Question

Which European nation was first in bringing printing press to India?
1. England
2. France
3. Portugal
4. Holland

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Portugal

The correct answer is Portugal.

• The Portuguese were the first Europeans, who brought a printing press to India.
• The first book published in India was by the Jesuit of Goa in 1557 AD.
• The individual responsible for the initiation of printing in India was Joao De Bustamante (rechristened Joao Rodrigues in 1563), a Spaniard who joined the Society of Jesus in 1556.
• Vernacular Press Act, 1878 was constituted for ‘better control’ of the vernacular press and effectively punished and repressed seditious writing.
• Licensing Regulations, 1823 - According to this regulation, press without a license was a penal offense.
• In 1780, James Augustus Hickey started “The Bengal Gazette or Calcutta General Advertiser” which was seized in 1872 because of its outspoken criticism of the Government.