Unit 2: Origin & Growth of Journalism in India (with Special Reference to Hindi Journalism

Origin & Growth of Journalism in India (with Special Reference to Hindi Journalism

Rising & growth of hindi Journalism: 

Journalism in India has a long and interesting history, which is closely linked to the country's political and social evolution. The first newspaper in India, the Bengal Gazette, was published by James Augustus Hicky in 1780. However, it was not until the 19th century that journalism began to take root in India.

During the colonial period, the British used newspapers to propagate their views and policies. The first Indian-owned newspaper, The Bombay Samachar, was launched in 1822. It was followed by several other newspapers in English and other Indian languages.

The growth of journalism in India was closely linked to the country's struggle for independence. Newspapers played an important role in spreading awareness and motivating people to join the freedom movement. The Indian National Congress also had its own newspaper, The National Herald, which was started in 1938.

In the early years, journalism was largely restricted to English-language newspapers, and it was only after independence that Hindi journalism began to take off. The Hindi language was still considered inferior to English at the time, and many people were hesitant to read or write in Hindi. However, the popularity of Hindi cinema helped to bring the language into the mainstream. With the rise of Hindi cinema in the 1950s and 60s, Hindi journalism also gained popularity.

The 1970s and 80s were a particularly important period for Hindi journalism. The rise of regional political parties and the emergence of caste-based politics provided a new impetus to Hindi journalism. Many new newspapers were started during this time, including Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, and Dainik Bhaskar. These papers focused on local news and issues that were important to their readers.

The growth of Hindi journalism was not without its challenges. The lack of trained journalists and the absence of a formal journalism education system made it difficult to maintain high standards of reporting. The use of sensational headlines and unverified news stories also became a problem, with some newspapers resorting to yellow journalism to attract readers.

However, in recent years, Hindi journalism has made significant progress. The growth of the internet and social media has provided new opportunities for Hindi journalists to reach a wider audience. Today, there are several Hindi-language news websites and TV channels that cater to a large and diverse audience.

Despite the challenges, Hindi journalism continues to play an important role in shaping public opinion and promoting social awareness in India. It has come a long way from its humble beginnings and has established itself as a thriving industry with a large readership. The rise of Hindi journalism is a testament to the power of language and the importance of local news and issues in shaping public discourse.

Rising of Modern journalism:

Journalism in India has a long and interesting history, which is closely linked to the country's political and social evolution. The first newspaper in India, the Bengal Gazette, was published by James Augustus Hicky in 1780. However, it was not until the 19th century that journalism began to take root in India.

During the colonial period, the British used newspapers to propagate their views and policies. The first Indian-owned newspaper, The Bombay Samachar, was launched in 1822. It was followed by several other newspapers in English and other Indian languages.

The growth of journalism in India was closely linked to the country's struggle for independence. Newspapers played an important role in spreading awareness and motivating people to join the freedom movement. The Indian National Congress also had its own newspaper, The National Herald, which was started in 1938.

In the early years, journalism was largely restricted to English-language newspapers, and it was only after independence that regional language journalism began to take off. Hindi journalism began to gain popularity with the rise of Hindi cinema in the 1950s and 60s. With the popularity of Hindi cinema, Hindi journalism also gained popularity, and several Hindi newspapers were started during this time.

The growth of modern journalism in India can be attributed to the liberalization of the Indian economy in the 1990s. This led to the growth of private media companies, which invested heavily in news and entertainment. The introduction of satellite television in India in the early 1990s brought about a revolution in the media industry, and several news channels were launched during this time.

The rise of the internet and social media in the 21st century has provided new opportunities for modern journalism in India. Today, there are several news websites and social media platforms that are popular among young Indians. This has led to the emergence of new forms of journalism, such as citizen journalism and online journalism.

Despite the challenges faced by the media industry, modern journalism in India continues to play an important role in shaping public opinion and promoting social awareness. The rise of modern journalism is a testament to the power of media and the importance of free and independent journalism in a democratic society.

Journalism in 19th Century:

The origin and growth of journalism in India can be traced back to the 19th century. During this period, India was under British rule, and the British used newspapers as a tool to propagate their views and policies.

The first Indian-owned newspaper, The Bengal Gazette, was launched by James Augustus Hicky in 1780. However, it was not until the 19th century that journalism began to take root in India. The first newspaper in India to be published in an Indian language was the Samachar Darpan, which was published in Bengali in 1818.

During the 19th century, journalism in India was largely restricted to English-language newspapers. The British government controlled most of the newspapers, and the few that were not controlled by the government were often critical of British policies. The first Indian-owned newspaper in English was The Hindu, which was launched in 1878 by a group of nationalists.

In the late 19th century, Indian nationalism began to take shape, and newspapers played an important role in spreading nationalist ideas. The Indian National Congress also had its own newspaper, The National Herald, which was started in 1938.

Hindi journalism began to gain prominence in the late 19th century, with the launch of several Hindi newspapers such as the Hindi Milap and the Hindi Pracharini. These newspapers played an important role in spreading nationalist ideas among the Hindi-speaking population.

In the early years, Hindi journalism was largely influenced by the literary traditions of Hindi literature. However, with the rise of Hindi cinema in the 1950s and 60s, Hindi journalism also gained popularity. The popularity of Hindi cinema led to the launch of several Hindi film magazines, which became very popular among Hindi-speaking audiences.

The growth of Hindi journalism in the 19th century was closely linked to the growth of Indian nationalism. Newspapers played an important role in spreading nationalist ideas and promoting social awareness. Hindi journalism provided a voice to the Hindi-speaking population, which was often ignored by the English-language press. Today, Hindi journalism continues to play an important role in shaping public opinion and promoting social awareness in India.

Journalism & Renaissance:

Journalism in India played a crucial role during the period of Renaissance in India. The period of Renaissance in India was marked by social and cultural reform movements, which aimed at bringing about social and political change in the country. Journalism played an important role in spreading the ideas of these reform movements and in promoting social awareness among the people.

During the period of Renaissance, journalism in India underwent a significant transformation. The first Indian-owned newspaper in English, The Bengal Gazette, was launched in 1780 by James Augustus Hicky. However, it was not until the 19th century that journalism began to take root in India.

In the early years, journalism in India was largely restricted to English-language newspapers, which were often controlled by the British government. However, with the rise of nationalism in the late 19th century, Indian-owned newspapers began to emerge. These newspapers played an important role in promoting nationalist ideas and in spreading social awareness among the people.

Hindi journalism also played a crucial role during the period of Renaissance in India. The growth of Hindi journalism can be traced back to the late 19th century, with the launch of several Hindi newspapers such as the Hindi Milap and the Hindi Pracharini. These newspapers played an important role in spreading nationalist ideas among the Hindi-speaking population.

During the period of Renaissance, journalism in India became more focused on social and political issues. Newspapers played an important role in highlighting social and cultural issues such as caste discrimination, women's rights, and education. The newspapers also provided a platform for the social reformers to voice their opinions and ideas.

The emergence of the Indian National Congress in 1885 also gave a new impetus to journalism in India. The Congress had its own newspaper, The National Herald, which played an important role in promoting nationalist ideas and in spreading social awareness among the people.

In conclusion, journalism played a crucial role during the period of Renaissance in India. The growth of Indian-owned newspapers and the emergence of Hindi journalism provided a voice to the people and played an important role in promoting social and political change in the country. The newspapers played a key role in spreading the ideas of the social reformers and in promoting social awareness among the people.

Freedom movement & Journalism:

The period of India's freedom movement was marked by an upsurge in journalism, with newspapers and other publications playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for the movement. Hindi journalism, in particular, played an important role during the freedom struggle, providing a platform for nationalist ideas and promoting social awareness among the Hindi-speaking population.

The first Indian-owned newspaper in English, The Bengal Gazette, was launched in 1780 by James Augustus Hicky. However, it was not until the 19th century that journalism began to take root in India. During the period of India's freedom movement, several nationalist newspapers were launched, which played an important role in spreading the message of independence and mobilizing support for the movement.

Hindi journalism played a crucial role during the freedom movement, with several newspapers and magazines being launched in Hindi to cater to the Hindi-speaking population. The newspapers played an important role in promoting nationalist ideas and in spreading social awareness among the people.

The launch of Gandhi's newspaper, Harijan, in 1932 marked a new phase in the freedom movement and in the role of journalism in India. The newspaper was aimed at promoting the cause of the untouchables, and played an important role in mobilizing support for their rights. The newspaper also highlighted the issue of Indian independence and played a key role in shaping public opinion on the matter.

Several other newspapers and magazines were also launched during the freedom movement, which played an important role in spreading nationalist ideas and in mobilizing support for the movement. These newspapers provided a platform for the nationalist leaders to voice their opinions and ideas and helped in shaping public opinion on the matter.

In 1942, the British government banned several newspapers and magazines that were critical of British policies. However, the nationalist newspapers continued to be published underground, with journalists risking their lives to ensure that the message of independence continued to be spread.

In conclusion, the period of India's freedom movement saw a significant growth in journalism, with newspapers and other publications playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for the movement. Hindi journalism, in particular, played an important role in promoting nationalist ideas and in spreading social awareness among the people. The newspapers provided a platform for the nationalist leaders to voice their opinions and ideas and helped in shaping public opinion on the matter.

Hindi Journalism of Uttar Pradesh:

Hindi journalism in Uttar Pradesh (UP) played a significant role in shaping public opinion and promoting social awareness among the Hindi-speaking population of the state. Uttar Pradesh has a rich tradition of Hindi literature, and it was natural that the state would become a hub of Hindi journalism as well.

The first Hindi newspaper in India, Udant Martand, was launched in 1826 in Calcutta (now Kolkata) by Pt. Jugal Kishore Shukla. However, it was not until the latter part of the 19th century that Hindi journalism began to take root in UP.

One of the earliest Hindi newspapers in UP was the Sudha Chandrika, launched in 1877 by Munshi Raghunandan. The newspaper was aimed at promoting social reform and spreading awareness among the people. Sudha Chandrika was followed by several other Hindi newspapers in the state, including the Benares Akhbar, launched in 1880, and the Aaj, launched in 1888.

The early Hindi newspapers in UP were focused on promoting social reform and spreading education among the masses. They played a crucial role in promoting literacy and encouraging people to take an interest in social issues. The newspapers also provided a platform for Hindi writers to showcase their work and to promote Hindi literature.

In the early 20th century, Hindi journalism in UP underwent a transformation, with newspapers taking on a more political role. This was due to the growing nationalist movement in the country and the role played by the press in promoting the idea of independence from British rule.

Several nationalist newspapers were launched in UP during this period, including the Swadesh, launched in 1903, and the Hindustan, launched in 1908. These newspapers played a key role in promoting the idea of Indian independence and in mobilizing support for the movement.

During the freedom movement, several other newspapers were launched in UP, including the Pratap, launched in 1912, and the Swaraj, launched in 1921. These newspapers provided a platform for nationalist leaders to voice their opinions and ideas, and helped in shaping public opinion on the matter.

In the post-independence period, Hindi journalism in UP continued to grow and evolve, with newspapers focusing on a range of issues, from politics and social reform to sports and entertainment. Some of the prominent Hindi newspapers in UP today include Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, and Hindustan.

In conclusion, Hindi journalism in Uttar Pradesh played a significant role in promoting social awareness and shaping public opinion among the Hindi-speaking population of the state. The early Hindi newspapers in the state were focused on promoting social reform and spreading education among the masses, while the nationalist newspapers played a key role in promoting the idea of Indian independence and in mobilizing support for the movement. Hindi journalism in UP continues to evolve and thrive today, with newspapers focusing on a range of issues that are important to the people of the state.

Hindi Journalism of Kashi:

Kashi, also known as Varanasi, is one of the oldest and most culturally rich cities in India. It has a long history of Hindi journalism, dating back to the late 19th century. The city has been a hub of Hindi literature, and it was natural that it would become a center of Hindi journalism as well.

The first Hindi newspaper in Kashi was the Sudha Chandrika, launched in 1877 by Munshi Raghunandan. The newspaper was aimed at promoting social reform and spreading awareness among the people. Sudha Chandrika was followed by several other Hindi newspapers in the city, including the Sarathi, launched in 1880, and the Karmayogi, launched in 1890.

In the early 20th century, Hindi journalism in Kashi underwent a transformation, with newspapers taking on a more political role. This was due to the growing nationalist movement in the country and the role played by the press in promoting the idea of independence from British rule.

Several nationalist newspapers were launched in Kashi during this period, including the Swadeshi, launched in 1905, and the Bharat Dharma, launched in 1910. These newspapers played a key role in promoting the idea of Indian independence and in mobilizing support for the movement.

During the freedom movement, several other newspapers were launched in Kashi, including the Janata, launched in 1917, and the Pratap, launched in 1924. These newspapers provided a platform for nationalist leaders to voice their opinions and ideas, and helped in shaping public opinion on the matter.

In the post-independence period, Hindi journalism in Kashi continued to grow and evolve, with newspapers focusing on a range of issues, from politics and social reform to sports and entertainment. Some of the prominent Hindi newspapers in Kashi today include the Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, and Hindustan.

Kashi has also been the birthplace of several notable Hindi journalists, including Acharya Narendra Dev, who was the editor of the Bharat Dharma newspaper, and Banarasidas Chaturvedi, who was a prominent Hindi journalist and poet.

In conclusion, Hindi journalism in Kashi has a long and rich history, dating back to the late 19th century. The early Hindi newspapers in the city were focused on promoting social reform and spreading education among the masses, while the nationalist newspapers played a key role in promoting the idea of Indian independence and in mobilizing support for the movement. Hindi journalism in Kashi continues to thrive today, with newspapers focusing on a range of issues that are important to the people of the city.

Literary Journalism:

Literary journalism, also known as narrative journalism or new journalism, is a style of journalism that combines elements of creative writing and reporting to produce stories that are both informative and engaging. It is a genre of journalism that has gained popularity in recent years, but it has its roots in the early days of Hindi journalism in India.

The literary journalism movement in Hindi journalism began in the early 20th century with the emergence of writers such as Munshi Premchand, Agyeya, and Harishankar Parsai, who wrote stories and articles that were both informative and entertaining. These writers used their creative talents to bring a new dimension to journalism, and their work inspired others to follow in their footsteps.

One of the earliest examples of literary journalism in Hindi was the publication of Premchand's short story "Mandi" in the Hindi literary magazine Saraswati in 1920. The story was based on the real-life experiences of farmers in North India and was written in a style that blended fiction and journalism.

In the years that followed, literary journalism in Hindi gained momentum, with writers producing articles and stories that were characterized by their descriptive prose, attention to detail, and use of literary techniques such as metaphor and symbolism. This new style of journalism was aimed at creating a deeper understanding of the world around us and giving readers a more nuanced perspective on issues.

One of the pioneers of literary journalism in Hindi was Agyeya, whose writing was characterized by its poetic quality and its ability to evoke strong emotions in readers. His articles and essays, which appeared in newspapers and magazines such as Dharmayug and Saptahik Hindustan, dealt with a range of issues, from social and political concerns to the complexities of the human condition.

Another prominent figure in the world of literary journalism in Hindi was Harishankar Parsai, whose writing was known for its humor and satire. His articles and stories, which appeared in publications such as Dharmayug and Ravivar, often poked fun at the absurdities of everyday life and were aimed at exposing the hypocrisy and corruption of those in power.

In conclusion, literary journalism in Hindi has a long and rich history, dating back to the early 20th century. The movement was spearheaded by writers such as Munshi Premchand, Agyeya, and Harishankar Parsai, who used their creative talents to produce articles and stories that were both informative and engaging. The legacy of these writers continues to inspire a new generation of journalists in India today.