Chapter - 5 - "Print Culture and the Modern World"

Chapter - 5  - "Print Culture and the Modern World"

1. The First Printed Books

• Earliest printing technology:
• China, Japan, Korea – Woodblock printing.

In China:

• Books printed by hand.
• Rich people read books; civil service examinations increased demand for books.
• Sanghai become the hub of the new print culture
• Buddhist missionaries spread printing to Japan and Korea.
• Calligarph:- The art of beautiful and stylised writing.

1.1 Print in Japan

Introduction of Printing in Japan

• Printing arrived in Japan from China through Buddhist missionaries around the 8th century.
• Buddhist texts were the first printed materials.
• Oldest Japanese printed book:
• The Diamond Sutra (868 CE).

Edo Period and Printing

• Edo is the old name for Tokyo.
• During the Edo period, printing flourished.
• Demand for books increased because:
• Urbanization.
• High literacy among samurai, merchants, and townspeople.
• People wanted entertainment, education, and practical information.

2. The Print Revolution in Europe

• In 11th century Chinese paper reached Europe through Silk Route
• Marco Polo brought knowledge of woodblock printing from China to Europe(ITALY) (1295 CE).
• Johann Gutenberg (Germany) invented the printing press around 1430 (strasbourg) CE.
• VELLUM:- made from skin of animals. It was luxry editions were still hand written it was very expensive. Acess of this were in limited hand.

Demand for books:-

• Europe began exporting books
• Book fair were held
• Increase the demand of manuscripts.
• Book sellers began to hire scribes.

Q - Why circulation of manuscripts werre remained limites?

• Ans- It was expensive.
• Labourious and time taking.
• Fragile and awkward.
• Not easy to carry or read easily.

2.1 Gutenberg and the Printing Press

• Johann Gutenberg was from Mainz, Germany.
• He developed the first printing press with movable metal type around 1430.
• Gutenberg was originally trained as a goldsmith — he used his knowledge of metals to create the press.

Features of Gutenberg’s Printing Press

• The olive press (used to extract oil).
• The wine press (used to crush grapes).

Main invention:

• Movable metal type → individual letters could be arranged and reused.
• Printed faster than handwritten manuscripts.
• Produced books with great beauty — almost looked like hand-written calligraphy.

First Printed Book

•  Bible - 180 copies.
• Printed around 1448.
• Very high quality, with colored decorations and beautiful designs.

Q - Why the New technology did not entirely displace existing art of producing books by hand?

• Ans - Printed books looks like written manuscripts.
• The metal letters imitated the ornamental handwritten style.
• Borders were illuminated by hand with foliage
• Decoration was kept blank on printed page for rich. 

1450-1550:- Printing press were set-up in Europe.

• Printers from Germany travelled to other countries & started new press.
• boomed in production 15th century 20 million copies print and 16th century 200 million copies print.
• Platen:-  A platen is a flat metal or wooden plate. In Gutenberg’s printing press, the platen was used to press the paper firmly against the inked movable type (the letters arranged on a tray).

3 - The Print Revolution and Its Impact

Q - What was the print revolution

• Ans - It wastransformde the lives of people. 
• Transformed information and knowledg.
• Influenced popular perceptions and opened up new ways of looking at things.

3.1 A New Reading Public

Rise of the Reading Public

• With the invention of the printing press, books became cheaper and faster to produce.
• Earlier, books were expensive and only rich people, monks, and scholars could afford them.
• Now, common people could also buy and read books.

Literacy and Reading

• Literacy rates increased in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Even though many people were still illiterate, they could hear books being read aloud:
• Public readings became common.
• Books, newspapers, and pamphlets were read aloud in public spaces for all to hear.

New Types of Books:-Novels, Ballads, Folk tales, Newspapers, Journals

This widened the audience — both educated and less-educated people accessed printed material.

Effects on Society

• Knowledge spread faster among all classes.
• Created a culture where even non-literate people became part of the reading public.
• Stimulated debates, discussions, and new ideas among people.

Q - What problem raised with publishers Or Why transition was not easy/simple?

• Ans - Because literate people can read.
• 20th century rate were low in European countries.

Q - How publishers solve this problem?

• Ans - Publishers think people who can not read, they enjoy listening the books.
• Print start with pictures.
• Books were sang and recited.
• Oral culture began to printed and printed material was orally transmitted.

3.2 - Religious Debates and the fear of print

Fear of Print:- Authorities feared that:

• Print would encourage questioning of existing power and traditions.
• People would challenge religious and political authority.

The Protestant Reformation

• Martin Luther (Germany) criticized the Catholic Church.
• He wrote the famous 95 Theses (1517) against church practices like the sale of indulgences.
• His ideas spread rapidly because of print — thousands of copies circulated in Europe.
• This Lead to the division within the Church and to beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
• Martin Luther Said:- "Printed is the ultimate gift og god and the greatest one".
• Print help to develop intellectual atmosphere and led reformation in society.

3.3 Print and Dissent

• Inn 16th century "Menocchio" A miller in Italy, "Reinterpreted of Bible"
• Roman Catholic enraged.
• Roman Chatolic began inquisition to repress heretical ideas.
• Menocchio was hauled and executed/Killed.
• Imposed severe control over publishers and book sellers.

Q - Who was Menocchio ? Why he had been excuted? Or Why control imposed on publisher and book sellers?

4 - The Reading Mania

Why It’s Called "Reading Mania"

• People were crazy about reading anything they could get.
• Demand for books exploded.

Massive Increase in Readers

• By the 17th and 18th centuries, literacy rates in most parts of Europe rose sharply.
• Schools were set up.
• Pedlars has been employed by publishers.
• Chapmen (Preety pedlars, Carry Chapboos for poor people.
• In France, "Billotheque bleue" - Poor quality book sale in low price.

In 18th Century:- Periodical press developed.

• Begin to publish current affairs, newspaper, jornal information, war, trade, Almanacs (calendars + information). etc.
• Scientist & Philospher ideas access to common place.
• Compied ancient and medieval Scientific text.
• Philospher and scientist (Thomas Paine, Voltaire, Rousseaue widely printed and read.

Q- How did reading became common among people? Or How did access of books easy for the common people

4.1 "Tremble, Therefore, Tyrants of the World"

The Power of Print

• The phrase "Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the world" was a bold statement made during the time of the French Revolution (1789).
• Mid 18th century people think that books means spreading progress & enlightment. 
• It expressed the empowerment of the common people as they gained access to knowledge through print.

What Did This Statement Mean?

The phrase refers to the fear that rulers, kings, and tyrants had because of the spread of new revolutionary ideas via printed material.

Louis Sebastian Mercier:- 18th century novelist; "The printing press is the most powerful emgine of prgress and public opinion is the force that will swep depotism away"

Mercier procailmed:- "Tremble, Therefore, Tyrants of the World"

4.2 Print Culture and the French Revolution

there are three types of arguments or ways print culture is discussed in relation to the revolution:

1. Print as a Tool for Spreading Revolutionary Ideas

• Argument: Print played a crucial role in spreading revolutionary ideas such as liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• Explanation: Pamphlets, books, newspapers, and broadsheets helped to:
• Inform the common people about new political philosophies.
• Challenge the authority of the monarchy and the Church.
• Spread ideas of democracy and rights of the people.
• Example: The works of Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot spread through print, influencing public opinion and encouraging calls for revolution.

2. Print as a Catalyst for Political Mobilization

• Argument: Print culture helped to mobilize the masses for revolutionary actions.
• Explanation: As ideas spread through print, people became aware of the injustices of the old system and began to take action. Print media was used to:
• Organize protests and demonstrations.
• Spread revolutionary manifestos and calls for action.

3. Print as a Tool for Criticism and Dissent:- Raised the questions about social order.

• Argument: Print allowed for critical voices to emerge against the monarchy and the aristocracy.
• Explanation: Through print, people could express dissent openly without fear of immediate retaliation, leading to the growth of a public sphere where:
• Ideas of revolution and social justice were discussed.
• Political cartoons, pamphlets, and underground presses criticized the excesses of the monarchy.
• This led to the sentiment against the monarchy.

How these arguments help?

• Print culture helped spread revolutionary ideas in France.
• Pamphlets, newspapers, and books spread ideas about freedom and equality.
• Accepeted some idea & rejected order.
• Interpreted things their own way.

5 - The Nineteenth Century

During this period literacy rate bring large number of new readers children, women and workers

5.1 Children, Workers, and Women

Children and Education:- 

• In 19th century Primary Education become compulsary.
• Children became important category of readers.
• In 1857 A children's press set-up
• Grimm brothers in Germany compiling folk tales.
• Published collected story in 1812.

Women and Print Culture

• Women’s access to print materials was limited but gradually increased over time.
• Women become important reader and writer.
• Penny magzine special printed for women like housekeepinga nd manual teaching.
• Novelist women:- Jane Austine, Bronte sisters, George Eliot.

Workers and the Spread of Print

• In 17 century lending libraries existence.
• In 19th century Lending libraries in England became instruments for educating white collar workers, artisans and lower middle class.
• Mid of 19th century workers had some time for self improvement.

5.2 Further Innovations

Technological Innovations in Printing

• Printing technology continued to improve over time, leading to more efficient production of books and other printed materials.
• Metal press introduced in 18th century.
• Richard. M.Hoe - Power driven cylindrical printing 8000 Sheets Per hours.
• Offset press developde, print six colors at time.
• 20th century electrical operated press.
• Shilling Series:- In England, popular work sold in cheap series.
• 20th century innovation:- dust cover or the book jacket.

6.1 Manuscripts Before the Age of Print

What Are Manuscripts?

• Manuscripts refer to handwritten books or documents.
• Manuscripts were written by scribes 
• Before the invention of the printing press, all books were created by handwriting, which was a time-consuming and labor-intensive process.
• It was copied on palm leaves or handmade paper.

6.2 Print Comes to India

Introduction of Printing in India

• The first printing press in India was set up by Portuguese missionaries in Goa in mid 16th century.
• They learn Konkani. by 1674 50 books printed Kankar language.
• 1579 Print Ist Tamil book by Chatolic priest at Cochin.
• 1713 Ist Malayalam book printed.
• 1710 Dutch Protestant printed 32 Tamil text.
• James Augutus Hickey began to edit Brngal Gazette from 1780.
•  Hickey, publish a advertise related to "Sale of Slaves".
• Governer Genral, "Warren Hastings Persected Hickey."
• Weekly Bangal Gazatte brought out by Gangadhar Bhattachary, who was close to Rammohan Roy.

7. Religious Reform and Public Debate

• The 19th century in India saw the emergence of religious reform movements that were deeply connected to public debates on social and political issues.
• Print culture played a significant role in spreading ideas of social and religious reform, challenging traditional practices, and fostering public discussions.
• "Sambad Kamudi" published by Ram Mohan Roy in 1821.
• Hindu orthodoxy commissioned "Samachar Chandrika" oppose his opinions.
• 1822 Two Persian paper published "Jam-i-Jahan" and "Shamshul Akhbar".
• Same year two more new paper published- "Bombay Samachar" and " Gujrati Newspaper".

Fear of Muslim:-

• Ulama began to fear that colonialgovernment would encourages conversion and change Muslim personal law.
• The Deoband seminar, founded in 1867, Published "Fatwa".

Hindu Religious text:-

• Many Religious text published in Vernacular languages
• First printed edition of Ram Charit Manas of Tulsidas appear in Calcutta, during 1810.
• In 1880 Naval Kishore and Shri Venkateshwat published numerous religious text at Mumbai. 

8. New Forms of Publication

• Printing created an appetite for new kinds of writing.
• Illustrated Books and Cartoons 
• Cheap Literature and calenders were availabe in Bazars.
• Newspapers, Mazgines and Journalism.
• Raja Ravi Verma produce images for mass circulations.

8.1 Women and Print

Women’s Access to Print

• Print media in the 19th century was a key tool for empowerment and education for women.
• Women had been send to schools.

What was the problem with women to send school?

• Conservative hindus believed that literate women would be widowed and 
• Muslime feared women would be corrupted

Women writer and reformer during 19th Century.

• Early 19th century "Rasundari Debi" learn to read and write - Published "Amar Jiban" In1876.
• Kailashbashini Debu - Wrote about women experience in 1860.
• Tara Bai Sindhe and Pandita Rama Bai - Wrote about women miserable life in 1880.
• Ram Chaddha - Published " Istri Dharm Vichar". Teaches women how to be obedient wives.

8.2 Print and Poor People

The Expansion of Cheap Print Media

• In the 19th century, Cheap literature, newspapers, and pamphlets became more widely available, making it possible for lower-income groups to access printed material.
• Library set-up in city and town.

Indian Reformer:-

Jyotiba Phulle - Wrote "Gulam Giri" 1871. Caste discrimination.

B.R.Ambedkar, E.V Ramaswamy Naicker in Madras and Periyar wrote about Caste system.

Kashibaba - Mill worker wrote "Chhote or Bade ka Sawal. In 1938. about Caste and Class Exploitation.

Sudarshan Chakr - Published "Sacchi Kavitayan" in 1935 & 1955

9. Print and Censorship

• Print culture revolutionized the spread of ideas, but it also brought with it the challenge of censorship.
• Censorship became an important tool used to control the spread of ideas and to maintain social order.

Control in press in India

1820 - Calcutta Supreme court pass regulation - Control press freedom.

1835 - Revise press law, Governer - Genral Bentick - Editor - English and Vernacular news paper

1878 - Vernacula act passed - this Act was based on Irish press law.

1907 - Balganga dhar Tilak wrote in Kesari about Punjab revolutionaries.1

1908 - Imprisonment. 

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