CBSE 2025 · Region 1 · Set 1 · Q34 · 4 marks

Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Print and Censorship The power of the printed word is most often seen in the way governments seek to regulate and suppress print. The colonial government kept continuous track of all books and newspapers published in India and passed numerous laws to control the press. During the First World War, under the Defence of India Rules, $\displaystyle 22$ newspapers had to furnish securities. Of these, $\displaystyle 18$ shut down rather than comply with government orders. The Sedition Committee Report under Rowlatt in $\displaystyle 1919$ further strengthened controls that led to imposition of penalties on various newspapers. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Defence of India Act was passed, allowing censoring of reports of war-related topics. All reports about the Quit India movement came under its purview. In August $\displaystyle 1942$, about $\displaystyle 90$ newspapers were suppressed. ($\displaystyle 34.1$) Explain the meaning of 'censor'. ($\displaystyle 34.2$) Why did the colonial administration keep an eye on books and newspapers ? ($\displaystyle 34.3$) Why did Gandhiji start a nationwide Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act ? Explain any two reasons.

CBSE Class 10 Social Science past-paper question from the 2025board exam, with the answer as CBSE’s own marking scheme gives it. Where our answers come from.