Rowlatt Acts, (February 1919), legislation passed by the Imperial Legislative Council, the legislature of British India. The acts allowed certain political cases to be tried without juries and permitted internment of suspects without trial.

The Rowlatt Act was passed on March 18, 1919, by the Imperial Legislative Council in British India.

- Background:
The Rowlatt Act was named after the recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee, which was formed in 1918 to investigate revolutionary activities in India during World War I. The British government was alarmed by the rise of revolutionary movements and wanted to suppress any form of dissent.

- Provisions of the Act:
The Rowlatt Act gave the British authorities the power to arrest and detain any person suspected of sedition without trial. It also restricted the freedom of the press and allowed for the censorship of publications.

- Opposition and Protests:
The passage of the Rowlatt Act led to widespread protests and demonstrations across India. Mahatma Gandhi called for a nationwide non-cooperation movement to oppose the Act. The protests were met with brutal repression by the British authorities, leading to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar on April 13, 1919.

- Impact:
The Rowlatt Act sparked a wave of anger and resentment among the Indian population and further fueled the independence movement. It highlighted the oppressive nature of British colonial rule and strengthened the resolve of Indians to fight for self-rule.

- Repeal:
The Rowlatt Act was eventually repealed in 1922 by the British government in response to mounting pressure from Indian leaders and the international community. However, the scars of the Act remained, and it served as a stark reminder of the injustices of colonial rule in India.