Question

“The vernacular press act was the main factor which infused the sense of national pride amongst the people of India.” Discuss.

Answer 1

The Vernacular Press Act: The Vernacular Press was the main source which could spread the message of patriotism among the people. It also created economic, social and political awareness among the people. During the second half of the nineteenth century, a number of newspapers, journals, magazines were published in different Indian languages which criticized the British administration, for its indifference towards the welfare of the Indians. Sixty two newspapers were on the scene by 1877, and they enjoyed a wide circulation. Soon the Vernacular Press Act of Lord Lytton in 1878 laid down that the newspaper editors were to sign a bond that they would publish nothing which would create feelings of dissatisfaction against the Government. This was a repressive measure of the British, therefore a wave of bitterness against the British spread. In spite of all restrictions, the Indian Press continued to criticize the British Government. As a result, the Vernacular Press Act was withdrawn by Lord Ripon in 1882, but the Act already had it’s adverse effect on the Indian people who were filled with the spirit of nationalism. Many Indian writers wrote books on patriotism. Bankim Chandra’s famous book ‘Anandamath’ inspired the Indians. The book in Bengali and translated into Marathi, Tamil, Hindi and Urdu, provided great inspiration to the people in uniting Indians.