Q40. In which year was the Vernacular Press Act enacted?
[SSC Stenographer (11 December 2024)]
(A) 1876
(B) 1879
(C) 1875
(D) 1878
Answer: (D) 1878
Explanation: Lord Lytton’s government enacted the Vernacular Press Act in 1878 to suppress criticism appearing in Indian-language newspapers. Because it did not similarly restrict English papers, the measure symbolized discriminatory colonial rule and provoked widespread protest among Indian journalists.
Q39. Consider statements about Balshastri Jambhekar: (A) he began the Anglo-Marathi newspaper Darpan in 1832; (B) he is called the father of Marathi journalism; (C) he brought out Digdarshan in 1840. Which are correct?
[SSC MTS (22 October 2024)]
(A) B only
(B) A only
(C) A and B only
(D) A, B and C
Answer: (D) A, B and C
Explanation: Balshastri Jambhekar launched Darpan in 1832 and later Digdarshan in 1840. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of Marathi journalism. His publications supported public education and the spread of modern knowledge in western India.
Q38. Which is regarded as the first newspaper published in India?
[WBPSC Miscellaneous Services (15 September 2024)]
(A) Bengal Gazette
(B) Sambad Kaumudi
(C) Mirat-ul-Akhbar
(D) Hindu Patriot
Answer: (A) Bengal Gazette
Explanation: Hicky’s Bengal Gazette started in Calcutta in 1780, decades before Sambad Kaumudi or Hindu Patriot. It was an English weekly and became known for challenging powerful officials. Its struggles illustrated the limited tolerance of the colonial establishment for a critical press.
Q37. Identify correct pairs:
(1) Thiru. V. Ka.—Desabakthan;
(2) Subramania Bharati—The Hindu;
(3) Annie Besant—New India;
(4) Kasturi Ranga Iyengar—India.
[TNPSC Group II (14 September 2024)]
(A) (1) and (3) only
(B) (1) and (4) only
(C) (1), (3) and (4) only
(D) (2), (3) and (4) only
Answer: (A) (1) and (3) only
Explanation: Thiru. V. Kalyanasundaram was associated with Desabakthan, while Annie Besant used New India to promote Home Rule. Bharati’s famous publication was India, and Kasturi Ranga Iyengar was associated with The Hindu. Thus only the first and third pairings are correct.
Q36. Bal Gangadhar Tilak edited which newspaper?
[WBCS Main, 2023 cycle (18 August 2024)]
(A) Bande Mataram
(B) Mahratta
(C) Enquirer
(D) Hindu Patriot
Answer: (B) Mahratta
Explanation: Tilak’s English weekly Mahratta addressed an educated readership, while his Marathi Kesari reached the wider public in western India. Both were established in 1881 and became central platforms for his political activism and advocacy of swaraj.
Q35. Which Viceroy enacted the Vernacular Press Act?
[WBCS Main, 2023 cycle (18 August 2024)]
(A) Lord Curzon
(B) Lord Ripon
(C) Lord Lytton
(D) None of the above
Answer: (C) Lord Lytton
Explanation: Lord Lytton enacted the Vernacular Press Act in 1878, amid mounting opposition to colonial policies. The measure singled out Indian-language newspapers for restrictive controls. Lord Ripon repealed the law in 1882 as part of his more liberal approach.
Q34. Which newspaper was notably outspoken in its nationalist criticism of British rule?
[Bihar TRE 3.0 (21 July 2024)]
(A) The Pioneer
(B) Amrita Bazar Patrika
(C) The Statesman
(D) More than one of the above
Answer: (B) Amrita Bazar Patrika
Explanation: Amrita Bazar Patrika developed into an outspoken nationalist paper associated with Sisir Kumar Ghosh and Motilal Ghosh. It famously switched from Bengali to English when the Vernacular Press Act threatened Indian-language publications. Its editorials opposed colonial repression.
Q33. In which year did the colonial government enact the Vernacular Press Act?
[Bihar TRE 3.0 (19 July 2024)]
(A) 1885
(B) 1878
(C) 1880
(D) More than one of the above
Answer: (B) 1878
Explanation: The law was passed in 1878 during Lord Lytton’s viceroyalty. By imposing special controls on vernacular publications, it attempted to weaken the spread of anti-colonial criticism. Organized protests and sustained objections followed; Lord Ripon repealed the law in 1882.
Q32. Who started the newspaper Commonweal?
[Maharashtra Police Constable (7 July 2024)]
(A) Annie Besant
(B) Sarojini Naidu
(C) Subhas Chandra Bose
(D) B. R. Ambedkar
Answer: (A) Annie Besant
Explanation: Annie Besant started the weekly Commonweal in 1914 and used journalism to advance Indian self-government. She also edited New India. Both publications helped popularize Home Rule arguments before and during the movement she launched in 1916.
Q31. Which newspaper was published by Raja Rammohan Roy?
[WBPSC Food SI (17 March 2024)]
(A) Sambad Kaumudi
(B) Hindu Patriot
(C) Sandhya
(D) The Enquirer
Answer: (A) Sambad Kaumudi
Explanation: Raja Rammohan Roy used the Bengali Sambad Kaumudi to advocate social reform, educational change and informed public debate. He also published the Persian Mirat-ul-Akhbar. His work made the early Indian press an important instrument of reformist opinion.
