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Print Culture and The Modern World Class 10 full chapter (Animation) | Class 10 History Chapter 5

Sunlike study・2 minutes read

Printing originated in East Asia with wood block printing in China and hand printing in Japan, leading to advancements like mechanical printing and the printing press. The spread of print culture globally revolutionized education, literature, religious movements, and political activism, showcasing the power of print in shaping societal norms and fostering cultural changes.

Insights

  • The introduction of mechanical printing in China and Japan revolutionized the production of printed materials, leading to a significant increase in output and diversification beyond traditional text-based documents to include textiles, playing cards, and even paper money.
  • The power of print culture in influencing societal changes was exemplified by the emergence of a new reading public due to the use of images in books, which led to increased literacy rates, religious awareness, and even played a pivotal role in events like the French Revolution and the Indian independence movement, showcasing the transformative impact of print media on shaping public opinions and driving social reform.

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Recent questions

  • What is the history of printing?

    Printing originated in East Asia with hand printing.

  • Who invented the printing press?

    John Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1430.

  • How did print culture influence society?

    Print culture led to increased literacy and societal changes.

  • What role did print culture play in the French Revolution?

    Print culture disseminated Enlightenment ideas during the French Revolution.

  • How did print culture evolve in India?

    Print culture in India transitioned from manuscripts to printed books.

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Summary

00:00

Evolution of Printing: East Asia to Europe

  • Printing is the method of putting text and images on paper.
  • Printing began in East Asia, specifically in China, Japan, and Korea, with hand printing being prevalent.
  • In China, wood block printing was used from 594 AD, where paper was rubbed on an inked wooden block to transfer text and images.
  • The thin and porous paper used in early printing led to ink seeping through to the other side, resulting in single-sided usage.
  • Books were printed in China to aid in the bureaucratic exam system under monarchical rule.
  • Mechanical printing arrived in China in the late 19th century from Europe, leading to a rapid increase in printed material production.
  • In Japan, hand printing began around 768-770 AD with the introduction of the Diamond Sutra, the oldest printed book.
  • Printing in Japan diversified to include textiles, playing cards, and paper money, with visual materials like paintings also being printed.
  • Kitagawa Tamaru, a famous Japanese artist, depicted the floating world through his paintings.
  • The printing press was invented by John Gutenberg in 1430, revolutionizing book production in Europe and leading to a significant increase in book circulation.

14:44

Print Revolution: Images, Ideas, and Literacy

  • Publishers started producing books with more images and pictures to make them accessible to the less educated common people.
  • The emergence of a new reading public due to the use of images in books, leading to a shift in the society towards literacy and religious awareness.
  • The fear and debate surrounding the spread of rebellious and religious thoughts through print, exemplified by Martin Luther's 95 theses criticizing the Roman Catholic Church.
  • The division of the church into Catholic and Protestant groups due to Luther's writings, showcasing the power of print in influencing societal changes.
  • The need for censorship and control over print to prevent misinterpretation and controversial publications, leading to the creation of an index of prohibited books by the Roman Catholic Church.
  • The rise of reading mania in Europe in the 18th century, fueled by increasing literacy rates and the publication of cheap literature and newspapers.
  • The belief in the power of print to bring progress and enlightenment, as expressed by various thinkers and writers of the time.
  • The role of print culture in the French Revolution, with historians attributing the revolution to the dissemination of Enlightenment ideas and the questioning of traditional beliefs through print.
  • The spread of print culture in the 19th century, leading to increased literacy rates among children, women, and workers, as well as innovations in printing technology.
  • The transition from handwritten manuscripts to printed books in India, with manuscripts written in various vernacular languages on palm leaves and handmade papers before the advent of print.

29:04

Evolution of Printing in Colonial India

  • Menu scripts in India were stitched together but had limitations like being expensive and difficult to handle due to being fuzzy and in different styles by various scribes.
  • The printing press was introduced to India in the mid-16th century by Portuguese and missionaries in Goa, leading to the printing of books in Kannada and Tamil by 1674.
  • English printing in India began after 1780 when James August Hickey printed the first English magazine, Bengal Gazette, which led to controversies with the East India Company.
  • Religious reform and debates in the early 19th century involved public discussions and print materials on issues like Sati and monotheism, with reformers using vernacular newspapers to spread their ideas.
  • Rammohan Roy published Samvad Kamod to campaign against Sati, while others like Gangadhar Bhattacharya and Dutch missionaries printed newspapers in regional languages.
  • Muslim Ulamas published religious dialogues in Urdu and Persian to preserve Muslim identity, while Hindu presses printed religious texts in vernacular languages.
  • New forms of publication in India included literary works like novels and short stories, as well as visual materials like paintings and cartoons to comment on social and political issues.
  • Women in India began writing about their lives and thoughts, with reformers like Raj Sundari Devi and Kailash Bhasani Devi using print to highlight women's issues and advocate for education.
  • Cheap books in the 19th century allowed poor people access to reading materials, with voices like Jyotiba Phule and BR Ambedkar raising concerns about caste discrimination through their writings.
  • Print censorship in India began in the early 19th century due to criticism of British rule, leading to regulations controlling press freedom and censoring publications that criticized British companies.

43:35

Impact of Press Laws on Indian Nationalism

  • In 1835, English editors petitioned the Governor General of India, Bentinck, to restore freedom of the press by revising press laws. Thomas Macaulay, a British official, implemented new rules to allow unrestricted printing. This led to the 1857 revolt against British rule, changing attitudes towards press freedom, with vernacular newspapers promoting nationalism despite government censorship.
  • The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 allowed the colonial government to monitor and seize newspapers printing anti-government content. Despite this, nationalist sentiments continued to be printed, leading to arrests and newspaper seizures. Bal Gangadhar Tilak's article in the Kesari newspaper in 1907 sparked protests and his imprisonment, highlighting the power of print culture in giving voice to public opinions and rights.
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