Roadmap for Answer Writing
To answer the question, follow a structured approach to ensure clarity and comprehensiveness:
1. Introduction
Provide a brief overview of the historical context.
- Mention the introduction of the press in India with the publication of Bengal Gazette in 1780.
- Highlight the significance of the press as a tool for spreading modern ideas and nationalism.
Fact: Bengal Gazette was India’s first printed newspaper, and by 1824, Raja Rammohan Roy opposed press restrictions.
2. Role of the Press in the Early Phase of the National Movement
Discuss the contributions of the press under specific themes:
(A) Political Propaganda and Education
- The press acted as the primary medium for disseminating nationalist ideologies and critiquing colonial policies.
- Helped Indian leaders educate the public about rights and exploitation under British rule.
Fact: Newspapers like Kesari and Amrit Bazar Patrika actively criticized colonial policies.
(B) Mobilizing Public Opinion
- During 1870-1918, the press played a crucial role in training and mobilizing public opinion when the movement was not mass-based.
- It consolidated nationalist sentiment through intellectual debates.
Fact: The press worked on the motto of “oppose, oppose, oppose” against the colonial government.
(C) Geographical Spread of the Movement
- The press ensured that nationalist messages reached remote areas, promoting unity across diverse regions.
- Library movements inspired by newspapers spread in rural India, creating awareness about colonial exploitation.
Fact: Vernacular newspapers like Kesari played a critical role in rural outreach.
(D) Opposition to the Government
- Criticized the British government, exposing their exploitative policies and supporting nationalist causes.
Fact: Tilak’s writings in Kesari led to sedition charges and imprisonment.
3. Challenges Faced by the Indian Press
Elaborate on the hurdles that limited the press’s functioning and its fight against suppression:
(A) Sedition Laws
- Stringent laws under Section 124A and other sections of IPC were used to prosecute journalists.
- Leaders like Tilak were repeatedly tried for sedition.
Fact: Tilak was imprisoned twice for his editorials in Kesari.
(B) Vernacular Press Act, 1878
- Targeted vernacular newspapers critical of the British government.
- Allowed seizure of press equipment and imposition of fines.
Fact: Amrit Bazar Patrika turned into an English newspaper overnight to evade censorship.
(C) Draconian Legislations
- Acts like the Press Act of 1910 and Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act of 1911 curtailed press freedom.
- Hefty securities and fines financially burdened newspapers.
Fact: Over 1,000 newspapers faced prosecution under the Press Act of 1910, yielding Rs. 5 lakhs in fines.
4. Conclusion
Summarize the resilience and contribution of the press despite severe challenges.
- Highlight its role in uniting Indians and fostering the freedom struggle.
- Mention how press freedom became a cornerstone of democracy post-independence.
Fact: The press’s sacrifices paved the way for freedom of the press to be recognized as a fundamental right in independent India.
However, the Indian press faced significant challenges during this period. The British government imposed stringent regulations to suppress dissent and control the spread of nationalist sentiments. Notable among these was the Vernacular Press Act of 1878, which sought to curb the influence of regional language newspapers critical of colonial rule. Additionally, the Press Act of 1910 imposed further restrictions, leading to the prosecution of numerous publications and the collection of substantial securities and forfeitures.
Despite these oppressive measures, the Indian press persisted in its efforts, playing a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion and laying the groundwork for India’s eventual independence. The resilience and determination of journalists and editors during this era underscore the press’s vital contribution to the freedom struggle.
Introduction
The first Indian press was set up at the inception of the *Bengal Gazette* in 1780. This was a new order of the Intellect. The Indian presses was emerged as significant agent of social change in the early phase of the National Movement and as a force for transformation and resistance to colonial domination of Britain.
Role of the Press in the Early Phase of the National Movement:
-(A) Political Propaganda and Education: Newspaper was influential in expressing nationalist sentiments and colonial policies’ opposition . Kesari and Amrit Bazar Patrika were flag bearers of anti-British sentiments and informed people about their rights as well as the oppression carried out by the British. They exposed the oppressive nature of colonialism in relation to issues concerning land revenue systems, discriminate laws and economical exploitation.
-(B) Mobilizing Public Opinion: At this stage of the movement, which at that time was not a mass movement, the press had the functions of mobilizing opinions. It produced highbrow discussions and incorporated nationalist emotions and strived towards the slogan free from the colonial government ‘oppose, oppose, oppose.’
-(C) Geographical Spread of the Movement: Through the help of the press, the geographical divide was covered and consequently nationalist messages could reach far distant parts of the country. The rural reach towards achieving a common nationalism, which was passed on by vernacular newspapers such as ‘Kesari’.
-(D) Anti-Government: The press always went against the British government as it unveiled the exploitative policies and supported every cause for national causes. If instances are considered, pieces in ‘Kesari’ written by Bal Gangadhar Tilak denied the right of British government so strongly that he was charged with sedition.
Struggle faced by the Indian press while doing propaganda against colonialism:
-(A) Sedition Laws: Draconian laws like Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code are used against journalists, which suppress any kind of dissent. Leaders such as Tilak were repeatedly put behind bars and tried for the same writings published in ‘Kesari’, thereby making these laws oppressive.
-(B) Vernacular Press Act, 1878: This Act targeted only the vernacular newspapers that criticized the British government. It authorized the seizure of equipment of the press and imposed heavy fines, and silenced dissenting voices. The famous newspaper ‘Amrit Bazar Patrika’ famously switched to English to evade this Act.
-“Draconian Legislation: Press Act, 1910 and Prevention of Seditious Meetings Act, 1911 – In these proceedings also, government repression on press freedom remained on the rise. Charging high securities and fines led to severe losses which became financially non-viable. Approximately 1,000 newspapers were prosecuted for Press Act in 1910 collecting a fine amounting to 5 lakhs, which is the scale of government persecution”.
Conclusion
Indian journalism was indeed an indispensable and important instrument for the Indian National Movement under such arduous hardships and intense repression. The powerful tool of press played the most effective part in disseminating nationalist thoughts as well as arousing popular sentiments against the rule of British. All hardships-from imprisonment to economic hardships, to name just two-made the right to freedom of the press one of the constitutional rights of the people in independent India. This in itself shows the resistance of the media against censorship for it stood up for the truth and for uprightness for which it paid with its all. It is an outstanding legacy in the fight to achieve India’s freedom.
Role of the Press in the Early Indian National Movement
Challenges Faced by the Indian Press
Contemporary Significance
The historical role of the press underscores the importance of press freedom in democratic societies. However, recent reports indicate a decline in press freedom in India, with the country slipping in global rankings.
This trend serves as a reminder of the need to safeguard journalistic independence to maintain a healthy democracy.
In the early stages of India’s national movement, the press was instrumental in fostering political awareness and unity. Publications like Kesari, founded by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and The Hindu, established by G. Subramania Iyer, disseminated nationalist ideas and exposed colonial injustices, galvanizing public support for independence.
However, the Indian press faced significant challenges under British rule. The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 sought to suppress regional language publications critical of the government. Journalists like Tilak and Iyer were arrested and charged with sedition for their writings. Despite these obstacles, the press remained resilient, continuing to inspire and mobilize the masses toward India’s eventual independence.
Model Answer
Role of the Press in the Early Phase of the Indian National Movement
The press played a pivotal role in the formative years of the Indian national movement, acting as a critical tool for political education, mass mobilization, and resistance against colonial rule.
1. Political Propaganda and Education
Fact: The press was instrumental in spreading modern civil liberties, inspired by the French Revolution, as early as Raja Rammohan Roy’s protest against press restrictions in 1824.
2. Preparing the Masses
Fact: The motto of the press—“oppose, oppose, oppose”—exemplified its dedication to resisting colonial rule.
3. Enhancing Geographical Reach
Fact: Newspapers like Kesari (by Bal Gangadhar Tilak) reached the grassroots, educating people about their rights and duties.
Challenges Faced by the Indian Press
1. Stringent Sedition Laws
Fact: Bal Gangadhar Tilak was imprisoned twice under sedition charges for his editorials in Kesari.
2. The Vernacular Press Act, 1878
Fact: Amrit Bazar Patrika converted into an English publication overnight to escape this Act’s provisions.
3. Other Draconian Laws
Fact: The Press Act of 1910 alone collected Rs. 5 lakhs in securities and fines.
Conclusion
Despite severe challenges, the Indian press remained a resilient force in promoting nationalism, opposing colonial rule, and educating the masses. Its sacrifices laid the foundation for the recognition of press freedom as a fundamental right in independent India.