Development Of Press During The British Rule

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Development Of Press, Railway, Press and Telegraph, Industries in British India

Development of Press:-

The first press in India was established by The Portuguese in 1550, first book was published by Portuguese missionaries (1557). The next was established by British in 1684.

James Augustus Hickey is considered as the “father of Indian press” as he started the first Indian newspaper from Calcutta, the ‘Bengal Gazette’ or the ‘Calcutta General Advertise’ in January 1780.

“The Bengal Gazette” newspaper is also sometimes known as Hickey’s Gazette. This paper attacked both Warren Hastings and Chief Justice E Impey. It criticized government policies and the Governor-General hence the paper was closed in just two years in 1782. But soon other news papers were started.

The first Indian to publish a newspaper was Gangadhar Bhattacharya who brought out the Bengal Gazette in English. In 1818 Digdarshan was started as the first Bengali weekly by Marshman from Srirampore. On December 4th 1821 Raja Ram Mohan Roy started Samvad Kaumudi and Persian weekly Mirat-ul-Akhbar in 1822

Indian Press under the British Rule

During the reign of the British Empire, there were several Acts passed as stringent curbs over the Indian Press.

Prior to the rumblings of the 1857 mutiny, the Press was fiercely involved in rallying the masses, and inevitably, the British government was increasingly becoming apprehensive about the Press’ freedom.

Through the newspapers, a nationalistic rebellion was slowly being pieced together through words and symbols.

The circulation of papers during the early period never exceeded a hundred or two hundreds. These journals usually aimed to cater to the intellectual entertainment of the Europeans and the Anglo Indians. There was hardly any danger of public opinion being subverted in India.

What really worried these Company’s officers was the apprehension that these newspapers might reach London and expose their misdoings to the Home authorities. In the absence of press laws, the newspapers were at the mercy of the Company’s officials. The Government sometimes enforced pre-censorship, sometimes deported the offending editor for anti-government policies

The Censorship of the Press Act, 1799

Lord Wellesley imposed severe censorship on all newspapers. The Censorship of the Press Act, 1799, imposed almost wartime restrictions on the press. These regulations required:

The newspaper was to clearly print in every issue the name of the printer, the editor and the proprietor.
The publisher was to submit all material for pre-censorship to the Secretary to the Government.
The breach of these rules was punishable with immediate deportation.

In 1807 the Censorship Act was extended to cover journals, pamphlets and even books. The relaxation of press restrictions came under Lord Hastings.

Licensing regulation Act, 1823

Adams’s brief administration of seven months was marked by great energy, but it is remembered only by his illiberal proceedings against the press, and his vindictive persecution of Mr. Buckingham, who had come out to Calcutta in 1818, and established the “Calcutta Journal.” It was the ablest newspaper which had ever appeared in India, and gave a higher tone and a deeper interest to journalism.

The editor, availing himself of the Liberty granted to the press by Lord Hastings, commented on public measures with great boldness, and sometimes with a degree of severity which was considered dangerous.

But the great offence of the Journal consisted in the freedom of its remarks on some of the leading members of Government. They had been nursed in the lap of despotism, and their feelings of official complacency were rudely disturbed by the sarcasms inflicted on them.

A Regulation was accordingly passed in April, 1823, which completely extinguished the “freedom of unlicensed printing,” but the Calcutta Journal continued to write with the same spirit as before.

A petition to disallow the press Regulation was presented to the Privy Council, and rejected without any hesitation.

Vernacular Press Act, 1878

The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was enacted to curtail the freedom of the Indian-languages’ press.

Lord Lytton was being bitterly criticized for the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80). So, he promulgated the act with an aim to prevent the vernacular press from expressing criticism of British policies under him. The act excluded English-language publications. It elicited strong and sustained protests from a wide spectrum of the Indian populace.

It was nicknamed the ‘Gagging Act’. For the first time, any Act empowered the Government to issue search warrants, and enter newspaper premises even without court ordersMore stringent anti-press laws were enacted in the passage of time, particularly when the freedom movement gained momentum. Reporting was closely monitored and comments against govt. were not tolerated.

The law was repealed in 1881 by Lytton’s successor, Lord Ripon. However, the resentment it produced among Indians became one of the catalysts giving rise to India’s growing independence movement.

Indian Newspaper Act, 1908

The adverse comments of the newspapers against the government led it to follow a repressive policy and enacted the Newspapers (Incite to Offences) Act, 1908.

The Newspaper Act, of 1908 laid down several principles, terms and condition. Magistrates were empowered to confiscate printing press, property connected to of newspapers, which published objectionable materials serving as incitement to murder or acts of violence.

The Local Government was authorized to terminate any declaration made by the printer and publisher of the newspaper, which had been found offender under the Press and Registration of Books Act of 1867.

The newspapers editors and the printers were given the option to appeal to the High Court within fifteen days of the order of the penalty of the Press.

Indian Press Act, 1910

The Indian Press Act 1910 was a legislation propagated that imposed stringent censorship and restriction of on all types of publications. The measure was put into effect in order to curtail and restrict the emerging Indian freedom struggle, particularly with the advent of World War I.

Press Committee, 1921

In 1921, on the recommendations of a Press Committee chaired by Tej Bahadur Sapru, the Press Acts of 1908 and 1910 were repealed.

Indian Press (Emergency Powers) Act, 1931

This Act gave sweeping powers to provincial governments to suppress propaganda for Civil Disobedience Movement.

It was further amplified in 1932 to include all activities calculated to undermine government authority.

Press Enquiry Committee, 1947

The Committee was set up to examine press laws in the Light of Fundamental Rights formulated by the Constituent Assembly.

It recommended repeal of Indian Emergency Powers Act, 1931, amendments in Press and Registration of Books Act, modifications in Sections 124-A and 156-A of IPC, among others.

The development of the press during the British rule in India can be divided into the following subtopics:

The early years of the press in India
The Growth of the press in the 19th century
The role of the press in the Indian independence movement
The press in independent India

The early years of the press in India were marked by the establishment of a number of English-language newspapers, such as the Bengal Gazette (1780), the Madras Courier (1785), and the Bombay Herald (1789). These newspapers were primarily concerned with reporting news and events, and they played a significant role in informing the public about the British Raj.

The growth of the press in the 19th century was largely due to the rise of Indian nationalism. Indian nationalists saw the press as a powerful tool for mobilizing public opinion and promoting their cause. As a result, a number of vernacular newspapers were established, such as the Kesari (1881) and the Amrita Bazar Patrika (1881). These newspapers played a key role in the Indian independence movement, and they helped to galvanize public support for the cause of independence.

The press in independent India has continued to play a vital role in the country’s development. Indian newspapers are now among the most widely read in the world, and they provide a forum for the discussion of a wide range of issues. The press has also played a significant role in exposing Corruption and wrongdoing, and it has helped to hold the government accountable to the people.

The early years of the press in India were marked by the establishment of a number of English-language newspapers. The first of these was the Bengal Gazette, which was founded in 1780 by James Augustus Hicky. Hicky’s newspaper was a scathing critic of the British East India Company, and it was eventually shut down by the Company in 1782. However, the Bengal Gazette paved the way for the establishment of other English-language newspapers in India, such as the Madras Courier (1785) and the Bombay Herald (1789).

These early English-language newspapers were primarily concerned with reporting news and events. They played a significant role in informing the public about the British Raj, and they helped to raise awareness of the problems faced by Indians under British rule.

The Kesari was founded by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian independence movement. The Kesari was a fiercely nationalist newspaper, and it played a key role in mobilizing public support for the Indian National Congress. The Amrita Bazar Patrika was founded by Sisir Kumar Ghosh, another prominent leader of the Indian independence movement. The Amrita Bazar Patrika was a more moderate newspaper than the Kesari, but it was also a powerful voice for Indian nationalism.

The press in independent India has continued to play a vital role in the country’s development. Indian newspapers are now among the most widely read in the world, and they provide a forum for the discussion of a wide range of issues. The press has also played a significant role in exposing corruption and wrongdoing, and it has helped to hold the government accountable to the people.

In recent years, the press in India has come under increasing pressure from the government. The government has been accused of using laws such as the sedition law and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to silence critical voices. The government has also been accused of using its control over advertising to pressure newspapers into toeing the government line.

Despite these challenges, the press in India remains a vital force for Democracy and accountability. The press continues to play a key role in informing the public and holding the government to account.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the development of the press during the British rule:

What is the history of the press in India?

The press in India has a long and rich history. The first newspapers were published in the early 18th century, and the press played a major role in the Indian independence movement. The press has also been a major force in shaping Society/”>Indian Society and culture.

What were the major challenges faced by the press during the British rule?

The press in India faced many challenges during the British rule. The British government imposed strict censorship laws, and journalists were often arrested and imprisoned for their work. The press also faced financial difficulties, as it was difficult to make a profit in a colonial economy.

What were the major achievements of the press during the British rule?

Despite the challenges, the press in India made many achievements during the British rule. The press played a major role in the Indian independence movement, and it also helped to raise awareness of social and political issues. The press also played a role in shaping Indian culture and society.

What is the legacy of the press during the British rule?

The press in India has a rich and complex legacy. The press played a major role in the Indian independence movement, and it also helped to shape Indian society and culture. The press has also faced many challenges, including censorship and financial difficulties. However, the press has made many achievements, and it continues to play an important role in India today.

What are the future challenges and opportunities for the press in India?

The press in India faces many challenges in the future. The rise of Social Media has led to a decline in traditional print media, and the press is facing increasing competition from online news sources. The press is also facing financial difficulties, as it is difficult to make a profit in a digital economy. However, the press also has many opportunities. The rise of social media has given the press a new platform to reach a wider audience, and the press can use this platform to play a major role in shaping Indian society and culture.

Here are some MCQs about the development of the press in India:

The first newspaper in India was published in:
(a) 1780
(b) 1784
(c) 1789
(d) 1792
The first Indian newspaper to be published in English was:
(a) The Bengal Gazette
(b) The Indian Gazette
(c) The Madras Courier
(d) The Bombay Herald
The first Indian newspaper to be published in a vernacular language was:
(a) The Bengal Gazette
(b) The Indian Gazette
(c) The Madras Courier
(d) The Bombay Herald
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was also known as:
(a) The Sepoy Mutiny
(b) The First War of Independence
(c) The Indian Mutiny
(d) The Great Rebellion
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was passed to:
(a) Control the spread of seditious ideas through the vernacular press
(b) Regulate the publication of newspapers in vernacular languages
(c) Suppress the vernacular press
(d) None of the above
The Indian Press Act of 1910 was passed to:
(a) Control the spread of seditious ideas through the press
(b) Regulate the publication of newspapers
(c) Suppress the press
(d) None of the above
The Press Council of India was established in:
(a) 1965
(b) 1966
(c) 1967
(d) 1968
The Press Council of India is a statutory body that:
(a) Regulates the press in India
(b) Promotes the freedom of the press
(c) Protects the rights of journalists
(d) All of the above
The Right To Information act was passed in:
(a) 2000
(b) 2001
(c) 2002
(d) 2003
The Right to Information Act gives citizens the right to:
(a) Access information held by public authorities
(b) Obtain copies of documents held by public authorities
(c) Seek information from public authorities
(d) All of the above