14. ROWLATT ACT, 1919

Formal name: Anarchical and Revolutionary Crimes Act, 1919. Based on recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee headed by Sir Sidney Rowlatt.

Key Provisions

• Empowered the government to imprison/detain any person without trial for a maximum of 2 years (preventive detention).
• Allowed trial of "political" cases (revolutionary/anarchical crimes) without juries and in-camera (secret trials).
• Severely curtailed civil liberties and press freedom; suspended the right of habeas corpus.
• Called derisively "Black Act" or "No Dalil, No Vakil, No Appeal" Act by Indians.

Significance/Impact

• Passed despite unanimous opposition from all Indian members of the Central Legislative Council.
• Triggered nationwide protests; Mahatma Gandhi launched the Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919) — his first all-India movement.
• Led directly to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (13 April 1919, Amritsar) under General Dyer.
• Marked the beginning of Gandhian mass mobilization politics in India.

Key Facts

• Year: 1919; Committee: Sidney Rowlatt
• Also called: Black Act
• Triggered: Rowlatt Satyagraha and (indirectly) Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

PART D: OTHER KEY LEGISLATIVE/REFORM ACTS (LATE 19TH CENTURY)