© 2019 JETIR May 2019, Volume 6, Issue 5 www.jetir.

org (ISSN-2349-5162)

ROLE OF PRESS IN THE INDIAN NATIONAL

MOVEMENT
Dr. C.Godwinsam,
Assistant Professor,
Department of History,
Nesamoney Memorial Christian College,
Marthandam

ABSTRACT

The period between 1858 and 1919 thus witnessed not merely the nascence but also the vigorous

adolescence of Indian nationalism. The press played a significant role in initiating socio-religious reform

movements in an organized form. Moreover, it was this very class that provided the pioneers of political

awakening that finally resulted in the emergence of nationalism and national movement. As the most effective

mass media, the press performed a significant role in the formation and promotion of political organizations

in this regard. The press has its origins in the ancient spy and communication systems. Before the invention

of ink and paper, the importance of News was clearly understood. The ancient rulers were curious about

gathering news as it was essential for administration and for the people it was a means of obtaining

information. The Indian press, undoubtedly acted as a vehicle of propaganda for radical ideas and helped to

be the formation of a growing body of reformist and nationalist ideas and kept alive a debate on issues like the

female infanticide, widowhood, the child marriage expensive marriage system, prostitution, untouchability,

superstition and issues such as an official extravagance, taxation, racial arrogance of the British Government

and European community, the Indianization of services and Indian representation in the legislative institution.

Several newspapers, magazines and journals made their appearance. The 18th and 19th century became

prominent because of the emergence of socio-religious, politico-economic and intellectual activities in various

parts of the country, especially in Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Through the press there emerged the concept of

economic awakening which ultimately became a challenge to the colonial government in the country. Thus

press at one stage became a mighty weapon in the hands of Indian nationalists, particularly the youth of the

country to integrate individuals of all the provinces for the national cause.

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KEY WORDS

Indian nationalism - Socio-religious - Reform movements - Political awakening - Political

organizations - Communication systems – Administration – Propaganda – Indianization - British Government

- European community – Vernacular Press

Introduction:

The period between 1858 and 1919 thus witnessed not merely the nascence but also the vigorous

adolescence of Indian nationalism. Awakened Indian intelligentsia was duly supported by a commercial and

incipient industrial bourgeoisie in their programme of emancipation. The press played a significant role in

initiating socio-religious reform movements in an organized form. Moreover, it was this very class that

provided the pioneers of political awakening that finally resulted in the emergence of nationalism and national

movement. This section provided the vanguard of political awakening that grew within no time in strength as

well as in number. They used the press with increasing effectiveness. The period was characterized by the

growing politicization of the Indian Press. Initially, it was only certain newspapers that contributed a

substantial part of their space to political issues.

Press as a Mass Media:

The ancient rulers were curious about gathering news as it was essential for administration and for the

people it was a means of obtaining information. The early Hindu rulers use to maintain an elaborate espionage

system for the collection and transmission of news for state purposes. They used to collect information for

administration and political importance not only within the kingdom but also from neighbouring kingdoms.

As the most effective mass media, the press performed a significant role in the formation and promotion of

political organizations in this regard. It was especially due to two factors political associations and societies

were dependent on the press for dissemination of common ideas and ideologies; secondly, since none of the

initial political associations or societies commanded ready loyalty from a sizeable section of the populace in

different parts of the country. The press has its origins in the ancient spy and communication systems. Before

the invention of ink and paper, the importance of News was clearly understood. The enlightened Indians took

interest in the publication of newspapers in vernacular languages by the influence of Christian Missionaries.

Press as a Vehicle of Propaganda:

The Indian press, undoubtedly acted as a vehicle of propaganda for radical ideas and helped to be the

formation of a growing body of reformist and nationalist ideas and kept alive a debate on issues like the female
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infanticide, widowhood, the child marriage expensive marriage system, prostitution, untouchability,

superstition and issues such as an official extravagance, taxation, racial arrogance of the British Government

and European community, the Indianization of services and Indian representation in the legislative institution.

Most of the papers, moreover, were concerned largely with local affairs. However, in due course of time, there

occurred a marked shift in their interest and approach towards larger political matters. Common issues began

to emerge, their discussion, particularly in the vernacular press, began to produce a considerable consensus of

views on these issues.

During the first half of the 19th century, the press in India as well as in Tamil Nadu was in its infancy.

Several newspapers, magazines and journals made their appearance. Many of them had a temporary life. Then

the episode of 1857 occurred. It disclosed the drawbacks of the East India Company’s rule. The frustration of

the ruler and the ruled was highlighted by it. This event ended the Company’s administration. As a result of

it, the Government of India was transferred to the British Crown with the Queen’s proclamation- a Magna Cart

in 1858. This restored public trust and confidence. The press and journalism had suffered a temporary setback.

It once again came to life with reviewed vigor and courage. The government henceforth became especially

alert and active in different walks of life so that British imperialism might be consolidated. This set in motion

several significant changes within the society of Tamil Nadu and Indian society as well as in the national

process of its build-up. Causes both internal and external led to the emergence of awakening in the public. Let

it be stated that expansion of socio-religious movements, frequent famines, increasing economic distress, the

spread of English education, the liberation and unification of Germany and Italy in the years 1870-1871, Irish

Home Rule movement, expansion of western domination in Africa and Asia were some of the major factors

which were responsible for the transformation in the thinking individuals during the freedom movement. The

transformation could be achieved through press and journalism. Indeed, it had a causal relationship with the

emerging public view; the two not merely interacted, too became interdependent in enough measure.

The 18th and 19th century became prominent because of the emergence of socio-religious, politico-

economic and intellectual activities in various parts of the country, especially in Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

During the third quarter of the 19th century many organizations, like Bhama Samaj, the Arya Samaj, the Rama-

Krishana Mission, the Prathana Samaj, Shudi Movement, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, the Kooka Movement,

Singh Sabha Movement, Ahmdya Movement and several others emerged and gained fresh ground. All most

all these organizations had their papers. Soon, many news societies, leagues debating clubs and associations
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sprang into existence. These institutions could popularize their ideologies missions, aims and objectives

through the vernacular and Anglo-Indian press. It is worth mentioning that different community’ organization

and political associations founded their press (Newspapers, Magazines, etc.). The period under review too

witnessed the emergence of a few leading political organizations like the Indian Association, the Madras

Mahajan Sabha, the Bombay Presidency Association, the Indian Union and then of course the Indian National

Congress, on December 25th, 1885. All of these associations, irrespective of their characters, aim and

objectives felt and understood the advantages and use of the press. They managed their newspapers and

journals. After 1857, the most important evolution that took place was the relationship between the Anglo-

Indian Press and the people of India. During 1858-85 the history of press and journalism had special

significance because of several reasons. Not only educated and thoughtful individuals were attracted to them,

rather a wide gulf derived them away from their English counterparts.

Vernacular Press:

The vernacular press especially resented the truth that the assemblage was not used as an occasion for

making some substantial concessions to the people of India. A notable feature in this respect was the

emergence of the vernacular press. The vernacular and also Anglo-Indian press alone was capable of producing

a medium of agreement during most of the second half of the 19th century. It challenged comparison with the

English press. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s paper Som Prakash rivaled several established papers. The

Registrar of the Bengal Secretariat in his confidential report acknowledged its editor's ability and boldness. In

the post-1857 period, the vernacular press faced several formidable difficulties. The editors could not boast of

university degrees. Before entering into the journalistic profession, they had to try several other avenues of

earning. It, however, provided them with a better understanding of society and made them more responsive to

the public emotions and aspirations. No love was lost between the administration and native editors.

The police and the magistracy made use of their rough and tough methods against the editors of the

vernacular papers on account of the weaker socio-economic position. It was believed that the publication of

vernacular papers was not a profitable business. Their circulation was inhabited by many factors. For example,

First, the region in which that particular vernacular was spoken; secondly the stratum to which its clientele

belonged was financially not well of, rather poorer and so the subscriptions remained in arrears. Therefore,

pathetic appeals had to be made to the defaulters in the columns of the newspapers. Those days practice of

publishing vernaculars journals as associates of the English language papers was not in vogue and poorly
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equipped vernacular papers could ill afford to subscribe to Reuter and to employ correspondents. Perforce it

attempted to pry into the official secrets through the clerks and the officers was driven to frenzy by such

attitude of the journals.

The Attitude of the Press:

The press stated that the political agitation should be made strong in India and the Indians should forget

the hatred that existed among different religious groups in the country. When Gandhi launched the non-

cooperation and Khilafat agitation, the nationalist English and vernacular press in the Presidency played a vital

role in moulding the public opinion in favour of the movements. The papers observed that Gandhi and the

Congress advocated non-cooperation to attain liberty, self-respect and self-determination. It was a movement

of principles and if they cooperate with the Government instead of starting such agitation, the world would

laugh at the people of India. The boycott of Government schools, law courts, Legislative Councils and foreign

goods could not be separated from the Non-Cooperation Movement. Papers like the Madras Mail, New India,

Justice and Dravidian indulged in propaganda work against the Non-Cooperation Movement.

The Dravidian observed that "whether in a Monarchy or a Republic the people should obey the laws

and regulations framed by the Government. Peace can reign in the country, only if these laws are respected”.

If the laws of the land are discarded, there will be unrest, disorder, injustice and heinous crimes everywhere

in the country. The Hindu and the Justice attributed the outbreak of the Malabar Rebellion to the Khilafat

agitation in the Malabar area and warned that the Malabar trouble was a indication of Swaraj. The Justice held

that the murder, rape and forced conversions were the inevitable outcomes of Gandhi's tactics. The nationalist

English and vernacular papers, however, totally denied the theory, that the outbreak was due to the preaching

of non-co-operators. They clearly stated that it was 'unjust orders and irresponsible conduct of the district

officials' that led to trouble. They further added that the fire of fanaticism of the Moplahs had been fanned by

the reckless propaganda of certain persons. To assuage the feelings of people in the Madras Presidency, the

Prince of Wales landed at the Madras harbour on 13th January 1922. The Anglo-Indian papers together with

the Justice organs, the whole of Malayalam papers with a few exceptions and the South Kanarese non-Brahmin

organs welcomed the visit of the Prince of Wales while, the Hindu, Swadesamitran, Andhra Patrika, Krishna

Patrika, Hittakarni, the nationalist Urdu and Kanarese PaPers condemned the visit of the Prince of Wales.

However, some nationalist papers gave equal prominence to the engagements of the Prince of Wales. The

press was largely responsible for the success of the boycott of the Prince of Wales.
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When Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement as a sequel to the Chauri-Chaura incident,

the press stood divided over this development. Nationalist.English and vernacular press like, Swadesamitran,

Tamil Nadu and Andhra Patrika opposed the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement, whereas the pro-

Congress press like the Navasakti and Ooliyan supported the decision of the Congress Working Committee.

Whatever may be viewpoints of the press in the Presidency, the majority of them stood united in opposing the

repressive measures of the Government. The loyalist papers like the Dravidian supported the Government and

wrote against the national movement. The reason is clear and simple for they had their ax to grind.

Role of the Press:

The Press, thus, had a casual relationship with the emergence of new politics in India. On one side, it

influenced the growth of political awakening and made possible the spread of political consciousness. The

press especially shared common ideas and ideologies at a time when it was the most effective mass medium

available to the people. On the other hand, the nature of the Indian Press was itself affected by contemporary

politics. This mutuality of interaction was continuous. There was no aspect of the Indian political scene that

was not discussed at length by the native press. Moreover, faithfully reflecting the plurality of Indian society,

the Indian Press carried a variety of reactions to these different issues. But the native press did more than only

reflect reactions. It also made possible the coalescence of these many reactions into broad crystallized

categories without which united political action of any kind would have remained impossibility. But these

organizations, it may be submitted, with a degree of certainty, could not have been viable propositions without

the merit of an effective mass media that the press provided them. It is true that without the emergence of

political or quasi-political associations and societies such crystallization would scarcely have been possible.

That was how the native and vernacular press and the Indian political development had a mutually casual

relationship.

Socio-Cultural Transformation:

The press brought socio-cultural and politico-economic transformation not only in Tamil Nadu but it

could be noticed at national and international levels. Throughout it has been considered the fourth estate and

pillar in the modem times. The press, indeed, succeeded to a large extent in founding the ideological foundation

of modem Tamil Nadu and also of modem India. The press, particularly the vernacular acted as a might media
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through which individuals, organizations and institutions not only exchanged their ideas, ideologies, isms and

thoughts, rather formulated new phenomena in the shortest possible span. It acted as a powerful mirror of

society as well as a mighty social institution that often reflected the viewpoint of individuals. The press not

only laid the foundation of the nation-state, rather created feelings of nationalism, secularism and pro-public

administration i.e. self-governing institutions in India. Keeping its worth and important role in all walks of

life, the press became very essential to evaluate and assess the role of the Tamil Nadu press in the first phase

of India’s freedom struggle during the period under review. Through the co-operation and assistance of press,

conferences, meetings and congregations could be held from time to time; controversies could be settled,

movements organized, institutions build-up and their programmes and policies could reach the masses. The

middle and professional class was indeed the product of the education system given by the British. However,

it cannot be denied that the press played an equally significant role in the beginning about the said class into

existence.

Conclusion:

Through the press there emerged the concept of economic awakening which ultimately became a

challenge to the colonial government in the country. Several leaders at the national as well as provincial levels

of Tamil Nadu started their public careers through this media and constituted their identities not only at the

provincial level, instead of at the national level as well. Thus press at one stage became a mighty weapon in

the hands of Indian nationalists, particularly the youth of the country to integrate individuals of all the

provinces for the national cause. This was an obvious reason that the press of Tamil Nadu did not remain

confined or isolated to a particular region. Almost all the Indian leaders may be belonging to any province

considered freedom of the press very essential for the overall progress of the country. Besides, the press

worked like an opposition faction as the political party system had not yet been fully developed during 1885-

1916. It is fact, the press considerably opposed the oppressive and exploitive policies of the colonial regime

in India. Thus, credit must go to the west that knew its importance in bringing about transformation in all

walks of life. With the opening of the British rule in India in the mid of 18th century, she did not have any

kind of press.

REFERENCE

Abul Kalam Azad, India Wins Freedom, Bombay, 1958.

Ambika Charan Mazumdar, Indian National Evolution, Madras, 1915.

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Amot Stanford, History of the Indian Press, New Delhi, 1829.

Anthony Smith, The Newspaper - An International and History, London, 1979.

Bams, Margarita, The Indian Press, Bombay, 1940.

Banerjee, W.R., Indian Politics, Calcutta, 1898.

Birdwood, Sir George, The Native Press of India, New Delhi, 1879.

Chalapathi, M., The Press in India, New Delhi, 1968.

Chatterji, A.C., India’s Struggle for Freedom, 1947.

Chintamani, C.Y., Indian Politics Since the Mutiny, Madras, 1937.

Desai, A.R., Social Background of Indian Nationalism, Bombay, 1948.

George, T.J.S., The Provincial Press in India, New Delhi, 1982.

Krishnamurthi, Nadig, Indian Journalism, University of Mysore, Mysore, 1966.

Majumdar, R.C., History of the Freedom Movement in India, Vol. I, Calcutta, 1963.

Mani, A.D., Journalism in India, New Delhi, 1970

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Prem Shankar Khara, The Growth of Press and Public Opinion in India. Allahabad, 1976.

Rangaswamy Iyengar, A. The Newspapers Press in India, Bangalore City, 1933.

Sushela Aggarwal, Press, Public Opinion of Government of India, Jaipur, 1976.

Viswanath Iyer, The Indian press, Madras, 1945.

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