Niraj Krishna
The word Efimeris (news paper) is mentioned for the first time in the Greek mythology and it was referring to the every day news and decisions of the Greek Gods at Mount Olympous. Efimeris was aslo used in the Troy war as Homer is mentioning in his work Iliada. A person from the island of Crete calle Diktis was publishing the Troyan news.
In the prehistoric era, the art of conveying one’s thoughts through pictorial representations could be regarded as the early stage of communication history. After images, when the journey of human development reached the art of printing through words and then scripts, a significant event occurred in the history of communication—the birth of newspapers.
Our world in the 21st century has become so small that it is now referred to as a global village. The single entity that has contributed the most to making the world so small is information technology. Through the internet and phones, you can communicate with someone on the other side of the world in an instant. You can receive news from there, learn about its events. However, reaching this destination of the communication revolution has been a long journey.
The history of printing dates back to around 175 AD. In China, some printed remains from this period have been found. However, the development of metal type characters took almost six hundred years. Printing through metal type began in Germany around 1450. By 1466, it had reached France, by 1477, England, and by 1495, Portugal. In India, the art of printing reached Goa in 1550 with Portuguese Christian missionaries. But its systematic development began only after the opening of the first press in Kolkata in 1778. ‘Peking Gazette’ from China and ‘Nieuwe Tijdinghe’ (1526) from the Netherlands can be considered as early forms of newspapers. It is difficult to say who introduced the journalism in the world. But in India The concept of journalism was started by James Augustus Hicky at Calcutta in 1780.
Today, Indian journalism has reached the age of two hundred and forty-four (244) years. On this very day, January 29, in the year 1780, the first newspaper was published in India. It was beyond anyone’s imagination that an Irishman engaged in trade under the British government’s umbrella would, on this day, awaken the British government from its slumber by publishing the first newspaper in India and address the issues of Indians vigilantly.
It is surprising that James Augustus Hickey, credited as the father of journalism in India, did not have an interest in journalism and literary writing. As Hickey himself wrote in the newspaper: ‘I have no particular desire to print a newspaper, nor do I have the ability for it. Hard work is not in my nature. Still, I am willing to endure hardship to attain the freedom of mind and soul.’
Hicky was originally a doctor and later started his own business. No one had suggested journalism to him, nor was there any groundwork being laid for this work in India, which could have inspired him. Despite this, he not only published a newspaper with highly relevant content but also instilled in the minds of enraged Indians, angered by the English domination, the idea that the path to freedom would be through newspapers. Thus, an unexpected beginning of journalism took place in this country.
More than 1780 years ago, an individual of Dutch origin attempted to publish newspapers in India but was unsuccessful. At that time, those of Indian origin who were angered by the atrocities of the British government were also unable to give a concrete form to the idea of newspapers. In this entire scenario, a person with no particular interest in journalism took on the task of filling the void of journalism in India. Although Hicky admitted that he had no inherent interest in journalism, experts believe that he excelled in the most essential aspect of the field – ‘News Sense,’ meaning understanding what is news and what is not, which was richly embedded in his work. He himself was unaware of this quality.
On January 29, 1780, James Augustus Hicky published the first Indian newspaper, Bengal Gazette, in English from Calcutta. Its motto was – Open to all, Influenced by none. The ‘Bengal Gazette’ or ‘Calcutta General Advertiser’ that pioneered journalism in India was published weekly in extremely limited resources. The twelve-inch long and eight-inch wide two-page weekly newspaper was quite ordinary in front of the British government, but it created a significant stir. After the journalism of Hicky and his colleagues, Indian revolutionary journalists took full responsibility for this field. For a long time, all Indian journalists propelled this caravan forward.
The most distinctive feature of India’s first newspaper was its clever and satirical language. It blended sharp humor with political news, compressing all the material into two pages. Remarkably, Hicky depicted the neglect of the government towards the local issues of the city of Calcutta with great accuracy. He critically highlighted the pitiable condition of people living in slums in contemporary Calcutta, sharply commenting on the British government’s indifference.
From the streets of the erstwhile British capital, Kolkata, to addressing various issues, Hicky brought them to the forefront. His actions created unrest in the administration to the extent that attempts were made to buy him off, even exposing such dealings. Subsequently, incidents of violence occurred with Hicky, leading to drastic measures like shutting down his newspaper. On the other hand, he faced severe financial difficulties and the heavy burden of supporting several family members.
The editor, the progenitor of the editorial column, is also from the Bengal Gazette, Hikki’s newspaper. This newspaper played a crucial role in expressing the sentiments of the public, highlighting their problems, and giving importance to the articulation of thoughts. It was a democratic mindset.
The newspaper used to publish articles about the personal lives of senior officials of the East India Company. When Hicky criticized the governor’s wife in his newspaper, he was sent to jail for four months and fined 500 rupees. However, Hicky did not refrain from criticizing the rulers, and when he criticized the governor and the chief justice, he was fined 5000 rupees and sentenced to one year in jail. Consequently, his newspaper was also shut down in this manner.
In the issue of March 25, 1780, an article was printed under the name of editor Philan Throps, in which a complaint was made about the filthiness of the Portuguese cemetery in Kolkata. In the early stages, the articles in this newspaper were published in a calm and restrained language, gradually bringing to light the misconduct of East India officials. The weekly newspaper even started to criticize Governor General Warren Hastings.
As a result, Hickey began to face trouble from the government. On November 14, 1780, an order was issued against The Bengal Gazette, or The Calcutta General Advertiser, a weekly newspaper published by J.A. Hickey, stating that objectionable portions violating the tranquility and decency of life have been found in its issues. Therefore, it cannot be allowed to be broadcasted through G.P.O.
Due to his fearless conduct and commitment to conscience, Hickey became a thorn in the side of the East India Company. The harsh criticism of Hastings’ government’s ruling style earned Hickey the reward of imprisonment. Hickey had declared his purpose – he found pleasure in putting his body in bondage for the freedom of his mind and soul. The announcement of rebellion marked the beginning of the newspaper. Hickey was the first journalist in India to struggle against the British government for the freedom of the press. However, due to the atrocities of the British government, Hickey’s newspaper could not run for more than two years. It was closed on March 30, 1782.
The issues of this first newspaper published from January 29, 1780, to March 16, 1782, are now rare. In the rare book collection section of the National Library, Kolkata, only the issues of January 29, 1780, and January 5, 1782, are available. Another issue of this newspaper is also preserved in the Satpura Museum, Bhopal, dated March 11, 1780.
William, an admirer of Hickey’s boldness, brought out the Bengal Gazette and demonstrated attitudes similar to Hickey. The story of Hickey’s audacity has been documented by Andrew Otis in his book ‘Hicky’s Bengal Gazette: The Untold Story of India’s First Newspaper.
There are various opinions regarding the inception of Hickey’s newspapers. Some scholars believe that there were deep differences with the then Governor General Warren Hastings, which led to him becoming outspoken. However, the crucial aspect in this entire scenario is that Hickey highlighted discrimination against Indians with vehemence. It was through his efforts that journalism took root in India, later evolving into a banyan tree under whose shade the seeds of revolution against British rule sprouted.
During this period, the publication of other English newspapers also took place, such as ‘Calcutta Courier’ in Bengal, ‘Asiatic Mirror’ and ‘Oriental Star’ in Madras, ‘Madras Courier’ and ‘Herald’ in Madras, and ‘Bombay Gazette’ in Bombay. In 1818, British merchant James Silk Buckingham edited the ‘Calcutta Journal.’ Buckingham was the first publisher to present the press as a reflection of public opinion. The modern form of the press owes much to James Silk Buckingham.
Hicky and Buckingham hold significant positions in the history of journalism. They presented examples of impartial journalism and independent writing, attracting journalists towards journalism. By giving birth to independent and impartial journalism, they encouraged journalists to embrace journalism. It was Buckingham who transformed the press into a mirror of public sentiment, and the modern form of the press is indebted to him.
The first phase of the development of journalism in India is considered to be from 1780 to 1826. During this period, the pioneer of Indian journalism, Raja Rammohan Roy, emerged. While he published several newspapers, ‘Samvad Kaumudi’ and ‘Miratul Akhbar’ were successful in awakening the dormant consciousness of India. The second phase, seen from 1885 to 1920, witnessed many renowned Indian personalities practicing robust journalism. After this, with the rise of Mahatma Gandhi, the torch of journalism during the freedom struggle burned brightly until 1947. Even after independence, the momentum of development continued without hindrance.
This incident marks the first clash between a news journal and the government in the field of journalism in India. It can be said that Hicky deserves credit not only as the ‘ Shri Ganesha’ of journalism in India but also for standing up against the system and paying the price for the freedom of expression.
In 1799, Lord Wellesley, through the Press Regulation Act, imposed control on all newspapers, making it mandatory to disclose the name of the editor, printer, and owner on the newspaper. Lord Hastings abolished this act in 1818. In 1823, Acting Governor General Adams made it mandatory to obtain a license before establishing a printing press and publishing house by formulating the Licensing Regulations.
Governor-General William Bentinck had a liberal perspective towards Indian newspapers. After Bentinck, Acting Chairman Charles Metcalfe is referred to as the liberator of newspapers. Metcalfe repealed the 1923 Act and implemented the Liberation of the Indian Press Act in 1935, which required printers and publishers only to provide information about the place of publication.
After the 1857 revolt, the Licensing Act of 1857 was reinstated. In 1867, the Registration Act was passed, making it mandatory for every book and newspaper to mention the name of the printer, publisher, and printing location.
Among the laws enacted to restrict newspapers, the Vernacular Press Act of 1818 was the most perilous. The Vernacular Act had a significant impact on the independence of newspapers in regional languages. This act empowered the District Magistrate to obtain the signature on bond paper from any newspaper in an Indian language, ensuring that no material contrary to the government would be printed.
