Chapter 5. Print Culture and the Modern World-NCERT Exercise History Class 10 In English

Class 10 History – Chapter 5

Print Culture and the Modern World

50 Quick Revision Points (English Medium)

1. The development of printing technology greatly increased the spread of ideas and knowledge.

2. The earliest printing technology developed in China.

3. In China, printing was done using woodblock printing.

4. Initially, books were handwritten before printing technology developed.

5. Woodblock printing allowed large numbers of books to be produced.

6. In Japan, Buddhist missionaries used printing to publish religious texts.

7. The oldest printed book in Japan is the Diamond Sutra.

8. Printing technology reached Europe in the 15th century.

9. Johannes Gutenberg invented the first modern printing press.

10. Gutenberg printed the famous Gutenberg Bible around 1455.

11. Gutenberg’s press used movable metal type for printing.

12. Printing greatly increased the production of books.

13. Books became cheaper and more affordable.

14. More people began buying and reading books.

15. Literacy rates gradually increased.

16. Print helped spread the ideas of the Renaissance in Europe.

17. Martin Luther criticized the practices of the Catholic Church.

18. His writings were widely printed and circulated.

19. This led to the Protestant Reformation movement.

20. The Church tried to control the spread of printed books.

21. The Church prepared an Index of Prohibited Books.

22. Print helped spread scientific and philosophical ideas.

23. Newspapers and journals began to appear.

24. This led to the development of public opinion.

25. People started discussing political and social issues.

26. Printing technology came to India in the 16th century.

27. It was introduced by Portuguese missionaries.

28. Early printed books in India were mainly religious texts.

29. By the 19th century, books were printed in many Indian languages.

30. Newspapers and magazines became widely available.

31. Print played an important role in social reform movements.

32. Reformers used print to spread their ideas.

33. Raja Rammohan Roy used newspapers to promote reforms.

34. Books and journals encouraged women’s education.

35. Some conservative groups opposed women’s reading and education.

36. Women gradually began writing and publishing their works.

37. Books were also written for poor and lower caste groups.

38. Cheap books and pamphlets became widely available.

39. Public libraries were established in many places.

40. Awareness among people increased through printed materials.

41. Newspapers helped spread nationalist ideas.

42. Print played an important role in the Indian freedom movement.

43. The British government tried to control the press.

44. The Vernacular Press Act (1878) was introduced.

45. It aimed to control Indian language newspapers.

46. Indian journalists strongly opposed press restrictions.

47. Print helped create political awareness among people.

48. It encouraged debates and discussions in society.

49. Print culture contributed to the growth of democracy.

50. It played a crucial role in shaping the modern world.

Chapter 5 – Print Culture and the Modern World - NCERT EXERCISE

Write in Brief (NCERT Book Solution)

Q1. Give reasons for the following:

a) Woodblock print only came to Europe after 1295.

Answer: Woodblock printing was first developed in China. It came to Europe after 1295 when the Italian traveler Marco Polo returned from China and brought the knowledge of this printing technique with him.

b) Martin Luther was in favour of print and spoke out in praise of it.

Answer: Martin Luther supported print because it helped him spread his ideas criticizing the practices of the Catholic Church. His writings were widely printed and read, which helped the Protestant Reformation to grow rapidly.

c) The Roman Catholic Church began keeping an Index of Prohibited Books from the mid-sixteenth century.

Answer: The Church feared that printed books spreading new ideas could challenge its authority. Therefore, it prepared an Index of Prohibited Books to control reading and prevent the spread of ideas that were considered heretical.

d) Gandhi said the fight for Swaraj is a fight for liberty of speech, liberty of the press, and freedom of association.

Answer: Gandhi believed that freedom of speech and press were essential for expressing opinions and spreading nationalist ideas. These freedoms allowed people to unite and oppose colonial rule.

Q2. Write short notes

a) The Gutenberg Press

The Gutenberg Press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century in Germany. It used movable metal types and a hand press to print books quickly and efficiently. The first major book printed on this press was the Gutenberg Bible. This invention revolutionized the production of books and made knowledge accessible to more people.

b) Erasmus’s idea of the printed book

Erasmus, a humanist scholar, believed that printed books were a powerful means of spreading knowledge and new ideas. However, he also feared that too many books could spread false ideas and create confusion among readers.

c) The Vernacular Press Act

The Vernacular Press Act was passed by the British government in India in 1878. Its purpose was to control Indian language newspapers that criticized colonial policies. The Act allowed the government to censor publications and suppress nationalist ideas.

Q3. What did the spread of print culture in nineteenth century India mean to:

a) Women

The spread of print created new opportunities for women to read and write. Many books, magazines, and journals began to discuss women's education and social reforms. Women also started writing and publishing their own works.

b) The poor

Cheap printed books and pamphlets became available for poor people. Public libraries and schools helped them access printed material, which increased awareness and education among the lower classes.

c) Reformers

Social and religious reformers used print to spread their ideas and criticize social evils. Printed books, newspapers, and pamphlets helped reformers communicate with a wider audience.

Discuss

Q1. Why did some people in eighteenth century Europe think that print culture would bring enlightenment and end despotism?

Many thinkers believed that print culture would spread knowledge, education, and scientific thinking among people. As people became more informed, they would question traditional authority and oppose oppressive rulers. Thus, print was seen as a force that could promote enlightenment and democracy.

Q2. Why did some people fear the effect of easily available printed books? Give one example from Europe and one from India.

Some people feared that printed books could spread rebellious or heretical ideas and disturb social order.

• Europe: The Roman Catholic Church feared that printed religious texts criticizing the Church would weaken its authority, so it created the Index of Prohibited Books.
• India: The British government feared nationalist ideas spreading through newspapers, so it passed the Vernacular Press Act to control Indian-language publications.

Q3. What were the effects of the spread of print culture for poor people in nineteenth century India?

The spread of print made cheap books and pamphlets available to poor people. They gained access to education, religious texts, and reformist ideas. This increased awareness and encouraged them to participate in social and political discussions.

Q4. Explain how print culture assisted the growth of nationalism in India.

Print culture played a major role in spreading nationalist ideas through newspapers, books, and pamphlets. These printed materials informed people about British exploitation and inspired them to join the freedom struggle. Print also helped leaders communicate with large audiences and build a sense of national unity.