Under the Vernacular Press Act, proceedings were instituted against the newspapers Bharat Mihir and Som Prakash. The Amrita Bazar Patrika, however, was not subjected to any legal action. The correct answer is option 'A' - 1 and 2 only.

Explanation:
The Vernacular Press Act was enacted by the British colonial government in India in 1878. It aimed to control and regulate the vernacular press, which was seen as a powerful tool for spreading nationalist ideas and anti-British sentiments.

1. Bharat Mihir:
Bharat Mihir was a vernacular newspaper published in Hindi. It was known for its nationalist and anti-British stance. The newspaper actively criticized the British government's policies and advocated for Indian independence. As a result, proceedings were instituted against Bharat Mihir under the Vernacular Press Act.

2. Som Prakash:
Som Prakash was another vernacular newspaper published in Bengali. It was also known for its nationalist views and opposition to British rule. The newspaper played a significant role in mobilizing public opinion against the British government. Consequently, proceedings were instituted against Som Prakash under the Vernacular Press Act.

3. Amrita Bazar Patrika:
Amrita Bazar Patrika, on the other hand, was not subjected to any legal action under the Vernacular Press Act. It was a prominent English-language newspaper published in Calcutta (now Kolkata). The newspaper played a significant role in the nationalist movement and was known for its anti-British stance. However, since the Vernacular Press Act specifically targeted vernacular newspapers published in regional languages, Amrita Bazar Patrika, being an English-language newspaper, was exempted from its provisions.

In summary, while Bharat Mihir and Som Prakash faced legal action under the Vernacular Press Act due to their nationalist and anti-British views, Amrita Bazar Patrika, being an English-language newspaper, was not subjected to any such proceedings.