7. Print Culture & the Modern World
Learning objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Development of print culture and the circulation of ideas
Spread of education and social reforms
Rise of nationalism
Emergence of women publishers
Guttenberg’s Printing Press
Advanced Printers of today
Brief concept of the Lesson
1. The First Printed Books – The system of hand printing began first in China and introduced
into Japan and Korea Macro Polo the great explorer brought the knowledge of hand printing
technology to Italy which spread to other parts of Europe.
2. Gutenberg & the Printing Press - He invented the Printing Press and the first book
he printed was the Bible. The Printing Presses were setup in most countries of Europe between
1450 & 1550. As a result printed books flooded the markets in Europe. Thus the print revolution
began.
3. Print Revolution & its Impact 
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Reduced the cost of books
Multiple copies can be produced at greater speed
Reduced time & labour
Replaced oral tradition
o Books flooded the markets
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A shift from hearing public to a reading public
Printers published popular ballads and folk tales for the common people
4. Religious Debates and the Fear of Print 
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Persuaded the people to think differently & move them to action
Many were apprehensive of the effects of book on people’s mind and their reaction
Introduced a new world of ideas & debate
wrote 95 theses against catholic church & later church was divided into Catholics &
Protestants
5. Development of new strategies 1.Pedlars carried little books for sale in villages
2. Almanacs,or ritual calendars, ballads and folktales were sold
3. Reading matter for entertainment reached ordinary people
4.Chapmen sold chapbooks for a penny in England
5.In France “Biliotheque Bleue, small books for poor were printed
6. Periodicals, newspapers and journals carried information
7. Ideas of scientists and philosophers became accessible to common people
8.Shilling series were sold in England
6. Print culture and the French Revolution
Three arguments:
1. Rule of reason and rationality rather than custom
2. A new culture of dialogue and debate against the existing ideas and beliefs
3. Questions raised on the existing social order
7. Print & Dissent
Manocchio reinterpreted a view of God & Creation that angered the Church & he was executed.
Church imposed heavy restriction on printers
It started to maintain an Index of Prohibited Books
8. The Nineteenth Century – children, women & workers
The print recorded old tales but also changed them
Eliot etc
middle class
Growth of self expression
9. Innovations in printing press
Richard M Hoe of New York perfected the power driven cylindrical press. It was more useful in
printing newspaper
10. Print comes to India
Printing press came to Goa with the Portuguese missionaries
A Hickey began to edit Bengal Gazette
Gangadhar Bhattahary was the first Indian to start newspaper called Bengal Gazette
11. Religious Reform & Public Debates
Debate over religious reforms took center stage in the 19th century
Intense debates went on over widow immolation, monotheism, Brahmanical priesthood &
idolatory
Sambad Kaumudi, Samachar Chandrika, Jam – i- Jahan, Shamsul Akbar & Bombay Samachar
were leading publications of that day
The Muslims used cheap lithographic press to publish scriptures in Persian & Urdu to counter the
moves of the colonial power
life
Growth of vernacular languages
Naval Kishore Press & Sri Venkateshwar Presspublished various religious texts in vernaculars
nt communities
12. New Forms of Publication
- lyrics, short stories, essays about social & political matters & new
emphasis on human lives became part of the literature
Visual images could be easily reproduced in multiples
Caricatures & cartoons were published in journals & newspaper ridiculing the educated Indians’
fascination with western tastes & clothes
13. Print & Poor People
It was prestigious matter for the rich to set library
-treatment to the low caste
Chhote Aur Bade Ka Saval of Kashibaba exposed the link between caste & class exploitation
Sudarshan Chakr published a collection called Sachchi Kavitayan
14. Print & Censorship
the Company & its officials
regulation on press freedom in 1820s
Vernacular Press Act was passed to regulate the vernacular press as it was assertively
nationalistic
Important Terms
Calligraphy: the art of beautiful & stylized writing
Vellum: A parchment made from the skin of animals
Ulama: Legal scholars of Islam & the sharia
Fatwa: A legal pronouncement on Islamic law usually given by a Mufti to clarify issues on
which the law is uncertain
Despotism: A system of governance in which absolute power is exercised by an individual,
unregulated by legal & constitutional checks
Denominations: Sub groups within a religion
Almanac: An annual publication giving astronomical data, information about the movements of
the sun & moon, timing of full tides & eclipses, and much else that was of importance in the
everyday life of people
Chapbook: A term used to describe pocket size books that are sold by traveling pedlars called
chapmen. These became popular from the time of the 16th century print revolution
Protestant Reformation: A 16th century movement to reform the Catholic Church dominated by
Rome. Several traditions of anti-Catholic Christianity developed out of the movement
Inquisition: A former Roman Catholic court for identifying & punishing heretics
Heretical: Beliefs which do not follow the accepted teachings of the Church. In medieval times,
heresy was seen as a threat to the right of the Church to decide on what should be believed &
what should not. Heretical beliefs were severely punished
Satiety: The state of being fulfilled much beyond the point of satisfaction
Seditious: Action, speech or writing that is seen as opposing the government
Ballad: A historical account or folk tale in verse, usually sung or recited
Taverns: Places where people gathered to drink alcohol, to be served food & to meet friends &
exchange news
Questions & Answers
1.
Ans.
Where did the print technology begin in the world & how?
China, Japan, Korea
Rubbing paper against the inked surface of woodblocks
2.
Ans.
Which is the oldest Japanese book? When was it printed?
Diamond Sutra in 868A D
3.
Ans.
What is called ukiyo? Who developed it?
Pictures of floating world or depiction of ordinary experiences. Kitagawa Utamaro
developed it.
Who developed printing press? Which country does he belong to?
Johann Gutenberg, Germany
What were the merits of print books?
a
The ideas of scientists & philosophers now became more accessible
They were sources of spreading progress & enlightenment.
4.
Ans.
5.
Ans.
c
the people to think & act differently
d
e)
f)
g)
6.
Reduced the cost of books
Time & labour required to produce books was reduced
Rural folk acquired new forms
How did the print culture create the conditions for French Revolution? Explain
superstition & despotism. Everything should be judged through the application of reason
& nationality.
reevaluated & discussed by the public.
questioned the existing social orders. Cartoons were published depicting the monarch as
involved in sensual pleasures.
7.
What were the drawbacks of manuscripts?
Could not meet the increasing demand
Expensive & fragile, laborious and time consuming
Awkward to handle
Difficult to read and carry
Errors were caused while writing
Limited number of copies were available
Extra Questions:
1. How did Martin Luther’s writings bring the Protestant Reformation?
2. What were the new strategies adopted by printers and publishers to sell their products?
3. The print culture created the conditions within which French revolutions occurred? Support
the arguments of historians on this statement.
4. What were the contributions of scientists in the development of popular literature?
5. Enumerate the series of innovations which had taken place in printing technology.
6. Describe the importance of manuscript in India.
7. Make a list of social reformers and their publications.
8. Throw light on the contribution of Indian women in publication.
9. What were the restrictions imposed on Indian press after the revolt of 1857?