Modern History of Indian Press

The book covers a period of little more than two hundred years – from 1780 to 1997 to be precise. Written in lucid style, it traces, in brief, the evolution of the methods of communication and of the print media with special emphasis on the role of ‘Newsletters’ which, in course of time, took the form of newspaper. These and other relevant aspects like the late arrival of English newspapers in India are discussed in the Prologue.

The actual history begins from Chapter One which deals with the early years of the Indian Press – from the first abortive attempt by William Bolts to bring out a news-paper to ventilate his personal grievances against the East India Company bosses. What Bolts could not achieve James Augustus Hicky did about 12 years after the deportation of the former.

Hicky’s Gazette was source of inspiration for others who had visualized great potentiality of the Press in India for commercial purpose and as a moulder of public opinion. Chapter Tow deals with the new ventures launched by the then Europeans in India and how they fought for the freedom of the press.

Growth of newspapers in Indian languages, Raja Rammohan’s indelible imprint on the Press of the day, his historic petition against the Press ordinance known as ‘Aropagitica of Indian Press’ are among the subjects highlighted.

The removal of Press fetters ushered in the Golden Era of the Indian Press which enjoyed reasonable freedom for the next 28 years and became an authentic mirror of the society which saw rapid changes through many social reforms. But the Press was again shackled as the Sepoy Mutiny broke out in 1857.

The change from the Company Raj to British Raj, introduction of new elements in the administrative system, rise of new middle class, bureaucracy etc. lent new political contents to the relations between the ruler and the ruled. The Indian Press reflected all these and soon became a lively forum of political debates and a partner of Indian’s struggle for political freedom.

Since then the struggle for freedom of the Indian Press ran alongside the country’s struggle for freedom. The various stages of the freedom struggle were faithfully mirrored by the nationalist Press which suffered a lot in the process.