The development of the Indian press is a fascinating aspect of India’s history, with profound implications for its society, politics, and culture. The evolution of the press in India mirrors the journey of the nation itself, from colonial subjugation to independence and beyond.
During British rule, the press in India faced many challenges like colonial pressure, low literacy rates, and repression. However, it became an important tool in winning over Britishers later on. From 1850 to 1885, the main focus was political propaganda, spreading awareness, and promoting nationalist ideology. The press played a key role in this, helping to train, inspire, and unite nationalist public opinion. It’s worth noting that the first step towards the freedom movement was through newspapers, not armed conflict.
In 1556, the Portuguese introduced the first printing press in India. In 1780, James Hickey launched the first newspaper called “Calcutta General Advertiser” or “Bengal Gazette,” but it was shut down in 1872 for criticizing the government. Other newspapers emerged, including “The Bengal Journal,” “The Madras Courier,” “The Bombay Herald,” and “The Calcutta Chronicle.”
Company officers tried to prevent these newspapers from reaching London. Some influential newspapers during this period were “Swadesamitran” and “The Hindu” edited by B. G. Tilak, “Mahratta” by G. K. Gokhale, “Sudharak” by Sisir Kumar Ghosh, “Amrit Bazar Patrika” by Surendranath Banerjee, “Indian Mirror” by N. N. Sen and G. Subramaniya Iyer, “Kesari,” and others.
Read: Important Publications
Government Regulations for Press
Censorship Press Act, 1799:
- Enacted by Lord Wellesley in 1799, this act imposed wartime restrictions, including pre-censorship.
Licensing Regulations, 1823:
- Enacted by Acting Governor-General John Adams, these regulations restricted press usage without a license. Many publications, like Ram Mohan Roy’s Mirat-ul-Akbar, halted due to this.
Registration Act, 1867:
- Introduced to replace Metcalfe’s Act of 1835, this act mandated including printer, publisher, and publication name in every newspaper or book.
- Required submission of a copy of a book or newspaper within the first month of publication.
Vernacular Press Act, 1878:
- Introduced to exert control over nationalist ideology spread.
Indian Press Act, 1910:
- Enforced in 1910 to suppress the Indian Freedom Struggle, particularly during World War I.
- Allowed local governments to demand a security deposit and cancel registration for printing objectionable material.
Press Committee Instructs, 1921:
- Press Act of 1910 and 1908 were revoked based on the Press Committee’s recommendations.
The Indian Press Act, 1931:
- Enacted in response to the Gandhian movement of 1930, it gave provincial governments power to suppress media and press.
- Reinforced pre-censorship during World War II and declared Congress activities illegal.
Press Regulating Act, 1942:
- Made registration of journalists compulsory.
- Restricted messages about civil disturbances and sabotage acts. Limited headlines and space for such news.
Press Enquiry Committee, 1947:
- Established to monitor press law in line with human fundamental rights issued by the constituent assembly.
- Repealed the Indian Emergency Powers Act of 1931 and made amendments to other acts.
The history of journalism in India is closely tied to our freedom struggle. The press played a crucial role in educating people, spreading political ideas, promoting nationalism, and uniting people’s opinions in favor of independence.
Also Read: Economic Impact of British Rule in India