The Vernacular Press Act of 1878, adopted by Lord Lytton was intended to
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option B —
Restrain vernacular newspapers
The Vernacular Press Act (VPA) of 1878 is one of the most repressive pieces of legislation in British Indian history. It was specifically designed to curtail the freedom of the Indian-language (vernacular) press, which had become increasingly critical of Lord Lytton’s policies.
Key Features of the Act
The "Gagging Act": It was nicknamed the "Gagging Act" because it gave the government extensive powers to censor reports and editorials in vernacular languages.
Discrimination: Crucially, the act did not apply to English-language newspapers, only to those published in Indian languages.
Magisterial Power: District Magistrates could force publishers to enter into a bond promising not to publish anything that might incite "disaffection" against the government. If the bond was violated, the printing press could be confiscated.
No Right to Appeal: The decision of the Magistrate was final, and no appeal could be made in a court of law.
Notable Impact
The Amrita Bazar Patrika, which was a bilingual journal at the time, famously turned into an English-only newspaper overnight to escape the restrictions of the Act.
The Act was eventually repealed by Lord Ripon in 1882, which earned him great popularity among Indians.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
