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Which newspaper, first published from Bombay in 1822 by Fardunjee Marzban, is the oldest newspaper of India still in circulation?
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Answer: Option B — Bombay Samachar
Detailed Solution
The "Bombay Samachar" (now "Mumbai Samachar"), a Gujarati newspaper, was first published in Bombay on 1 July 1822 by Fardunjee Marzban; it is the oldest newspaper of India still in circulation, and one of the oldest in Asia.
About the newspaper:
- It began as a weekly, became a bi-weekly, and later a daily (1855).
- It was published in Gujarati, and was read mainly by the Parsi and Gujarati trading communities of Bombay.
- It carried news on trade, shipping, the prices of goods and public affairs.
- It is now owned by the Cama family, and continues to be published as "Mumbai Samachar".
- It celebrated its bicentenary in 2022.
About Fardunjee Marzban:
- He was a Parsi scholar and printer, who is regarded as a pioneer of Gujarati journalism and printing.
- He set up a printing press in Bombay in 1812, and printed books in Gujarati.
Early newspapers in India:
- The first newspaper in India was "Hicky's Bengal Gazette" (also called the "Calcutta General Advertiser"), started by James Augustus Hicky in Calcutta in 1780.
- "Samachar Darpan" (1818), a Bengali weekly, was published by the Serampore missionaries.
- "Sambad Kaumudi" (1821), a Bengali weekly, was associated with Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
- "Mirat-ul-Akhbar" (1822), a Persian weekly, was also started by Ram Mohan Roy.
- "Udant Martand" (1826) was the first Hindi newspaper, published from Calcutta.
Other old newspapers still published:
- "The Times of India" was started in 1838 as "The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce".
- "The Hindu" was started in Madras in 1878.
- "Amrita Bazar Patrika" was started in 1868, but it stopped publication in the 1990s.
The press and nationalism:
In the 19th century, Indian newspapers became an important means of spreading political awareness and criticising British policies.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The Times of India, Amrita Bazar Patrika and The Hindu were started later than the Bombay Samachar.
Quick tip
Remember: oldest newspaper of India still in circulation = Bombay Samachar (Gujarati, 1 July 1822, Fardunjee Marzban); first newspaper = Hicky's Bengal Gazette (1780).
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This topic covers the growth of Indian nationalism from the early 1900s to the First World War: the partition of Bengal in 1905, the Swadeshi and Boycott movement, the rise of extremist leaders such as Lal, Bal and Pal, the Surat split of 1907, and the Home Rule Leagues of Tilak and Annie Besant. Typical questions cover the year the partition of Bengal was announced and annulled (1905 and 1911), the slogans and leaders of the Swadeshi movement, and the founders of the two Home Rule Leagues (1916). Be clear about the difference between the moderates, who used petitions, and the extremists, who called for swaraj and mass action. Practise the Swadeshi movement and early nationalism questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.