Bengal Gazette and Early Indian Press

The origin of modern print media in India dates back to the late eighteenth century with the establishment of the first printed newspaper in Calcutta. Printing technology, introduced to India by Portuguese Jesuits in Goa in 1556, initially served religious and evangelical purposes. By the late 1700s, British individuals began publishing English-language weeklies, turning print into a medium for local news, political commentary, and social critique. The growth of the early press laid the groundwork for Indian-owned journalism and prompted colonial authorities to enact strict censorship laws to control public opinion.

Hicky’s Bengal Gazette and the Birth of Indian Journalism

On January 29, 1780, James Augustus Hicky published the first issue of Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, also known as The Calcutta General Advertiser. Printed in English, it was a two-page weekly newspaper distributed every Saturday. Hicky described his paper as “a weekly political and commercial paper open to all parties, but influenced by none.” Hicky’s Bengal Gazette gained popularity for its satire, gossip, and critiques of East India Company officials. Hicky targeted Governor-General Warren Hastings, his wife Marian Hastings, and Chief Justice Elijah Impey. He exposed administrative corruption, nepotism, and private trade practices within the Company. In response to these attacks, Warren Hastings revoked Hicky’s postal privileges in late 1780. Hicky continued publishing by hiring private couriers. Colonial authorities filed libel suits against Hicky, resulting in his imprisonment and fines in 1781. When Hicky continued editing from prison, the Supreme Court ordered the seizure of his printing press in March 1782, bringing an end to India’s first newspaper.

Expansion of Colonial Print Media (1780–1800)

Following Hicky’s venture, several other English-language weeklies emerged across the three major presidencies of British India. Most early publishers maintained a friendly stance toward the East India Company to avoid government action.

Early Calcutta Publications

• India Gazette (1780): Founded by Bernard Messink and Peter Reed shortly after Hicky lost his postal privileges. It enjoyed official patronage and government postal subsidies.
• Calcutta Gazette (1784): Published under government sanction, serving as a medium for official notifications and news.
• Bengal Journal (1785): Founded by Thomas Jones, covering local trade and administration news.

Early Madras and Bombay Publications

• Madras Courier (1785): Founded by Richard Johnston, it became the first official newspaper of the Madras Presidency.
• Bombay Herald (1789): Founded as the first weekly newspaper in Bombay, followed by the Bombay Courier in 1790.

Emergence of the Vernacular Press and Indian Ownership

The early nineteenth century saw the arrival of Indian-owned publications and native-language newspapers. Reformers used print media to advocate social changes, debate religious practices, and spread general education.

Serampore Missionaries

The Baptist missionaries at Serampore, led by William Carey and Joshua Marshman, played a central role in early Bengali journalism. They published Digdarshan in April 1818, the first Bengali monthly magazine, containing educational articles. In May 1818, they launched Samachar Darpan, the first Bengali weekly newspaper.

Contributions of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy recognized the power of the press to drive social reform, combat orthodoxy, and express political grievances.

• Sambad Kaumudi (1821): A weekly Bengali newspaper founded by Ram Mohan Roy, Bhavani Charan Bandyopadhyay, and Tarachand Dutta. It campaigned against the practice of Sati, caste discrimination, and social evils.
• Mirat-ul-Akbar (1822): The first Persian journal in India, founded and edited by Ram Mohan Roy to discuss political developments, international affairs, and administrative reforms.
• Bangaduta (1822): A four-language weekly published in English, Bengali, Persian, and Hindi, founded by Ram Mohan Roy, Dwarkanath Tagore, and others.

Growth of Language Journalism

• Jam-i-Jahan Numa (1822): Founded by Harihar Dutta, it was the first Urdu-language weekly newspaper published in Calcutta.
• Bombay Samachar (1822): Founded by Fardunjee Marzban in Gujarati, it is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Asia.
• Rast Goftar (1851): Founded by Dadabhai Naoroji and Kharshedji Cama in Bombay as a Gujarati fortnightly to promote Parsi social reform.

Early Colonial Press Regulations and Censorship

The East India Company viewed an unbridled press as a threat to its political authority. Governors-General introduced various acts to curb criticism and control published content.

Censorship of Press Act, 1799

Enacted by Lord Wellesley during the war with France, this act imposed pre-censorship on all publications. Printers were required to submit proofs of all material to the Government Secretary before publication. The law mandated that every newspaper display the names of the printer, editor, and proprietor.

Licensing Regulations, 1823

Enacted by Acting Governor-General John Adam, these rules required every publisher to obtain a government license before starting a press or printing a journal. Magistrates held the authority to cancel licenses without prior notice. Raja Ram Mohan Roy shut down Mirat-ul-Akbar in protest against these regulations.

Metcalfe Act or Press Act of 1835

Governor-General Charles Metcalfe repealed the restrictive 1823 regulations. His liberal approach earned him the title “Liberator of the Indian Press.” The new law required publishers to make a simple declaration regarding their printing premises and operating details.

Licensing Act, 1857

Passed by Lord Canning during the Revolt of 1857, this act restored government licensing requirements for printing presses and banned the publication of material deemed seditious.

Early Indian Newspapers and Journals

Facts for Revision

• Printing press technology was brought to India by Portuguese missionaries in 1556 at Goa.
• James Augustus Hicky published Hicky’s Bengal Gazette on January 29, 1780, from Calcutta.
• Hicky’s Bengal Gazette was also called The Calcutta General Advertiser.
• The printing press of Hicky’s Bengal Gazette was confiscated by order of the Supreme Court in March 1782.
• The Censorship of Press Act of 1799 was introduced by Lord Wellesley to impose wartime pre-censorship.
• Samachar Darpan (1818), launched by Serampore missionaries, was the first Bengali weekly newspaper.
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy published Sambad Kaumudi in Bengali (1821) and Mirat-ul-Akbar in Persian (1822).
• The Licensing Regulations of 1823 were issued by John Adam, leading to the closure of Mirat-ul-Akbar.
• Harihar Dutta established Jam-i-Jahan Numa in 1822 as India’s first Urdu newspaper.
• Charles Metcalfe passed the Press Act of 1835 and is known as the “Liberator of the Indian Press.”
• Dadabhai Naoroji founded the Gujarati journal Rast Goftar in 1851.
• Lord Canning enacted the Licensing Act of 1857 to control the press during the Revolt of 1857.