Rowlatt Act facts for kids

The Rowlatt Act was a special law made in 1919 by the British government in British India. People also called it the Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act of 1919. This law gave the government a lot of power. It allowed them to arrest people and put them in jail without a proper trial. It also let them stop newspapers from sharing news. Many people in India called this law the Black Act because they felt it was very unfair. People across India protested against this law. Luckily, a very important Indian leader named Mahatma Gandhi helped to stop this act.

What Was the Rowlatt Act?

The Rowlatt Act was a strict law passed in 1919. It was named after a British judge, Sir Sidney Rowlatt. This law was made to give the British government more control over people in India. It was created after World War I, when the British government was worried about protests and people wanting more freedom.

Why Was This Law Created?

After World War I, there was a lot of unrest in India. Many Indians wanted more self-rule and independence from British control. The British government felt that some groups were planning to cause trouble. To stop these activities, they decided to pass a very tough law. They believed this law would help them keep peace and order.

What Did the Law Allow?

The Rowlatt Act gave the government some very strong powers. Here are some of the main things it allowed:

• Arrest Without Trial: The government could arrest anyone they suspected of being involved in protests or revolutionary activities. They could then keep these people in prison for up to two years without a trial. This meant people could be jailed without proving they did anything wrong.
• Control Over News: The law also gave the government the power to control newspapers and stop them from printing news they didn't like. This made it hard for people to share their opinions or learn about protests.
• Secret Trials: If a trial did happen, it could be held in secret. There would be no jury, and the people accused could not appeal the decision.

How Did People React?

Indians were very angry about the Rowlatt Act. They felt it took away their basic rights and was very unfair. They called it the Black Act because it seemed to treat them like criminals without reason.

• Widespread Protests: People all over India started protesting. There were strikes, demonstrations, and meetings. Many people refused to obey the law.
• Gandhi's Leadership: Mahatma Gandhi was a key leader in these protests. He believed in non-violent resistance, which means protesting peacefully without using force. He called for a nationwide strike, known as a hartal, where people would stop working and close their shops to show their disapproval.

Who Helped Stop the Act?

Mahatma Gandhi played a very important role in fighting against the Rowlatt Act. He organized the first nationwide protest in India. His call for a hartal on April 6, 1919, led to huge demonstrations across the country. Even though the protests were meant to be peaceful, sometimes they led to violence. The British government reacted very harshly to these protests.

What Happened Next?

The protests against the Rowlatt Act were very strong. Although the act was passed, the huge public outcry and the non-violent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi showed the British government that Indians would not accept such unfair laws. The widespread opposition eventually led to the act being stopped a few years later. This event was a big step in India's fight for independence.