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Home / IAS Preparation / Press In British India

Press In British India: Regulations, History, Role Of Tilak And More For Upsc!

Last Updated on Nov 12, 2024
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The press in British India revolutionised communication, education, and activism. British rule, spanning from 1858 to 1947, witnessed the emergence of a vibrant and influential print culture. From English-language newspapers to vernacular publications, the press in British India played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, fostering nationalist movements, and spreading ideas of social reform. Its impact was felt across the subcontinent, transcending linguistic and regional boundaries. 

In this article, we will learn about press in British India. This forms a significant part of the UPSC IAS exam. UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains Paper I have many questions about this topic. It is also an important topic for UPSC History Optional and essential for the UGC NET History exam. Every year over 5-7 questions on political history are in the question paper.

Regulations Related To The Press In British India

Let us look at some of the regulations passed to curb the freedom of the press in British India.

Censorship Of Press Act, 1799

This was done by Lord Wellesley in preparation for a French invasion of India. It imposed press limitations, including pre-censorship, that were akin to those of war. Under Lord Hastings, who held progressive views, these limitations were loosened, and pre-censorship was abolished in 1818.

Licensing Regulations, 1823

John Adams, the acting governor general, who held reactionary beliefs, put these into effect. These restrictions stated that it was illegal to start or operate a press without a licence. Later, the Act was expanded to include books, pamphlets, and journals. These limitations were mostly aimed at newspapers published in India or edited by Indians. Mirat-ul-Akbar by Rammohan Roy had to cease publication.

Press Act, 1835 Or Metcalfe Act

The offensive 1823 decree was overturned by Metcalfe, who served as governor-general from 1835 to 1836, earning him the title "liberator of the Indian press." A printer or publisher was obligated by the new Press Act (1835) to provide a specific account of the location of a publication and discontinue operations if so requested by a comparable statement. Newspapers grew quickly as a result of a liberal policy for press in British India.

Licensing Act, 1857

This Act added licencing requirements to the registration process already established by the Metcalfe Act because of the situation created by the 1857 uprising. The government also reserved the authority to halt the production and distribution of any book, newspaper, or printed material.

Registration Act, 1867

This Act, which was of a regulatory rather than a restricting nature, replaced Metcalfe's Act of 1835. According to the Act, (i) every book and newspaper had to include the name of the printer and publisher as well as the location of publishing; (ii) a copy had to be given to the local government within a month of a book's publication.

Vernacular Press Act 

The purpose of the Vernacular Press Act (VPA) is to effectively punish and suppress seditious writing while "better controlling" the vernacular press. The following were some of the Act's provisions.

  • The district magistrate had the authority to order any vernacular newspaper's printer and publisher to sign a bond with the government promising not to use published material to incite hatred between people of different religions, castes, or races. The printer and publisher could also be asked to deposit security that could be forfeited if the rule were broken, and press equipment could be seized if that happened.
  • There was no right to appeal to a legal tribunal against the magistrate's decision.
  • A government censor could grant a vernacular publication an exemption from the Act's application in exchange for supporting documentation.

Newspaper (Incitement To Offences) Act, 1908

The Act, which was created to combat extreme nationalist activity, gave magistrates the authority to seize press assets that published anything that could incite violence or murder.

Tilak, the leader of the militant nationalists, was sentenced to six years in Mandalay (Burma) after being found guilty of sedition. Nationwide protests resulted from this. Textile and railway workshop workers in Bombay engaged the Army in street combat and went on strike for many days. This was welcomed by Lenin as the working class's entry onto the political scene in India.

Indian Press Act, 1910

The worst aspects of the VPA were revived by this Act, which gave local governments the authority to require security from a newspaper's printer or publisher at registration, forge/deregister a newspaper if it violated the law, and require printers to give local governments two free copies of every issue.

The Press Acts of 1908 and 1910 were repealed in 1921 based on the recommendations of a committee Tej Bahadur Sapru presided called the Press Committee.

Indian Press (Emergency Powers) Act, 1931 

This Act granted provincial governments broad authority to stifle the Civil Disobedience Movement's propaganda. In 1932, it was expanded much further to cover all actions intended to challenge the legitimacy of the government.

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History Of Freedom Of Press In India

The Bengal Gazette, also known as the Calcutta General Advertiser, was the first newspaper in India. It was started by James Augustus Hickey in 1780. However, in 1872, the government took control of the newspaper because it criticised them too much. 

  • After that, more newspapers like The Bombay Herald, The Madras Courier, The Bengal Journal, and The Calcutta Chronicle were published. The government officers were worried that these newspapers might reach London and expose their wrongdoings, so they wanted to restrict the press in British India. Defending civil liberties, including the freedom of the press, was important to nationalists like Raja Rammohan Roy. The early nationalist movement focused on educating and influencing people through newspapers rather than big protests. The Indian National Congress also relied on the press to spread its decisions and activities.
  • During that time, many brave and famous journalists started newspapers. Some of these newspapers were The Hindu and Swadesamitran by G. Subramaniya Aiyar, The Bengalee by Surendranath Banerjea, Voice of India by Dadabhai Naoroji, Amrita Bazar Patrika by Sisir Kumar Ghosh and Motilal Ghosh, Indian Mirror by N.N. Sen, and Kesari and Maharatta by Balgangadhar Tilak. These newspapers were not just for making money, but they aimed to serve the nation and the people. 
  • They reached not only cities but also isolated villages, where people would gather around a single newspaper to read and discuss every article. Press in British India played a big role in politics and education, criticising government actions and engaging people in important discussions. Their influence extended beyond cities and towns; these newspapers made it to isolated villages, where each editorial and news item was carefully read and discussed in the "local libraries" that would assemble around a single newspaper. 
  • These libraries thus fulfilled the purposes of both political engagement and political education. Government Acts and policies were subjected to critical examination in these newspapers. They served as a group that was opposed to the government.
  • During British rule in India, the government had strict rules to control the media. They had a law called Section 124 A, which punished those who spoke against the British government. But the nationalist media found clever ways to work around these restrictions. They would quote critical articles from newspapers in England or start their own articles with words of loyalty to the government. This required a clever mix of simplicity and hidden messages. The national movement always supported freedom of the press in British India. They criticised the Lord Lytton administration for how they treated famine victims, and in response, the government passed the Vernacular Press Act in 1878 to control the newspapers.
  • The law earned the moniker "the gagging act" over time. The disparity between English and vernacular press in British India and the absence of an appeals process were the worst aspects of this Act. The action was taken against Som Prakash, Bharat Mihir, Dacca Prakash, and Samachar under the VPA. 
  • To avoid the VPA, the Amrita Bazar Patrika changed into an English newspaper overnight. The pre-censorship provision was later removed, and a press commissioner was appointed to provide reliable news to the media. The Act faced significant criticism before being finally repealed by Ripon in 1882.
  • Surendranath Banerjee was the first journalist from India to be imprisoned in 1883. Banerjee had chastised a judge of the Calcutta High Court for being insensitive to the religious emotions of Bengalis in one of his rulings in a furious editorial in The Bengalee.
  • The government revised Section 124A and introduced Section 153A in 1898, making it a crime for anybody to defame the Government of India or incite animosity among social classes, specifically towards the English in India. Nationwide protests were also sparked by this.
  • A number of oppressive laws were passed during the Swadeshi and Boycott Movements and as militant nationalist trends grew.

Tilak And Press In British India

During British rule in India, Bal Gangadhar Tilak played an important role in the fight for freedom. He used his journals, Kesari and Maharatta, to spread anti-imperialist ideas. He also organised celebrations for Ganapati and Shivaji, which helped unite people against British rule. Tilak supported the rights of workers, farmers, and the lower middle class. He even led a boycott of foreign clothing and urged farmers to delay paying taxes if they faced crop failures. When the plague struck in 1897, there was public discontent with the government's actions. Tilak's writings and speeches were used against him, and he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Despite this, he became a national hero and was known as "Lokmanya" for his leadership and commitment to his beliefs.

History Of Press In India

Let us have a look at some important events and newspaper during british rule in India in the given table.

Newspaper/Journal

Year of Establishment

Language

Founder/Editor

Additional Information

Bengal Gazette

1780

English

James Augustus Hicky

First newspaper published in India

Samachar Darpan

1818

Bengali

Serampore Missionary Society

First vernacular newspaper in India

Bombay Samachar

1822

Gujarati

Fardunjee Marzban

Oldest continuously published newspaper in India

Hicky's Bengal Gazette

1780

English

James Augustus Hicky

First printing press in India by the British

Conclusion

The press in British India left an indelible mark. It shaped public opinion, fostered nationalism, and promoted social reform. Through vibrant journalism and powerful editorials, the press became a catalyst for change. It documented the struggle for independence and acted as a voice for the oppressed.

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Press In British India FAQs

The press in British India played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and fostering nationalism.

Yes, the press in British India faced censorship and often had to navigate restrictions imposed by the colonial government.

The press documented and highlighted the struggle for independence, acting as a voice for the oppressed and promoting nationalist sentiments.

Yes, publications like The Hindu, Amrita Bazar Patrika, and journalists like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Dadabhai Naoroji were influential in British India

The press's legacy reminds us of the power of information, the fight for truth, and the importance of a free and democratic society.
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