The dissatisfaction against British rule was intensified in the 1870s and 1880s.

1. The Arms Act was passed in 1878, which disallowed Indians from having arms.

2. Same year the Vernacular Press Act was also enacted to silence the critics of the government.

• The Act allowed the government to confiscate the assets of newspapers including their printing presses if the newspapers published anything “objectionable”.

3. In 1883, there was a furore over the attempt by the government to introduce the Ilbert Bill.

• The bill provided for the trial of British or European persons by Indians, and sought equality between British and Indian judges in the country.
• But the British (white) forced the government to withdraw the bill. Indians burst into anger. This event highlighted the whim of the British against Indians.