Print Culture and The Modern World Class 10 Notes: The NCERT Class 10 History Chapter 5 delves into the evolution of print, tracing its origins in East Asia and its subsequent expansion across Europe and India. It illuminates the far-reaching consequences of technological dissemination, elucidating how societal dynamics and cultural landscapes underwent transformation with the advent of print.

Crafted by proficient experts in the subject matter, these NCERT Class 10 History notes for Chapter 5 – Print Culture and the Modern World provide comprehensive insights. Designed to facilitate optimal preparation for board examinations, these NCERT Class 10 Social Science Notes empower students.

Encompassing fundamental principles through an engaging approach, the NCERT notes for Class 10 History Chapter 5 ensure facile comprehension and enduring retention of each subject matter.

NCERT Print Culture and The Modern World Class 10 Notes

NCERT Print Culture and The Modern World Class 10 Notes

The First Printed Books

The NCERT Class 10 History Chapter 5 delves into the evolution of print, tracing its origins in East Asia and its subsequent expansion across Europe and India.

It illuminates the far-reaching consequences of technological dissemination, elucidating how societal dynamics and cultural landscapes underwent transformation with the advent of print. Crafted by proficient experts in the subject matter, these NCERT Class 10 History notes for Chapter 5 – Print Culture and the Modern World provide comprehensive insights.

Designed to facilitate optimal preparation for board examinations, these NCERT Class 10 Social Science Notes empower students. Encompassing fundamental principles through an engaging approach, the NCERT notes for Class 10 History Chapter 5 ensure facile comprehension and enduring retention of each subject matter.

Print in Japan

The art of hand-printing technology was transmitted from China to Japan by Buddhist missionaries approximately during AD 768-770. Among the earliest Japanese printed works is the Buddhist Diamond Sutra, which dates back to AD 868.

This significant piece comprises six text-filled sheets adorned with woodcut illustrations. The evolution of printing visual content gave rise to captivating publishing methodologies.

As the 19th century drew to a close, compilations of illustrative paintings showcased a refined urban culture. Meanwhile, libraries and bookstores abounded with an array of hand-printed materials, encompassing topics ranging from women to musical instruments.

Print Comes to Europe

Following his explorations in China, Marco Polo made his way back to Europe, bearing with him the valuable insight of woodblock printing. This knowledge swiftly disseminated to various corners of Europe. As time progressed, there emerged a growing appetite for books, prompting booksellers to engage in cross-border book trade. However, the manual transcription of manuscripts struggled to keep up with the burgeoning demand for reading materials.

In response, Europe turned to the utilization of woodblocks for purposes beyond books. These versatile blocks were employed to imprint designs onto textiles, craft playing cards, and create religious imagery accompanied by succinct text. Among these developments, Johann Gutenberg stands notable for pioneering the earliest recorded printing press during the 1430s.

Gutenberg and the Printing Press

Gutenberg possessed a mastery of stone polishing, which he ingeniously applied to enhance existing technology for his groundbreaking invention. The inaugural manifestation of this novel approach materialized in the form of a printed Bible.

While the integration of this innovative technology unfolded, the traditional practice of manual book production endured in certain spheres. Luxury books catered to affluent individuals retained reserved areas on the printed page, allowing space for ornate embellishments.

Across the span of a century, from 1450 to 1550, printing presses proliferated across the majority of European nations. This transition from manual to mechanical printing facilitated what is now referred to as the printing revolution, where the mechanics of production underwent a transformative shift.

The Print Revolution and Its Impact

The advent of the Print Revolution brought forth more than just an innovative method of book production; it ushered in a profound transformation in people’s lives, reshaping their connection to information, knowledge, as well as their interactions with institutions and authorities.

A New Reading Public

The print revolution significantly lowered the cost of books, leading to an inundation of markets with a wide variety of books that catered to an expanding readership. This phenomenon gave rise to an entirely new reading culture.

In times past, only the privileged elite were granted access to books, while the general populace relied on the oral recitation of sacred texts. Before the emergence of printing, books remained a costly commodity. However, the transition was not straightforward, as literacy was still a prerequisite for engaging with printed material.

Printers responded by publishing popular ballads and folk tales accompanied by illustrations, making literature accessible to those who were not literate. This process effectively translated oral traditions into print, and printed materials were in turn transmitted through oral means, bridging the gap between written and spoken culture.

Religious Debates and the Fear of Print

The emergence of print gave rise to an entirely novel realm of discourse and deliberation. Printed books, however, did not universally receive open arms, as numerous individuals harbored concerns about the potential impact of widespread book circulation on people’s thoughts.

Apprehensions existed regarding the dissemination of ideas that could challenge societal norms and religious beliefs. A notable instance in 1517 saw religious reformer Martin Luther penning his Ninety-Five Theses, wherein he critiqued various practices and rituals of the Roman Catholic Church.

The publication of his thesis in printed form contributed to a schism within the Church and marked the commencement of the Protestant Reformation.

Print and Dissent

During the 16th century, Menocchio engaged in reading the books accessible within his community. Through his reinterpretation of the Bible, he constructed a perspective on God and Creation that stirred considerable discontent within the Roman Catholic Church. Menocchio faced legal consequences, being brought to trial twice and ultimately met with execution. In the year 1558, the Roman Church initiated the practice of curating an Index of Prohibited Books.

The Reading Mania

Throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, literacy rates in most regions of Europe experienced a significant rise. The proliferation of schools and literacy initiatives across European nations led to an increased demand for book production. Simultaneously, diverse forms of reading, often centered around entertainment, started to reach the general populace. The landscape of books encompassed a wide spectrum of sizes, catering to various purposes and interests.

As the early 18th century unfolded, the periodical press emerged, seamlessly blending current affairs with entertainment. Journals and newspapers became conduits for information pertaining to warfare, trade, and advancements in distant locales. Notably, the scientific realm saw publication of Isaac Newton’s groundbreaking discoveries, exerting a profound influence on readers with a scientific inclination.

Tremble, therefore, tyrants of the world!’

By the mid-eighteenth century, books had come to be regarded as agents of disseminating advancement and enlightenment. In the words of Louise-Sébastien Mercier, an eighteenth-century French novelist, the printing press emerged as a potent instrument for progress, with the force of public opinion poised to eradicate despotism. Holding an unwavering belief in the influential role of print in fostering enlightenment and dismantling the foundations of autocracy, Mercier boldly declared: “Hence, rulers of the world, quiver in apprehension! Bow before the intangible author!”

Print Culture and the French Revolution

Historians postulated that the print culture laid the groundwork for the onset of the French Revolution. These assertions revolved around three distinct lines of reasoning:

1. Print propagated the doctrines of Enlightenment philosophers. Their written works offered a critical perspective on established norms, superstitions, and autocracy. The extensive readership of figures like Voltaire and Rousseau prompted individuals to view the world with a fresh lens, one characterized by skepticism, critique, and reason.

2. Print engendered a novel ethos of discourse and deliberation. Within this burgeoning public sphere, novel concepts of societal upheaval took root and flourished.

3. By the 1780s, a profusion of literature emerged that satirized monarchy and scrutinized the ethical conduct of royalty.

Print served as a conduit for disseminating ideas, inviting people to assimilate, reject, or interpret concepts on their terms. While print did not directly mold their minds, it did pave the way for the potential of adopting alternative modes of thought.

The Nineteenth Century

During the 19th century, a substantial influx of new readers, encompassing children, women, and laborers, augmented the ranks of the literate population in Europe.

Children, Women and Workers

Starting in the latter part of the 19th century, primary education became obligatory. By 1857, France established a children’s press focused on literature for young readers. The Grimm Brothers undertook the collection of traditional folk tales in Germany, giving these rural narratives a fresh presentation.

Women assumed significant roles both as readers and writers, leading to the publication of magazines exclusively tailored for them, along with instructional manuals on propriety and household management. Over the course of the 19th century, lending libraries in England evolved into vehicles for educating white-collar employees, artisans, and individuals from the lower-middle class.

Further Innovations

By the close of the 18th century, the transition to metal transformed the composition of the press. Subsequent to this, the field of printing technology underwent a sequence of innovations throughout the 19th century. In this era, Richard M. perfected a power-driven cylindrical press, tailored notably for newspaper printing. The offset technique was also pioneered, enabling the simultaneous printing of six distinct colors. Advancing into the 20th century, the introduction of electrically operated presses significantly hastened the printing process, followed by a subsequent array of developments.

1. Enhancements were achieved in paper-feeding methods.
2. Plate quality witnessed improvement.
3. Innovations encompassed automatic paper reels and the incorporation of photoelectric controls to regulate color alignment.

India and the World of Print

Manuscripts Before the Age of Print

India boasts a wealth of ancient traditions rooted in handwritten manuscripts, encompassing Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and numerous vernacular languages. These manuscripts were meticulously replicated onto palm leaves or crafted from handmade paper.

This practice of manuscript production persisted even after the advent of printing. However, it remained a costly and delicate endeavor. Notably, in Bengal, the focus of education was primarily on penmanship, resulting in many individuals attaining literacy without engaging in substantial reading of textual material.

Print Comes to India

During the mid-sixteenth century, the initial printing press arrived in Goa through the efforts of Portuguese missionaries. It was in 1579 that Catholic priests produced the first Tamil book in Cochin, and subsequently, in 1713, they accomplished the printing of the first Malayalam book.

The establishment of the English press in India transpired relatively later, despite the English East India Company importing presses toward the latter part of the seventeenth century.

An influential weekly publication titled the Bengal Gazette was overseen by James Augustus Hickey, who not only featured advertisements but also disseminated a substantial amount of gossip concerning senior officials of the East India Company in India. As the eighteenth century drew to a close, a multitude of newspapers and journals emerged in printed form.

Religious Reform and Public Debates

In the early nineteenth century, religious matters escalated in intensity. People began to scrutinize prevailing practices, advocating for reform, while opposing voices countered the arguments of these reformers. Printed tracts and newspapers played a pivotal role in disseminating novel ideas and shaping the discourse’s character. This era witnessed the emergence of fresh concepts and the ignition of fervent debates between social and religious reformers and the established Hindu orthodoxy. Topics such as widow immolation, monotheism, Brahmanical priesthood, and idolatry fueled intense controversies.

In 1821, Rammohun Roy introduced the publication Sambad Kaumudi, while the subsequent year saw the debut of two Persian newspapers, Jam-i-Jahan Nama and Shamsul Akhbar. Simultaneously, a Gujarati newspaper, the Bombay Samachar, made its debut. The establishment of the Deoband Seminary in 1867 marked a significant development, leading to the publication of numerous fatwas guiding Muslim readers in their daily lives and elucidating Islamic doctrines.

Print media notably stimulated the reading of religious texts, particularly among Hindus in vernacular languages. This accessibility facilitated the broad dissemination of religious texts, sparking discussions, debates, and inter-religious controversies. The proliferation of newspapers facilitated the transmission of news across geographical distances, contributing to the cultivation of pan-Indian identities.

New Forms of Publication

As an increasing number of individuals developed an interest in reading, a wave of novel writing emerged, introducing new literary dimensions. In Europe, the literary form known as the novel underwent refinement, adapting Indian styles and themes to resonate with the evolving tastes of the readership. This period saw the integration of diverse literary structures into the reading landscape, including lyrics, short stories, and essays addressing social and political subjects.

The late nineteenth century marked the rise of a novel visual culture. Economical calendars, accessible in bazaars, became accessible even to the economically disadvantaged, adorning the walls of homes and workplaces. These prints played a significant role in shaping prevailing notions of modernity and tradition, religion and politics, and the broader realms of society and culture. By the 1870s, caricatures and cartoons began to grace the pages of journals and newspapers, offering commentary on pertinent social and political matters.

Women and Print

The engagement of women in reading experienced a substantial upswing within middle-class households. Urban centers saw the establishment of schools specifically catering to women’s education. Journals also took part in this shift, showcasing literary works by women and advocating for the importance of female education. Nonetheless, conservative factions within Hindu society harbored concerns that an educated girl might face widowhood, while Muslims feared that knowledge might lead to corruption through the consumption of Urdu romances.

The intersection of social reform and novels kindled significant interest in women’s experiences and sentiments. The dawn of the twentieth century witnessed the burgeoning popularity of journals penned and overseen by women. In Bengal, an entire section of central Calcutta, known as the Battala, emerged as a hub for the production of popular books. By the late nineteenth century, many of these books were richly adorned with woodcuts and vibrant lithographs. These publications were delivered by peddlers to homes, providing women the opportunity to read them during their leisure hours.

Print and the Poor People

In marketplaces, affordable books found eager buyers. Public libraries emerged predominantly within urban centers, towns, and cities. Towards the end of the 19th century, caste-based discrimination began surfacing within numerous printed tracts and essays. The lack of education among factory workers constrained their ability to extensively document their experiences. In 1938, Kashibaba authored and published “Chhote Aur Bade Ka Sawal 1938,” illuminating the interconnectedness of caste and class exploitation. During the 1930s, cotton mill workers in Bangalore established libraries as a means to self-educate.

Print and Censorship

Censorship remained a distant concern during the East India Company’s rule. However, certain regulations to control press freedom were introduced by the Calcutta Supreme Court, and in 1835, Governor-General Bentinck consented to revising press laws. New guidelines, crafted by Thomas Macaulay, reinstated previous freedoms. However, the landscape of press freedom underwent a transformation following the events of the 1857 revolt.

In 1878, the Vernacular Press Act, influenced by Irish Press Laws, was enacted, granting the government significant authority to censor content in vernacular newspapers, including reports and editorials. Vigilance over vernacular newspapers became a governmental priority. Simultaneously, nationalist newspapers proliferated across India. In 1907, Punjab revolutionaries were exiled, prompting Bal Gangadhar Tilak to express deep sympathy for them in his publication “Kesari,” a stance that ultimately led to his imprisonment in 1908.

Read More

• The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
• Nationalism in India
• The Making of a Global World
• The Age of Industrialisation

Frequently Asked Questions on Print Culture and The Modern World Class 10 Notes

Q 1: What is the importance of print culture in modern world?

The emergence of print culture set the stage for the unfolding of the French Revolution. The dissemination of print materials played a crucial role in popularizing the concepts put forth by Enlightenment thinkers. This widespread distribution encouraged an engaged and critical public to re-evaluate and debate established values, norms, and institutions. As a result, an inquisitive and rational discourse gave rise to novel notions of social revolution.

Q 2: Who introduced the first printing press in India?

Portuguese missionaries brought the first printing press to Goa in the mid-sixteenth century.

Q 3: How did print culture affect religion and society?

Print culture contributed to the spread of religious ideas and reform movements. It enabled the dissemination of religious texts, debates, and discussions that influenced social and cultural dynamics.

Q 4: How did print culture contribute to the spread of education?

Print culture led to the availability of textbooks, literary works, and educational materials, promoting literacy and learning among different sections of society.

Q 5: What role did newspapers play in print culture?

Newspapers became a powerful medium for conveying news, opinions, and ideas. They facilitated the exchange of information across regions and fostered public awareness.