STUDY

MATERIAL Print Culture and Modern World

ONE MARK QUESTIONS The Buddhist Diamond Sutra was the oldest
Japanese book.
1. Why did the Roman Catholic Church impose control
over publisher’s and booksellers? [CBSE 2018] THREE MARKS QUESTIONS
Ans :
The Roman Catholic Church troubled by effects of 10. Why couldn’t the production of hand written
popular readings and questionings of faith, imposed manuscripts satisfy the ever increasing demand for
severe controls over publishers and booksellers. books? Give any three reasons. [CBSE 2016]
2. Which place had the breakthrough of first printing Ans :
press? The production of handwritten manuscripts could not
Ans : [CBSE 2016] satisfy the ever increasing demand for books due to
The breakthrough of first printing press took place in the following reasons:
Strasbourg in Germany. a. In India, there is rich and old tradition of
handwritten manuscripts in different languages
3. Mention the technique adopted to educate white which were copied on palm leaves or on handmade
collar workers in Europe during the 19th century. papers.
Ans : [CBSE 2016] b. These manuscripts were highly expensive and
It was the technique of lending libraries to educate fragile.
white collar workers in Europe during the 19th century. c. They needed careful handling.

4. Mention any one technique of preserving the 11. Explain any three features of handwritten
manuscripts before the age of print in India.
manuscript of India. [CBSE 2016]
Ans : Ans : [CBSE 2010, 2014, 2016]

These were preserved by pressing between the wooden The three features of the handwritten manuscripts
covers or sewn together. before the age of print in India are:
a. In India, there is rich and old tradition of
5. Who brought the print culture to Japan? handwritten manuscripts in different languages
Ans : [CBSE 2016] which were copied on palm leaves or on handmade
The print culture was brought to Japan by the papers.
Buddhist Missionaries from China. b. These manuscripts were highly expensive, fragile
and needed careful handling.
6. Name the Chinese traditional book, which was folded c. These were preserved by pressing between the
and stitched at the side. [CBSE 2015] wooden covers or sewn together.
Ans : d. Reading the manuscripts was not easy as they
The traditional ‘Accordion Book’ of China was folded were written in different styles which limits its
and stitched at the side because both the sides of the use.
thin; porous sheets could not be printed. 12. Explain any three factors responsible for the invention
7. Mention any one characteristic feature of the off-set of new printing techniques. [CBSE 2016]
press. Ans :
Ans : [CBSE 2015] The three factors responsible for the invention of new
The offset press was able to print upto 6 colours at a printing techniques were:
time. a. The handwritten manuscripts production was not
sufficient to meet the demand.
8. Name the first edition of the Indian religious text b. These manuscripts were highly expensive, fragile
published in vernacular. [CBSE 2014] and needed careful handling.
Ans : c. It was expensive and time consuming to copy the
Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas was the first edition of handwritten manuscripts.
the Indian religious text published in vernacular. 13. How’ were magazines different from novels? Write any
9. Name the oldest Japanese book. three differences. [CBSE 2016]
Ans : [CBSE 2014] Ans :

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Chap 1.5 : Print Culture and Modern World

The three differences between the magazines and 95 theses in the year 1517 against the practices and
novels were: rituals of the Roman Catholic Church.
a. The magazines had several stories whereas the
novels had just one story. This action of Martin Luther led to the division
b. The magazines were periodically published within the church and marked the beginning of the
whereas the novels were one time publication. Protestant reformers.
c. There might be several writers of one magazine It was basically a movement for the reformation
but the novels had only one author. of the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century.
14. In what three ways did the printed books at first 18. Explain any three reasons which created a large
closely resemble the written manuscripts? number of new readers in the nineteenth century.
Ans : [CBSE 2015] Ans :
The three ways in which initially the printed books Three reasons which created a large number of new
closely resembled the written manuscripts were: readers in the nineteenth century were:
a. Initially the printed books resembled the written a. During this period the literacy increased which
manuscripts in appearance. increased the number of readers among the
b. It resembled in layout as the metal letters children, women and workers.
imitated the ornamental handwritten styles and b. Primary education was made compulsory and
the borders were illuminated by hand. hence the children became the important section
c. There was blank space for decoration in the of readers. The publishing industries started
books printed for the rich and the design was producing the school textbooks. In the year
chosen by the buyer. 1857, a children’s press was set up in France for
15. How did the print bring the reading public and publishing the literature for children only which
hearing public closer? [CBSE 2015] published the new works along with the old fairy
and folk tales.
Ans :
c. Technique of lending libraries to educate white
Earlier the society was divided into the oral culture collar workers in Europe during the 19th century.
and reading culture. The common people had the d. Women became the important readers as well as
oral culture while only the rich people had the writers. For women readers especially there was
reading culture. The common people heard the texts penny magazines.
collectively which were read out or recited or narrated
19. What were the limitations of the written manuscripts
to them.
in India? Explain. [CBSE 2014]
The reading culture was only limited to the elites Ans :
and they only read the books individually and silently.
The reason behind this culture may be the books were The following were the limitations of the written
expensive, produced less in numbers and also the manuscripts in India:
literacy rate was very low in most of the European a. These manuscripts were highly expensive, fragile
countries. and needed careful handling.
b. Reading the manuscripts was not easy as they
To solve the problem of illiteracy as a barrier in were written in different styles which limits its
the wider reach of the printed books, the popular use.
ballads and folk tales beautifully illustrated with c. It was not used in everyday life by the common
pictures were published which were sung and recited people.
in the village gatherings and the taverns in towns.
20. Examine the role of missionaries in the growth of
Hence the line separating the oral culture and the
press in India. [CBSE 2013]
reading culture started becoming blurred.
Ans :
16. Describe wood-block printing. [CBSE 2015]
The hand printing technology was introduced to
Ans : Japan by the Buddhist missionaries of China around
Wood-block printing was a technique of printing the AD 768-770. In 868 AD, the Buddhist Diamond
books by rubbing the paper against the inked surface Sutra was printed which is considered the oldest
of the woodblocks. Japanese book. It contain 6 sheets of text and
Marco Polo returned to Italy from China in the woodcut illustrations.
year 1295 and brought the technology of woodblock a. The Portuguese missionaries firstly brought the
printing. printing press to Goa in India in the mid-16th
century.
To meet the expanded demand for books the b. The Jesuit priests learnt Konkani and Kanara
export of books increased, book fairs were held, languages in India.
organized the production of handwritten manuscripts c. Tamil texts were also printed (32 texts) and
and woodblock printing became more popular. translated by the Dutch missionaries by the year
17. What was Protestant reformation? 1710.
Ans : [CBSE 2015] 21. How did the knowledge of wood block printing come
Martin Luther was a religious reformer. He wrote to Europe? Explain. [CBSE2016]
Ans :

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Chap 1.5 : Print Culture and Modern World
a. The wood block printing was developed in China.
In this technology the books were printed by b. Menocchio was a miller in Italy who interpreted
rubbing the paper against the surface of the the message of Bible. The Roman Catholic Church
woodblocks. was enraged due to his view of god and creation.
b. Earlier the silk route was used by China to c. The Roman Catholic Church started identifying
export silk and spices to Europe and in the 17th such ideas, beliefs and persons who wrote against
century through the same route Chinese paper the church and thus Menocchio was hauled up
reached Europe. twice and finally executed.
c. Marco Polo returned to Italy from China in d. Several restrictions were put over the publishers
the year 1295 and brought the technology of and the booksellers by the church and also the
woodblock printing. church ordered them to follow the Index of
d. To meet the expanded demand for books the prohibited books from 1558.
export of books increased, book fairs were 25. Who invented printing press? How did he develop the
held, organized the production of handwritten printing technology? [CBSE 2009]
manuscripts and woodblock printing became Ans :
more popular.
Johann Gutenberg developed the first known
22. “By the end of 19th century a new visual culture was printing press in 1430s at Strasbourg, Germany.
taking shape.” Explain. [CBSE 2011]
Most of his childhood was spent on a large
Ans :
agricultural estates where he saw wine and olive
It is true to state that by the end of 19th century presses. He learnt polishing stones and created lead
a new visual culture was taking shape. Lyrics, short moulds.
stories, essays on social and political matters, visual
The olive press was the model for the printing
images, calendars, caricatures and cartoons became
press and the moulds were used for casting the metal
the new forms of publications. Raja Ravi Varma was
types for the letters of the alphabet.
the famous painter in the 19th century India.
These new forms of publications popularized the
ideas of modernity and tradition, religion and
FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS
politics, and society and culture.
26. The ‘print revolution’ had transformed the lives of
23. How did new form of popular literature appear in
people changing their relationship to information and
print targeting new audience in the 18th century?
knowledge.” Analyse the statement.
Explain with examples. [CBSE 2012]
Ans : [CBSE 2018]
Ans :
Print revolution was a development in terms of
Lyrics, short stories, essays on social and political
producing the books in a newer and faster way which
matters, visual images, calendars, caricatures and
transformed the lives of the people, their relationship
cartoons became the new forms of publications.
with information and knowledge and opened ways
These new forms of publications popularized the
for newer perception in the world. The introduction
ideas of modernity and tradition, religion and
of printing press brought the following changes — a
politics, and society and culture.
new culture of reading emerged, cost of the books
Women’s reading increased among the middle came down, reduced the time and labour engaged in
class because their lives and feeling began to be publishing, produced multiple copies and the market
written. got flooded with books.
For the easy and affordable access of the printed The print culture helped in the circulation of
books to even the poor people very cheap, small books ideas, debates and discussion. It was used by the
were published and also the public libraries were set rebellions to let the people know the truth and take
up. Primary education was made compulsory and action against the established authorities.
hence the children became the important section of
In the 17th and 18th centuries number of schools
readers. The publishing industries started producing
were opened by the churches to spread literacy in the
the school textbooks.
villages and to the peasants and artisans which
24. Explain the effects of print culture in the religious caused a virtual reading mania.
sphere in early modern Europe. [CBSE 2010]
During this period the literacy increased which
Ans : rose the number of readers among the children, women
The print culture helped in the circulation of ideas, and workers.
debates and discussion. It was used by the rebellions 27. How did print introduce debate and discussions?
to let the people know the truth and take action
Explain any three points. [CBSE 2011]
against the established authorities. The printed books
Ans :
were welcomed and also people had fear due to the
rebellious and irreligious thoughts. a. The print culture spread the ideas of the great
a. Martin Luther was a religious reformer. He thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau. They
wrote 95 theses in the year 1517 against the criticized tradition, custom, superstition,
practices and rituals of the Roman Catholic despotism and the authority of church. They
Church. wanted rule of reason, questioning and
Chap 1.5 : Print Culture and Modern World
rationality.
Chap 1.5 : Print Culture and Modern World

b. Debate and dialogue started due to the coming of imprisoned at home,

the print culture which resulted in the re-evaluation
of the values, norms and the institutions. This
had brought the idea of social revolution.
c. The morality pf the royal powers were criticized
and the social order was questioned. The
cartoons and the caricatures revealed the sensual
pleasures of the monarchs and the hardship of
the common people. Hence, the people stood
against the monarchy.
d. During the 19th century, people debated,
interpreted and criticized the different religious
beliefs like widow immolation, monotheism,
Brahmanical priesthood and idolatry. Some
people campaigned for the reform whereas others
countered the arguments of the reformers.
e. The printed materials and the newspapers spread
the new ideas and also shaped the nature of
debate which gave opportunity to the people to
participate in the public debates.
28. “Printing press played a major role in shaping the
Indian society of the 19th century.” Analyse the
statement.
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
Yes, it is true to say that Printing press played a
major role in shaping the Indian society of the 19th
century.
a. The Portuguese missionaries firstly brought the
printing press to Goa in India in the mid-16th
century.
b. During the 19th century, people debated,
interpreted and criticized the different religious
beliefs like widow immolation, monotheism,
Brahmanical priesthood and idolatry. Some
people campaigned for the reform whereas others
countered the arguments of the reformers.
c. The printed materials and the newspapers spread
the new ideas and also shaped the nature of
debate which gave opportunity to the people to
participate in the public debates.
d. Women’s reading increased among the middle
class because their lives and feeling began to be
written and also the liberal husbands and fathers
focused on their education.
e. For the easy and affordable access of the printed
books to even the poor people very cheap, small
books were published and also the public libraries
were set up.
29. What was the attitude of the liberal and conservative
Indians towards women’s reading? How did women
like Kailashbhashini Debi respond to this in their
writings?
Ans : [CBSE 2014,2015]
Women’s reading increased among the middle class
because their lives and feeling began to be written
and also the liberal husbands and fathers focused on
their education.
The conservative Hindu families believed that the
literate girl would be widowed. The conservative
Muslim families thought that by reading Urdu
romances their women would be corrupted.
Kailashbhashini Debi from Bengal, wrote about
the experiences of the women such as how they are
 Chap 1.5 : Print Culture and Modern World
ignorance, forced work, unjust treatment at home and
society etc.
30. Explain with examples the role of print culture in the
bringing of the French revolution. [CBSE 2015]
Ans :
Three different arguments were put forward in
connection with the print culture and the French
revolution.
The print culture spread the ideas of the great
thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau. They criticized
tradition, custom, superstition, despotism and the
authority of church. They wanted rule of reason,
questioning and rationality. Debate and dialogue
started due to the coming of the print culture which
resulted in the re-evaluation of the values, norms and
the institutions. This had brought the idea of social
revolution. The morality of the royal powers were
criticized and the social order was questioned. The
cartoons and the caricatures revealed the sensual
pleasures of the monarchs and the hardship of the
common people. Hence, the people stood against the
monarchy.
It is not true to say that the print culture was the
direct cause of the French revolution. The print culture
spread the ideas but people were reading different
kinds of literature in which people like Voltaire and
Rousseau were also exposed. The people interpreted
the things in their own way as they accepted some
ideas and rejected others.
31. How had the earliest printing technology developed in
the world? Explain with examples.
Ans : [CBSE 2014]
The development of the earliest printing technology
can be traced as follows:
a. In the beginning the system of hand printing was
developed in China, Japan and Korea.
b. The wood block printing was developed in China. In
this technology the books were printed by rubbing
the paper against the surface of the woodblocks.
c. The volume of the print increased in China due
to the increase in the number of candidates in the
civil services exam through which the candidates
were recruited in the huge bureaucratic system.
d. 17th century urbanization in China also diversified
the use of print in China. The scholar officials,
merchants, rich women, wives and courtesans
started the use of print.
e. The western printing techniques and mechanical
presses reached the outpost of China and thus
Shanghai became the hub of this new print culture.
32. Martin Luther remarked, “Printing is the ultimate gift
of god and the greatest one.” Explain his remarks in
the light of religious reforms that took place in Europe.
Ans : [CBSE 2013]
Martin Luther was a religious reformer. He wrote
95 theses in the year 1517 against the practices and
rituals of the Roman Catholic Church.
This action of Martin Luther led to the division
Chap 1.5 : Print Culture and Modern World
within the church and marked the beginning of the
Protestants reformers. Luther said that the ‘printing b. Earlier, the society was divided into the oral
is the ultimate gift of god and the greatest one’ culture and reading culture. The common people
because 5000 copies of his translated New Testament had the oral culture while only the rich people
were sold within few weeks and also the 2nd edition had the reading culture,
came in the market in three months only. c. The common people heard the texts collectively
which were read out or recited or narrated to
Menocchio was a miller in Italy who interpreted them.
the message of Bible. The Roman Catholic Church d. The reading culture was only limited upto the
was enraged due to his view of god and creation. elites and they only read the books individually
The Roman Catholic Church started identifying and silently. The reason behind this culture may
such ideas, beliefs and persons who wrote against be the books were expensive, produced less in
the church and thus Menocchio was hauled up twice numbers and also the literacy rate was very low in
and finally executed. Several restrictions were put most of the European countries.
over the publishers and the booksellers by the church e. To solve the problem of illiteracy as a bander j in
and also the church ordered them to follow the Index the wider reach of the printed books, the popular
of Prohibited Books from 1558. ballads and folk tales beautifully illustrated with
33. Printing technology gave women a chance to share pictures were published which were sung and
their feelings with the world outside.” Support the recited in the village gatherings and the taverns
statement with any five examples. [CBSE 2013] in towns. Hence the line separating the oral
culture and the reading culture started becoming
Ans : blurred.
7th century urbanization in China also ) diversified the
use of print in China. The scholar officials, merchants,
rich women, wives and courtesans started the use of [Link]
print. W o m e n became the important readers as well
as writers. For women readers especially there was
penny magazines. These magazines were basically the
manuals of proper behaviour and housekeeping.
a. Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and George Eliot
were some famous women novelists. These women
novelists defined a new type of women with
will, strength of personality, determination and
power to think. Kailashbhashini Debi from Bengal,
wrote about the experiences of the women such
as how they are imprisoned at home, ignorance,
forced work, unjust treatment at home and
society etc.
b. Tarabai Shinde and Pandita Ramabai from
Maharashtra wrote about the miserable lives of
the widows.
c. The Hindi printing discussed the issues like
women’s education, widow remarriage and
national movement along with the household
and fashion lessons.
d. Istri Dharm Vichar was published by Ram
Chaddha of Punjab to teach women how to
become an obedient wife.
e. The Khalsa Tract Society also wrote about the
good qualities of women. It was basically in the
form of dialogues.
f. The Battala in the central Calcutta was known
for the printing of the popular books including
the religious as well as obscene and scandalous
literatures.
34. How did a new reading public emerge with the printing
press? Explain. [CBSE 2009]
Ans :
a. The introduction of printing press brought the
following changes - a new culture of reading
emerged, cost of the books came down, reduced
the time and labour engaged in publishing,
produced multiple copies and the market got
flooded with books.