Question

Why did James Augustus Hickey claim that the Bengal Gazette was 'a commercial paper open to all but influenced by none' ? Explain.
OR
Why did Henry Fielding, a novelist of the early 18th century, claim that he was the founder of a new province of writing where he could make his own laws ? Explain.
CBSE Class X Social Science SA ( 3 marks)

Answer 1

Hickey appears to have started the Begal Gazette in January 1870 with a neutral editorial stance but changed it after competitors with ties to East India Company attempted to launch a rival publication. In his paper, Hickey accused Marion Hastings (wife of Warren Hasting) and several other high level functionaries of the Company , the Church and Judicial institutions of corruption. He was convicted by the partisan judiciary for libel, and his paper was shut down in 1872.