Origin and development of Hindi journalism

Prabhat Kishore
Contd from previous issue
In 1873 itself, Bharatenduji started publishingthe monthly magazine “Harishchandra Magazine” and worked to popularise modern Hindi. Vyasji considered him an immortal gift of Hindi journalism. In 1874,this magazine became “Harishchandra Chandrika” and was published for eight years. This was the third magazine to come out of Kashi. In 1884, he started the publication of his new”Harishchandra Chandrika” and continued it till the last moment of his life. He also brought out a Vaishnavism-oriented magazine called “Bhagvat Toshini”, which lasted for a year.
Another example of Bharatendu era being poetic is the ‘Brahmin’ paper. Its editor Pratap Narayan Mishra, tired of asking for the donation of the paper, sometimes had to plead through the verse –Aath Maas Bite Jajman. Aab To Karo Dakshina Daan.
The motto of “Kavi Vachan Sudha” was- Nitya-Nitya Nav Yah, Kavi Vachan Sudha Sakal Ras Khani. Piahun Rasik Aanand Bhari, Param Raag Jiya Jaani. Sudha Sada Surpur Basay Se Nay Tumhare Jog. Taso Aadar Dehu Aaru Piahun Yahi Budh Log.
 When “Kavi Vachan Sudha” was a monthly paper, then the works of ancient poets edited by Bharatendu ji were published in it. When it became a  fortnightly, political and social essays started getting published. According to the Uttar Pradesh Gazette, a total of 250 copies were printed,out of  which 100 copies was taken by the British government and 150 copies were consumed by the public. This was the time when only two or four copies of some papers could reach the public.
The area of “Harishchandra Chandrika” was very vast. Literature, science, religious articles, archaeology, book reviews, drama, novels, history, poetry, gossip, humor and satirical were published in the newspaper. So many subjects could not have been conceived then. Bharatendu ji believed that for the progress of the country, not only the indigenous thing, but also  its own language is  essential. He hated the teaching of slavery. His motto was –Nij Bhasha Unnati YaheSab Unnati Ki Mool. Bin Nij Bhasha Gyan Ke Mitay Nahiy Ko Sool.
Every writer or poet of the Bharatendu era was the editor of some paper. These papers gave strength to the reformist movement and gave impetus to the art of essay. But in spite of all this, no paper could last long due to lack of education and interest. During Harishchandra’s lifetime, 25 magazines came out, in which three papers”Bharat Mitra” (Fortnightly, 1872), “Sar Sudha Nidhi” (Weekly, 1887) and “Uchit Vakta” (Weekly, 1880) were published from Kolkata. Its motivator and director was Durga Prasad Mishra.  To be contd