Historical Study Of Print Journalism (Newspapers) In Manipur (1910-1980)
- Part 1 -

By A Chungmeikamei *

The history of journalism dates back to the beginning of the art of printing. It is believed that the use of movable types for the printing press was first started in China between the 9th and 11th century. Again, it was in China that paper was manufactured for the first time. The world's first printed book from blocks was printed by Wang chieh in China sometime in 868 A.D. in memory of his parents.

The oldest evidence of Chinese printing is a Buddhist scripture known as "Diamond Sutra" dated 868 A.D. The first newspaper was probably handwritten newssheets that governments posted in public places. The earliest known newssheet was probably 'Acta Diurnal/Daily Event' which began in Rome in 59 B.C. It prepared the proceedings of the Roman Senate and such news as birth and deaths. The first newspaper was a Chinese circular called 'Tipao'. It was printed from carved wooden blocks during the A.D. 700's

The credit for ushering in the printing press in India goes to the Jesuit Missionaries in 1 550 A.D. The Jesuits brought the first printing press to India. In the beginning, only religious books were published in three languages viz Portuguese, Tamil and Malayalam. In India news writing in the shape of newsletter had become quite a prevalent during the Mughal period. Although the Manuscript reports were meant inclusively for official use yet they were also copied sometimes for wider use.

The first ever, put to start a newspaper in Calcutta, was made by one William Bolts but in reality Hichey started the first newspaper "Bengal Gazette" at Calcutta. His newspaper consisted of two sheets only.

The late arrival of the wake of print media journal in Manipur may be due to the fact that the State being a hilly state with lack of communication facilities and less population inhabited by the people of varied small communities speaking different dialects/ languages, it remains aloof from other states or countries. Besides print media has no value to an illiterate.

Despite the fact that Jananeta Hijam Irabot published Meetei Chanu in 1922 as the pioneer in this field but many feels that it cannot be treated as the first chapter of print media journalism in this state as the said publication was not a printed one in those days. Hence, the real credit of pioneering print media journalism in Manipur should be awarded to Tongjam Gokulchandrar Singh who started publishing the daily newspaper Dainik Manipur Patrika on 23rd March, 1933 for the first time.

Thereafter, printed journals and newspaper came in one another. It is said that the origin of Manipuri journalism is however started from outside Manipur. Meitei Leima a hand written magazine brought out during 1917-18 and it is known also to be the pioneer magazine of Manipuri journalism though the magazine did not last long.

However all the publication in those days failed to continue successively. Framing a historical foundation of print media journalism in Manipur, an order was issued by the Manipur state Durbar granting acceptance to published Dainik Manipur Patrika on 6th July 1932. Accordingly, the publication work of the daily newspaper was started under the Registrar No. C2053. Again, according to the Durbar Resolution No. 5 (R), monthly journal Lalit Manjuri Patrika edited by Arambam Dorendrajit Singh was also started its publication from September 1933.

During the early 1920 and till 1939 whether newspapers are large sized or small sized most of them are printed by typed and ink on newsprint. The newspapers produced were limited and freedom of press is also subject to continuing struggle. With the introduction of printing press, the existence of newspaper and journal started. However with the gap of development in Manipur and rest of the country is very wide.

The government press was started in the year 1918 with estimated amount for opening the printing press was Rs. 3250/- which was approved by the government vide resolution No. 15. 27-06-1 91 8 of Manipur Darbar held on 26th June 1910. The first state administration report of 1919-20 was published and printed at the Manipur Government Press in the year 1 920 in English. Later a platen printing machine was procured in the year 1925. In the year 1963 the first automatic cylinder printing machine "Victoria Front-DF" was purchase by the government press Manipur and it was commission on February 20, 1963.

In the same year another automatic printing machine polygraph OM-I was also purchase by a private press - "Friends Union Press". In the year 1 968 mechanical composing machine monotype composing and casting machine was installed for the first time in Manipur government press. Then process engraving was started in 1 969 by a private party - "Mitam Sang Process Engraver".

The growth and development of the press however articulated the journalism. Before the proper facilities of using printing machines in Manipur the Manipuri's used hand written and cyclostyle publication.

Meitei Leima and Jagaran are some of the worth mentioning from Cachar and Pratapghar where the Manipuri students studying outside brought out with the help of the hand written system. Meitei Chanu another hand written journal in the years probably in 1925-26. Hijam Irabot editor of Meitei Chanu from Imphal published 5/6 issues.

To be continued ...