was passed, allowing censoring of reports of war-related topics. All reports about the Quit India Movement came under its purview. In August 1942, about 90 newspapers were suppressed.
Read the following source and answer the questions that follow :
- (34.1) What method did the colonial government employ to keep track of Indian newspapers ? [1]
- (34.2) How did the colonial government's laws affect the press ? [1]
- (34.3) Analyse the impact of 'Sedition Committee' on Newspapers. [2]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2024 32/2/1 Q34
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:59 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer
(34.1) The colonial government kept continuous track of all books and newspapers published in India to monitor their content and activities.
(34.2) The colonial government's laws severely restricted the press. Newspapers were forced to furnish securities, and many shut down rather than comply. Reports on sensitive topics like the Quit India Movement were censored.
(34.3) The Sedition Committee Report under Rowlatt in 1919 further strengthened government controls over the press. It led to the imposition of penalties on various newspapers that published content deemed seditious or anti-government. This created a climate of fear and repression, forcing newspapers to either self-censor or face heavy financial and legal consequences.
Source: The Print Culture and the Modern World, Section — Print and Censorship
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Explanation
- (34.1) is a direct 1-mark recall — one line from the passage is sufficient.
- (34.2) requires a brief 1-mark synthesis of the effects — mention securities, shutdowns, or censorship.
- (34.3) is 2 marks — examiners expect two distinct points: (i) strengthened controls and (ii) penalties on newspapers. Adding the consequence (fear/self-censorship) earns full marks. Always anchor answers to the passage; do not go beyond it.
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