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 _________ (1878 - 80). 

The correct answer is Anglo-Afghan War.Key Points

• Lord Lytton was the Viceroy of India from 1876 to 1880.
• The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was enacted to curb the freedom of the Indian-language press.
• The act was a response to the growing criticism of British policies, especially during the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880).
• The act allowed the government to confiscate the printing press, paper, and other materials of a newspaper if it published seditious material.
• Amrita Bazar Patrika, this prominent Bengali newspaper converted itself into an English-language publication overnight to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the Vernacular Press Act.
• Hindoo Patriot, another significant newspaper, the Hindoo Patriot, chose to stop its operations rather than comply with the act’s stringent regulations.

Additional InformationAnglo-Afghan Wars

• The Anglo-Afghan Wars were a series of three conflicts between the British Empire and Afghanistan, primarily driven by British concerns over Russian influence in Central Asia.
• First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-1842), Part of the Great Game between Britain and Russia for influence in Central Asia.
• The British invaded Afghanistan to install Shah Shujah Durrani on the throne, replacing Dost Mohammad Khan.
• Initial success was followed by a disastrous retreat from Kabul in 1842, where most of the British force was annihilated.
• The British withdrew, and Dost Mohammad Khan was restored to power.
• Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), Triggered by British fears of Russian influence in Afghanistan.
• The British invaded again, leading to significant battles such as the Battle of Kandahar.
• The Treaty of Gandamak was signed, giving the British control over Afghanistan’s foreign affairs.
• The British installed Abdur Rahman Khan as the Amir of Afghanistan, ensuring a pro-British ruler.
• Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919), Occurred in the aftermath of World War I, with Afghanistan seeking full independence.
• The conflict was short but intense, leading to the Treaty of Rawalpindi.
• Afghanistan gained full independence from British control over its foreign affairs

Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767-1799)

• First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-1769): Hyder Ali of Mysore fought against the British East India Company, almost capturing Madras. The war ended with the Treaty of Madras.
• Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784): Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan fought against the British, resulting in the Treaty of Mangalore.
• Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792): Tipu Sultan allied with France and fought against the British, leading to the Treaty of Seringapatam.
• Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799): Tipu Sultan was defeated and killed, leading to the fall of Mysore and British control over the region.

Anglo-French Wars

• The Anglo-French conflicts in India during the mid-18th century are known as the Carnatic Wars.
• These wars were part of the larger struggle between Britain and France for dominance in India.
• First Carnatic War (1744-1748) was an extension of the War of the Austrian Succession in Europe.
• The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) ended the war, returning Madras to the British in exchange for Cape Breton Island in North America.
• Second Carnatic War (1749-1754) was triggered by a succession dispute in the Carnatic region and the Deccan.
• The British emerged victorious, establishing their influence over the Carnatic region.
• Third Carnatic War (1758-1763) was part of the global Seven Years’ War.
• Battle of Wandiwash (1760), where the British decisively defeated the French.
• The Treaty of Paris (1763) ended the war, with the French ceding most of their territories in India to the British.