The first newspaper in Urdu, which was published two hundred years ago

‘A new newspaper has been published in Indian language, but who is it related to and who published it? No one could tell us anything about it. It does not have a prospectus nor does the name of the issuer appear on it. The newspaper consists of three sheets of quarter size and is called ‘Jam Jahan Nama’. Its first issue was published on Wednesday, March 27.

This news appeared in the Calcutta Journal in 1822 and referred to Urdu as the ‘Indian language’.

‘Jam Jahan Nama’ was the first newspaper published in British India after Bengali in a vernacular written in Nastaliq script.

Its founder was Harihardt and manager Munshi Sada Sukhlal and both were employees of the East India Company. The newspaper was owned by William Hopkins Peirce and Company, a British trading house in Calcutta.

It is recorded in the history books that on March 27, 1822, when the publication of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ started from Calcutta, the capital of undivided India, a notice was published in the first issue, stating that it was a weekly newspaper and that Can be purchased for Rs.2 per month.

Although early issues of this first Urdu newspaper are not available anywhere, some later copies exist in the National Archives of India, New Delhi, the National Library of Calcutta and the Oriental and India Office Collections of the British Library, London.

Dr. Sami Ahmad in his book ‘Urdu Journalism and Freedom Movement’ states: ‘It was a weekly newspaper published on Wednesdays and issued from No. 11 Circular Road (in Calcutta). Later his office was shifted to Kullu Tula Street. Its cover (in the header) had a picture of the East India Company on either side.’

Gurbachan Chandan writes in his book ‘Jam Jahan Nama: The Origins of Urdu Journalism’ that Harihardt turned to the Urdu language at a time when it had not entered the field of journalism and was only colloquial.

It was the vision of Harihardt who first used the Urdu language for a new genre of print journalism, but this experiment was not immediately successful. Majority of the people were illiterate and poor. However, after about two months, he left Urdu and adopted Persian, which was the language of the elite at that time.

But Harihardt’s dedication to Urdu did not diminish. A year later, he added an independent Urdu supplement to the Persian newspaper, which continued to be published for five years.

This four-page supplement was published regularly from May 23, 1823 to January 23, 1828, that is, for four years and eight months. A total of 241 issues were printed during this period, of which the first 141 were general and the last 100 were historical series.

‘The first 80 issues are not available in the records of the National Archives of India, New Delhi. In the remaining 161 issues, about 500 news items were printed which, despite the difficulties and shortages of the times, offer excellent examples of diversity and topics.’

‘There were also scientific reports about new inventions. The language of the news was simple and the presentation informative. Occasionally there were subtle and amusing tidbits of human interest which were often fine examples of autobiography.’

From 1st March 1826 (Issue No. 142) he started publishing historical series. They often had one and sometimes two news items in each issue, but each one of them detailed an entire phase of history.

Dr. Tehina Islam, assistant professor of the history department of Alia University, Calcutta, writes in her paper ‘A Case Study of Urdu Newspaper Jam Jahan Nama’ that there was no editorial in this newspaper.

“It did not take part in any controversy but it supported social reform works, especially the abolition of sati (the practice of burning one’s husband).

Scientific and developmental news were published in this newspaper in an interesting manner. Publication of social, religious and cultural news was also given importance. Pictures were also included for better understanding of the readers.

‘(Looking at the news printed in it) we find that ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ used to publish mostly official news. His tone was mild. This newspaper received constant support and patronage from the officials of the British East India Company.

Gurbachan Chandan writes in his book ‘Journey of Urdu Journalism’: ‘In the confined and hazy days of journalism when the facilities of letters and messages were few and far between, ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ was mostly available translations of English newspaper articles and news. and depended on the publication of correspondence received in his office by Persian chroniclers.

‘These chroniclers included his own correspondents active in various parts of the country and at the courts of native states.’

Dr. Sami Ahmad writes: ‘Each page in the Urdu appendix had two columns. The monthly subscription of the Persian magazine was two rupees and that of the Urdu magazine was one rupee. The agent of this newspaper was Khas Tara Chand from Kullu Tola Street.’

Nader Ali Khan writes in his book ‘Urdu Journalism Ki Tarikh’ that in the beginning, the names of the owner, editor and publisher were not recorded in ‘Jam Jahan Nama’, not even the issue number was arranged.

From the eighth issue (dated Wednesday, May 15, 1822), a Persian column was started, which became so popular that after two issues, the paper began to be published in Persian instead of Urdu, and with the same publication, the issue number was also increased. went. Thus, it is as if the era of Persian began from May 29, 1822.’

Dr. Sami Ahmad writes that a major proof of the origin of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ in Urdu language is an advertisement published in ‘Maratul Akhbar’.

On April 20, 1822, when Raja Ram Mohan Roy launched a Persian weekly, Marat-ul-Akhbar, his advertisement was published in the Calcutta General as follows: “The editor informs the public that there are many newspapers published in this country, but the Persian No newspaper has yet been brought out, by which those who are ignorant of English in general, and the inhabitants of Northern India in particular, may know the news.’

He writes that if the language of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ was Persian, it would never have been written in the advertisement that no newspaper has been published in Persian yet.

Gurbachan Chandan writes that ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ may not prove to be pure gold by today’s criteria, but it was definitely the first step on the ladder of printed Urdu journalism, with the example of its immediate and worthy successors. ‘Delhi Urdu Akhbar’ developed its structure and layout.

It was not a revolutionary newspaper, but it was the first representative of the prose of a language that had been standing on the verge of colloquialism for centuries in the harsh environment of its time. There was no marked trend of newspaper reading or reading among the speakers of this language.’

According to Dr. Sami Ahmed, only after ‘Jam Jahannama’ did the ground become smooth and the atmosphere favorable for the publication of Urdu newspapers in India.

Was ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ a spokesman for the British?

Gurbachan Chandan writes that ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ is generally believed to have been a newspaper brought out by the British East India Company and was supportive of the company’s imperialist aims.

There are apparently three reasons for this notion. First, the official seal of the East India Company continued to appear on the cover of the early issues of the newspaper. Secondly, its founder, Harihardt, was an editor in the East India Company’s treasury office at Fort William, and thirdly, the newspaper’s printer was a European trading firm called William Hopkins Pearce & Company.

But the original issues of the newspaper and other records available at the National Archives of India, New Delhi, show that the reality of the newspaper is very different from the popular perceptions about it, and the writings of most historians do not match the facts. .’

Gurbachan Chandan writes in his book that most historians have concluded from the printing association of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ with William Hopkins Peirce’s printing house that this firm was a proxy or instrumentality of the East India Company hence ‘Jam Jahan Nama’. It was also a stipend or submissive newspaper.

‘But it would not be right to assume on hearing the name of a foreign trading establishment that it was an instrument of the East India Company. Historians of the ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ as a submissive newspaper refer strongly to the official emblem of the East India Company which continued to appear on its front cover.

“Indeed, the mark remained in print until August 27, 1828, but then suddenly disappeared from the issue of September 3, 1828, and remained absent for the next 60 years of its existence.”

Gurbachan Chandan believes that the publication of the company logo on the cover of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ was a ploy to obtain official news and other journalistic privileges. ‘The success and growth of fledgling journalism at that time required the approval of the government and probably this could have been easily obtained by the publication of this official emblem. As if publishing the official mark was just a commercial ploy.

‘Furthermore, this was a period when the company’s power was at its height and its directors were determined to maintain their newfound status.’

Dr Sami Ahmad writes in his book that the first issue of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ which is in the National Archives of India, has the East India Company stamp on its cover.

Below it, the name of the newspaper is written in Nastaliq, ‘Jam Jahan Nama’. Below it is the newspaper number and date. Below this is the newspaper price advertisement in English, the Urdu translation of which is:

European friends, if they wish to purchase this newspaper for their own reading or for the generous desire of spreading knowledge among the Indian employees of their office, may purchase this newspaper at the cost of three rupees per month, including Urdu, on request from the Tara Chand Dut Mohalla Kullu Tola. Appendix may be sent to their service.’

Dr. Sami Ahmad writes that this advertisement shows that the logo of the East India Company was printed on the cover of the newspaper with a ban so that the company’s official advertisements, news and the news of the appointment and change of Sahib Bahaduran could easily reach the people. go

It is sad that the newspaper which paved the way for journalism in India for 60 years has not been treated with justice, but ironically, it has been treated with disdain as an untimely ragini and a paperless newspaper. .

‘Initially for a few days this newspaper was owned by the East India Company. His policy was also decided accordingly but later on he was cut off from the East India Company for writing an article against Maharaja Ranjit Singh.’

‘Jam Jahan Nama’ and the English

Nadir Ali Khan writes in his book that Munshi Sada Sukhlal, the editor of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’, started the publication of the Urdu supplement for the British from May 23, 1823.

“Munshi Sada Sukhlal renewed the Urdu newspaper after a year, but this regression was not at the demand of Indian taste but in view of the office and academic needs of European traders and scholars.”

Dr. Sami Ahmad writes that the announcement of the publication of the Urdu supplement for the British was on the front page of every newspaper in English.

The Urdu translation of this announcement is as follows: Editor Jam Jahan Nama respectfully informs the public that the newspaper will be made more interesting, enjoyable and useful for the European section of the newspaper’s constituents.

Therefore, we have decided to publish a supplement of this newspaper in pure Indian or Urdu language. If it is bought together with a Persian newspaper, the contribution will be four annas per paper or one rupee per month. But if only the Urdu supplement is purchased, the donation will be two rupees per month.’

Important events of the journey of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’

Gurbachan Chandan writes in his book that Harihardt applied to the then Chief Secretary William Butterworth Bailey for registration of his newspaper a year after the publication of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’.

‘About a year after the publication of the paper, when the Governor-General, Lord Hastings, left, John Adam, a senior member of the Council, was appointed Acting Governor-General.

As soon as he took charge, he issued orders on April 4, 1823, which made it compulsory for newspapers and printing houses to obtain official licenses from the government and to file affidavits of their printers and editors.

In pursuance of this order, Harihardt, on behalf of Jam Jahannama, made a request to the Chief Secretary on April 19, 1823, in which he wrote: ‘The regulations lately enacted for the future guidance of newspapers, I have the honor to file the required affidavit and this official statement regarding.

“I respectfully request you to grant me permission to issue the required license so that I can continue the Persian and Indian newspaper named ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ (of which I am the sole owner).”

Gurbachanchandan writes that along with this application, Harihardt also filed an affidavit of William Hopkins Pierce, the printer of his newspaper, in which the merchant house admitted to being the printer of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’.

“On the basis of these documents, on April 19, 1823, under the signature of the Chief Secretary, Harihardt was granted an official license to publish a periodical (Journal) in Persian and Indian languages ​​called ‘Jam Jahan Nama’.”

Gurbachan Chandan, in his book on the abolition of the Urdu supplement in Jam Jahan Nama, writes that his Urdu writings highlighted the immense potential of this nascent language (Urdu), but lack of buyers led to the age of the Urdu section of the newspaper. Shortened.

So when its publication was stopped on January 23, 1828, the editor had to write that the best admirers, through whose enjoyment this paper (i.e. newspaper) gained fame and glory, do not like Urdu text.

‘Only two weeks after this announcement, in the Persian Jam Jahannama of February 6, 1828, we are informed by the editor that he had been suffering from physical ailments and mental strain for several days. The hands are unable to work and the heart is somehow not in the bus.

‘Though he has been doing his journalistic work for a long time, he must now ask his kind readers to bear with his infirmities until he recovers.

‘It appears that after this Sada Sukhlal decided to leave Calcutta and went to Agra, his native place.’

Who were Harihardt and Munshi Sada Sukhlal?

Dr. Tehmina Islam writes in her paper that Harihardt was the son of famous Bengali journalist Tarachand Dutt.

Tarachand Dutt was one of the founders of the Bengali weekly newspaper ‘Sambad Kumudi’. The editor of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ was Lala Sada Sukh Lal, a native of Mirzapur, who was a Munshi by profession. He was earlier associated with ‘Samachar Chandrika’.’

Gurbachan Chandan writes in his book that the situation today is that we do not get any information about the founders of ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ from the book of any historian of Urdu journalism.

‘In these (books) it is only written that the owner of the newspaper was Harihardt and the editor was Sada Sukhlal. Not only Urdu but also English and Hindi researchers who have mentioned something about ‘Jam Jahan Nama’ are silent about it.

I inquired from several Urdu professors and editors for his biography. Advertised in many Urdu newspapers. See National Archives of India records. Letters were written to India Office Library London, National Library Calcutta and West Bengal State Archives offices but could not get this biography from anywhere.

Therefore, I have tried to gather some material about the personality and performance of these gentlemen from the available records of the newspaper and other materials. The evidence shows that these two Companions lived long lives, most of which were spent in journalism and the cultivation of Persian and Urdu languages.

Gurbachan Chandan writes that although there is not much information about Harihardt in the history of Urdu journalism, but since he started his journalistic career with Bangla journalism under the leadership of Ram Mohan Roy, some miscellaneous information about him is available. It is found in Bengali historians.

The available information shows that the founder of Urdu journalism (Hari Hardat) was not just an editor in the government office but also a man who tried his luck in the fields of commerce and knowledge. He was the head of a wealthy Dutt family of Bengal. His grandfather Ram Nindhi Dutt was the Dewan of the Custom House for about 50 years.

Harihardt therefore chose Sada Sukh Lal to edit his newspaper because he was not only an intelligent and knowledgeable minister but also used to teach Urdu and Persian to the Ferangis.

The said person lived in Mirzapur area of ​​Calcutta, which was a neighborhood of Harihardt’s neighborhood of Kullu Tulu. Like Harihardt, we could not know the birth and death dates of Sada Sukhlal.’