Rowlatt act and Jallianwala Bagh MCQs with Explanations
About the Topic: Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh is one of the most important topics of Modern Indian History. It covers the Rowlatt Act of 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, nationwide protests and their impact on India's freedom movement. Practice MCQ Questions with answers and explanations.
During the Indian Freedom Struggle, why did the Rowlatt Act arouse popular indignation?
Correct Answer:
(C) It authorized the Government to imprison people without trial.
During the viceroyalty of Lord Chelmsford, a sedition committee was appointed by the Government in 1917 with Justice Rowlatt, which made certain recommendations to curb sedition activity in India. The Rowlatt Act, 1919, gave unbridled powers to the Government to arrest and imprison suspects without trial. The Act caused a wave of anger among all sections of the society. A well-known description of the bill at that time was: No Daleel, No Vakil, no appeal which means No plea, No lawyer, No appeal.
Ques: 2
With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct?
The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the ‘Sedition Committee.’
In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.
Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Correct Answer:
(B) 1 and 2 only
Rowlatt Act also known as black Act (termed by Gandhiji) was a legislative Act passed by the Imperial Legislative Council in 1919. The Act allowed the British Government to arrest any Indian without any trial or warrant. The Act was based on Sedition Committee. In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League. Simon Commission reached India on February 03, 1928 which resulted in strikes in major cities and towns and it was welcomed with the popular slogan ‘Go Back, Simon’.
Ques: 3
Which important event immediately preceded Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
Correct Answer:
(B) Enactment of Rowlatt Act
Rowlatt Act enacted in March, 1919. In protest to this Act Gandhi had organized a country-wide strike on April 06, 1919. General Dyer orchestrated the brutal killing on April 13, 1919 at Jallianwala Bagh. Non-Cooperation Movement took place in 1920, Communal Award in 1932 and Simon Commission came to India in 1928.
Ques: 4
The massacre of the crowd at Jallianwala Bag at Amritsar took place on :
Correct Answer:
(C) April 13, 1919
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre or Amritsar massacre was an important incident in the history of Indian Freedom Movement during the British rule. On April 13, 1919 the infamous Jallianwalla Bagh incident took place. On that day a large crowd gathered in the enclosed ground of Jallianwalla Bagh to protest against the Government’s new repressive measures and to protest against the arrest of two famous leaders of Punjab Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr. Satyapal. Others had come to attend the annual Baisakhi fair. Being outside from the city, many villagers were unaware of the martial law that had been imposed. Dyer entered the area, blocked the exit points, and opened fire on the crowd, killing thousands of people.
Ques: 5
The person who returned his honour to the Indian Government on May 30, 1919 was –
Correct Answer:
(D)
Rabindranath Tagore
After the incident of Jallianwala Bagh (April 13, 1919), Rabindranath Tagore returned his honour of ‘Knighthood’ to Indian Government on May 31, 1919. In a letter to the Governor-General, he wrote: “The time has come when badges of honour make our shame glaring in their incongruous context of humiliation and I for my part wish to stand shorn of all special distinctions by the side of those of my countrymen who, for their so-called insignificance, are liable to suffer degradations not fit for human beings”.
Ques: 6
Who resigned from the membership of Viceroy’s Executive Council as a protest against Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
Correct Answer:
(C) Shankaran Nair
Shankaran Nair resigned from the viceroy's Executive Council as a protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Ques: 7
Select the correct sequence of the following events by using the codes given below:
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Dr. Satyapal’s incarceration
Amritsar Congress Session, 1919
Code :
Correct Answer:
(A) 2, 1, 3
Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr. Satyapal were popular leaders who were arrested by Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar on April 9, 1919. Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place on 13 April, 1919 and the Amritsar Session of the Congress was held in December, 1919.
Ques: 8
The Hunter Committee was appointed after the:
Correct Answer:
(B) Jalianwalla Bagh massacre
The Government established a Disorders Inquiry Committee headed by Lord William Hunter, a Senator of College of Justice of Scotland. The Committee had 7 members 4 British and 3 Indians. It was set up to investigate the Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy. Before the Committee could publish its report, Congress put forward its view. This view criticized Dyer’s act as inhuman and also said that there was no justification in the introduction of the martial law in Punjab. But the Hunter Report, as expected, saw the things differently. Although it condemned most of the decisions taken by General Dyer, it agreed with the imposition of the martial law in Punjab. It also criticized the method of Satyagraha adopted by Gandhi and held Gandhi partially responsible for “deteriorated” law and order situation. As a result, Dyer was sent to England relieved of his command. The British Government called General Dyer ‘Lion of British Empire’ and gave ‘Sword of Honour’ for his service.
Ques: 9
Who from the following killed Michael O' Dwyer responsible for Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
Correct Answer:
(C) Udham Singh
Ques: 10
Who was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed?
Correct Answer:
(B) Lord Chelmsford
Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919. The Rowlatt Act, also known as the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, authorized the government to imprison individuals without trial.
Ques: 11
Which one of the following aroused a wave of popular indignation that led to the massacre by the British a Jallianwala Bagh?
Correct Answer:
(C) The Rowlatt Act
The Government appointed a commission headed by Justice Sydney Rowlatt to investigate the nature of discontent and the cause of revolutionary activities. On the recommendation of the commission, Rowlatt Act was passed in March, 1919. The Act empowered the Government to arrest any person without assigning any reason or ground for the arrest; search any place without a warrant and imprison any person without a trial. The Rowlatt Act raised a storm of protests and a wave of popular indignation throughout the country. The Press and the Congress called it the ‘Black Act.’ There were strikes and public meetings at various places throughout the country. At Amritsar, the arrest of Gandhiji and two prominent local leaders Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlu and Dr. Satyapal aroused a wave of protests. On April 13, 1919 a peaceful and unarmed protest rally was held in the open, but enclosed ground called Jallianwala Bagh. While the meeting was in progress, a British officer General Dwyer along with his troops entered the park. Without any warning or asking the people to disperse, General Dwyer and his troops started firing at them. The park had a small exit gate; it too, was closed. In just ten minutes, about a thousand persons were killed, and two thousand wounded. The firing stopped only after ammunition had been exhausted.