Question

Discuss the role of press in the growth of national consciousness in 19th century bengal

Answer 1

The progressive administrative measures of Lord Bentinck gave a fillip to the growth of Indian journalism. Bang Dutt (in Bengali), with the effort of Dwarkanath Tagore, Prasanna Kumar Tagore and Raja Ram Mohan Roy, was founded in 1830.

In Bombay, the Jam-e-Jamshed (in Gujarati) was started in 1831 by P.M.Motiwala. Rast Goftar and Akhbar-e-Saudagar was founded.

With the enactment of the Indian Council Act of 1861, both Indian and non-Indian Press expanded. The Times of India which supported the policy of the British Government in India was founded in Bombay in 1861. The Pioneer which supported the landowning and mercantile interests was in Allahabad in 1865. The Madras Mail which represented the interests of the European commercial community was founded in 1868. The Statesman which criticized the government as well as the Indian nationalist groups was founded in Calcutta in 1875. The Civil and Military Gazette which was distinctly an organ of British conservative opinion was founded in Lahore in 1878.

Answer 2

The role of the press in the national movement are as follows :

1. The press spread the ideas of patriotism and modern liberalism .

2. The press preached liberty , equality , fraternity and justice .

3. It made daily criticism on the unjust policies of the Government.

4. It exposed the true nature of the British rule.

5. It made possible the exchange of views among different social groups.

6. It made the Indians aware about events around the World .

Some of the prominent newspapers of the century was :

• The Bengali.
• The Hindu.
• Amrit Baazar Patrika .
• The Pioneer.
• The Times of India .
• The Statesmen .