Question

Why did the British government pass the vernacular press act in 1878? what were it's consequences?

Answer 1

Proposed by Lord Lytton, then viceroy of India (governed 1876–80), the act was intended to prevent the vernacular press from expressing criticism of British policies—notably, the opposition that had grown with the outset of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80).

Answer 2

In India vernacular press act was passed(Act IX of 1878) to prevent the freedom of the Indian press from expressing their criticism towards the British polices—notably, After the Anglo-Afghan war of 1878–80, a large opposition was raised up.

This act excluded english publications as it was meant to control seditious writing in 'publications in Oriental languages' everywhere in the country, except for the South.

(i) Nationalists in India used print media to publish the

evil affects of British rule and spread new ideas.

(ii) As vernacular newspapers became assertively

nationalist, the colonial government decided to take strong measures