5.6.2. Print Comes to India

The printing press first came to Goa with Portuguese missionaries in the mid-sixteenth century. Jesuit priests learnt Konkani and printed several tracts. By 1674, about 50 books had been printed in the Konkani and in Kanara languages. Catholic priests printed the first Tamil book in 1579 at Cochin, and in 1713 the first Malayalam book was printed by them. By 1710, Dutch Protestant missionaries had printed 32 Tamil texts, many of them translations of older works.

The section outlines how print technology was introduced in India by Portuguese missionaries in the mid-1500s. Jesuit priests learned local languages, which allowed them to print religious texts and other materials. This marked the beginning of printed literature in various Indian languages, including Konkani, Tamil, and Malayalam. The efforts of missionaries to spread Christianity included making literature accessible to local communities, thus laying the groundwork for a print culture in India.

Imagine a new school being built in your neighborhood where teachers not only teach subjects like math and science but also ensure that local stories, traditions, and languages are preserved and taught. This is similar to how missionaries introduced print in India; they embraced local languages to make written material relatable and accessible.

The English language press did not grow in India till quite late even though the English East India Company began to import presses from the late seventeenth century. From 1780, James Augustus Hickey began to edit the Bengal Gazette, a weekly magazine that described itself as ‘a commercial paper open to all, but influenced by none’. So it was private English enterprise, proud of its independence from colonial influence, that began English printing in India.

This chunk details the late development of the English language press in India, starting with the Bengal Gazette in 1780. James Augustus Hickey played a crucial role by producing a publication free from colonial control. This independence was significant because it allowed for a more diverse range of topics and discussions, positioning the newspaper as a platform for both information and commentary on colonial rule. Hickey’s efforts marked a turning point in India’s print media landscape.

Think of a new independent news channel that emerges during a time of strict government control over media. It offers the public a chance to hear different viewpoints and critical opinions in a safe space. This is similar to how Hickey’s Bengal Gazette provided a platform for freely discussing issues that mattered to Indians under British rule.

Hickey published a lot of advertisements, including those that related to the import and sale of slaves. But he also published a lot of gossip about the Company’s senior officials in India. Enraged by this, Governor-General Warren Hastings persecuted Hickey, and encouraged the publication of officially sanctioned newspapers that could counter the flow of information that damaged the image of the colonial government.

In this chunk, we see Hickey not only advertising but also publishing controversial content, like rumors and criticisms targeting the British officials. This led to backlash from colonial authorities, particularly Governor-General Hastings, who sought to suppress dissenting voices by promoting newspapers that aligned with the government’s narrative. This established a pattern of tension between free press and colonial authority, revealing the stakes associated with the print media's role in society.

Consider a popular blog that posts not-so-flattering content about local government policies or officials. The government might demand transparency from the bloggers or even try to control the spread of such information. This reflects how Hickey faced consequences for challenging the colonial government through his publications.

By the close of the eighteenth century, a number of newspapers and journals appeared in print. There were Indians, too, who began to publish Indian newspapers. The first to appear was the weekly Bengal Gazette, brought out by Gangadhar Bhattacharya, who was close to Rammohun Roy.

As print culture expanded, Indian authors began to contribute to the media landscape. The establishment of newspapers like the Bengal Gazette marked a significant development in Indian journalism, as it provided a platform for local voices and perspectives to be shared publicly. This led to an increase in awareness among the general populace about political and social issues, fostering a sense of community and identity.

Think of a community newsletter where local residents report on events, issues, and achievements in their neighborhood. This builds community spirit and awareness, similar to how indigenous newspapers brought local concerns and perspectives into the public conversation.

Print did not only stimulate the publication of conflicting opinions amongst communities, but it also connected communities and people in different parts of India. Newspapers conveyed news from one place to another, creating pan-Indian identities.

The influence of printed materials had broader implications as well. Newspapers played a crucial role in connecting diverse groups across India by sharing news and information that transcended regional boundaries. This helped foster a national identity among people of different backgrounds and cultures, enhancing the sense of unity amidst diversity through shared knowledge and discussions.

Imagine social media today, uniting people from different parts of the world over shared interests and news. Just like social media creates a global network of information, printed newspapers began to connect people in India, helping them to identify as part of a larger national community.

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