NCERT History Class 10 | Print and Censorship – Concept and Notes
Topic & sub-topics covered: Print and Censorship: Print Culture and The Modern World (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).
We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “Print and Censorship” which is taken from the NCERT History book for class 10th chapter no. 5 “Print Culture and The Modern World“.
Download NCERT History Chapter 5 Class 10th Notes PDF for “Print Culture and The Modern World”
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NCERT Class 10 History Chapter 5 Print Culture And The Modern World Class 10th Notes & Concept
Print and Censorship
1. Early Colonial Press Control:
- Before 1798, the East India Company was not heavily concerned with censorship, primarily targeting English critics of Company actions in India to prevent attacks on its trade monopoly.
2. Changes in Press Regulations (1820s – 1835):
- In the 1820s, the Calcutta Supreme Court introduced regulations to control press freedom, aiming to promote newspapers supportive of British rule.
- Governor-General Bentinck revised press laws in 1835, restoring earlier freedoms under the influence of liberal colonial official Thomas Macaulay.
3. Post-1857 Revolt Shift in Press Attitude:
- After the 1857 revolt, English demands for press control intensified, especially targeting assertively nationalist vernacular newspapers.
- The Vernacular Press Act of 1878, modelled on Irish Press Laws, granted extensive censorship rights to the government over vernacular press content.
4. Impact on Nationalist Press and Responses:
- Despite repression, nationalist newspapers proliferated, reporting on colonial misrule and fostering nationalist activities.
- Attempts to suppress nationalist criticism triggered militant protests, leading to cycles of persecution and protests, exemplified by Balgangadhar Tilak’s imprisonment in 1908 for supporting Punjab revolutionaries, sparking widespread protests across India.
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE History Class 10 Chapter 5: Print Culture and the Modern World
FAQ
Q1. How did the East India Company’s approach to press control change before and after 1798?
Answer: Before 1798, the East India Company primarily targeted English critics to safeguard its trade monopoly. After 1798, it became more concerned with press censorship to promote newspapers supportive of British rule in India.
Q2. What were the key amendments in press regulations during the 1820s and 1835, and how did they impact press freedom?
Answer: In the 1820s, regulations were introduced to control press freedom, aiming to promote newspapers favourable to British rule. Governor-General Bentinck’s amendments in 1835 restored some freedoms, influenced by liberal officials like Thomas Macaulay.
Q3. How did the Vernacular Press Act of 1878 affect nationalist newspapers, and what were the responses to government censorship?
Answer: The Vernacular Press Act granted extensive censorship powers over vernacular press content. Despite the repression, nationalist newspapers proliferated, reporting on colonial misrule and triggering cycles of persecution and protests, notably seen in Balgangadhar Tilak’s imprisonment in 1908, sparking widespread protests.