Question

Which among the following was the first English newspaper in India?
(a) Bengal Gazette
(b) Darpan
(c) Kesari
(d) Prabhakar

Answer 1

Hint: The first English newspaper was first introduced in India in 1779. It was introduced by James Augustus Hickey in Calcutta (now Kolkata) .

Complete answer:
The first English newspaper, which was introduced in India was ‘Bengal Gazette’. It was introduced in 1779, in Calcutta. Calcutta (now Kolkata) was chosen as the place as it was the capital of British in India at that time. It is not only the first English newspaper of India, but it is the one of the entire Indian Subcontinent. It was introduced by James Augustus Hickey. The composition of the newspaper had differences in it’s contents on the front page and other parts. The front page had been written in British English while other parts had a wide influence of Anglo-India expressions. So, let’s examine the options one by one:
(a) Bengal Gazette; is the right answer as the first English newspaper, which was introduced in India was ‘Bengal Gazette’. It was introduced in 1779, in Calcutta. Calcutta (now Kolkata) was chosen as the place as it was the capital of British in India at that time. It is not only the first English newspaper of India, but it is the one of the entire Indian Subcontinent. It was introduced by James Augustus Hickey.
(b) Darpan is the wrong answer as it was the first Marathi newspaper founded by Balshastri Jambhekar. It was the product of his continuous efforts to start journalism in his own language.
(c) Kesari is the wrong answer as it was a Marathi newspaper which was founded by Bal Gangadar Tilak.
(d) Prabhakar is the wrong answer as it was the first Bengali daily newspaper.
So, the correct answer is ‘(a) Bengal Gazette’.

Note: Don’t confuse yourself with the first Hindi or first Marathi newspaper. Bengal Gazette is subject to academic analysis and historians have different perspectives about it. It is quintessential to note that the respective newspaper was not only read by British soldiers but by Indians also. Later on, Indians were inspired to start their own newspapers.