Chapter 5 – Alternative Ideas and Initiative | Chapter Solution Class 10

Short type questions

Question 1

What are two important characteristic features of the pre-modern era of the Bengali printing press?

Answer

The two important characteristic features of the pre-modern era of the Bengali printing press are

• In modern Bengal, printing and publishing started getting modernized in 1935.
• Instead of wooden blocks, metal blocks were introduced, and the printing of coloured photographs was made possible through the introduction of the linotype and monotype printing processes.

Question 2

Why Vidyasagar was called ‘Vidyabanik’?

Answer

In 1885 Vidyasagar opened a book store “Kolkata Pustakalay” in 24, Sukia Street. His own and other copy write books were published and sold from this place. For these reasons, Vidyasagar is also called Vidyabanik or the commercial educationist.

Question 3

Who was called ‘The Serampore Trio’ ?

Answer

Answer

Question 4

Give the names of two publishers of ‘Battala”.

Answer

Bisweshar Deb and Bhabanicharan Bandyopadhyay.

Question 5

Give the names of any two books of Upendra kishore.

Answer

The names of two books written by Upendra Kishore:

(a) Goopi Gayen Bagha Bayen.

(b) Tuntunir Boi.

Question 6

Which was the first Technological College of Bengal? When was it established?

Answer

Bengal College Civil Engineering established in 1856.

Question 7

Who founded the ‘Bose Institute and when?

Answer

Bose Institute was set up in 1917 by Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose (1858 – 1937), the founder of modern science in the Indian subcontinent.

Question 8

What was the aim of the National council of education?

Answer

The aim of the National council of education were

1. to set up an education system controlled by Indians in place of British dominance.
2. to create national consciousness.

Question 9

Why did Rabindranath establish Visvabharati? 

Answer

Rabindranath establish Visvabharati

1.  To create an institution that would promote a blend of Indian and Western education, culture and values.
2. He aimed to create an environment that fostered creativity, critical thinking and appreciation of diverse cultures, with a focus on developing well-rounded individuals who could contribute to the betterment of society.

Question 10

Give an idea about Rabindranath’s views about children’s education.

Answer

Rabindranath believed that education should be a joyful experience for children that nurtures their creativity and imagination. He emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to education that encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual development. He also believed that education should be accessible to all, regardless of their social or economic status.

Question 11

Why did the printing press help to spread education?

Answer

With the modernizing of the printing press, there was a massive growth in the spread of education since cheap books of education were easily available. After the start of the monthly Bangadarshan in 1872, the era of social newspapers started in Bengal.

Question 12

What were the purposes of the foundation of Sriniketan?

Analytical questions

Question 1

Give an account of the growth of the Bengali printing press from the middle of the 19th century.

Answer

From the mid-19th century, the modernization of the Bengali printing press led to a significant growth in the spread of education. The monthly Bangadarshan, started in 1872 by Bankim Chandra, marked the beginning of social newspapers in Bengal. This magazine serially published Bankim Chandra’s novels, including Bishbriksha, Indira, Chandrasekhar, Rajani, and Krishnakanter Will. Iswarchandra Vidyasagar’s Barnaparichay introduced the system of 12 vowels and 40 consonants, instead of the existing 16 vowels and 34 consonants, which was widely accepted. Before Vidyasagar, Battala Literature, a new trend in Bengali publications, existed from 1840 to 1870, catering to the thirst of the new English-educated youth for more knowledge and literary works. The literature of that time contained ancient and historical content, inspiring contemporary readers. The Bengali printing press facilitated the spread of knowledge and transformed the thought process of the readers.

Question 2

Discuss the relationship between printed books and spread of education.

Answer

The relationship between printed books and the spread of education is a significant one. With the advent of the printing press, books became more easily accessible and affordable to the general public, which led to a rapid spread of knowledge and education. The availability of cheap books enabled people to educate themselves and acquire knowledge, which was previously inaccessible due to the high cost of handwritten manuscripts.

In Bengal, the growth of education and the spread of knowledge can be traced back to the publication of the monthly magazine Bangadarshan in 1872 by Bankim Chandra. The serial publication of novels such as Bishbriksha, Indira, Chandrasekhar, Rajani, and Krishnakanter Will in the magazine introduced new ideas and perspectives to the readers, which had a significant impact on their thought processes.

Question 3

Give an idea about the business aspects of the printing press.

Answer

The printing press industry in Calcutta and Bengal had significant commercial implications. Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar was a key figure in this industry and is considered the first commercial books vendor of modern Bengal. He established the Sanskrit Press in 1847 and became its absolute owner in 1856. From here, many copies of his and others’ works were printed regularly, and he earned a significant income from selling his educational books, making around three to four thousand rupees every month. He opened the Sanskrit Press Depository, the first book shop in College Street, and transferred the exclusive rights of his book store to Brajanath Mukherjee in 1864. In 1885, at the autumn of his life, he opened another book store, Kolkata Pustakalay, in 24, Sukia Street. Serampore Press was also printing books in 34 languages, and the Battala Publishers were publishing low priced books and photographs for the common man. Overall, the printing press industry played a significant role in the commercial and educational development of Bengal in the later half of the 19th century.

Question 4

Give an account of the talent of Upendra Kishore in the area of printing.

Answer

Upendra Kishore Roy Choudhury was a pioneer in printing in India. He introduced many revolutionary techniques and equipment in the printing industry, including modern half-tone blocks in South Asia. He learned the craft of printing with modern blocks in England and started a successful business making modern printing blocks upon his return to India. He also introduced the use of photographs in books and cover pages, known as “Process Work.” To improve picture quality, he used various techniques like the ‘Sixty degree screen’, ‘diafram method’, and ‘tintprocess’. He founded a studio for drawing pictures and started his own publication house named ‘U. Roy & Sons’ in 1895. He was the first Bengali in Asia to start a colored printing press named U. Roy & Sons in 1913, from where the first children’s magazine ‘Sandesh’ was published. Upendra Kishore’s invention of the Screen Adjester Machine was commercially made in England with a new brand name ‘Roy Screen Adjester Machine.’

Question 5

Give a description of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science.

Answer

The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) was founded by Mahendralal Sarkar on July 29, 1876, making it India’s oldest center for the study of basic science. The institution was funded by citizen contributions and contributed significantly to Bengal’s cultural and intellectual development in the 19th century. The goal of the IACS was to disseminate scientific knowledge without government aid, encourage young students to study and research basic sciences, and promote science for the benefit of the country in the future. The institution’s main focus was on basic science research, and it continues to pursue this goal. Lecturers at the institution included distinguished figures such as Father Eugene Lafont, Jagadish Chandra Basu, Chunilal Bose, Premnath Bose, and Ashutosh Mukherjee. The IACS trust board included luminaries such as Vidyasagar and Keshab Chandra Sen. Raja Pyarimohan Mukherjee, Dr. Nil Ratan Sarkar, Gyan Chandra Ghosh, and Dr. Satyendranath Bose, a renowned physicist, were among the institution’s presidents. Professor C.V. Raman, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on light waves known as the “Raman Effect” (1928), was associated with the institute from 1907 to 1933.

Question 6

Analyse the basis of criticism of colonial education.

Answer

Rabindranath Tagore was a critic of the colonial education system in India during British rule. He opposed the strict discipline enforced by teachers, the fear of failing exams, and the confinement of students to classrooms. He believed that education should enable and promote thinking and evaluation, leading to all-round development of the mind and ideal character. Rabindranath felt that the Gurukul system of education in ancient India was more effective in allowing the mind to evolve and develop on its own. He believed that the colonial education system ignored Indian history and culture and was more like a chain forcibly keeping Indians in bondage. Rabindranath argued that education should be imparted through the mother tongue to maintain a balance between education and life, and that there was no glory of Indian cultural legacy in the colonial education system. He believed that education should promote inner harmony amongst nature, man, and god, and should not be oppressive to students. Rabindranath’s criticism of colonial education led him to establish the institute of Shantiniketan, which aimed to provide a humanist, creative education within a natural environment.

Question 7

Discuss the correlation of nature, man and education in the thoughts of Rabindranath.

Answer

Rabindranath Tagore believed in the fusion of man, nature, and education, which he thought was possible only in a Gurukul-like atmosphere. According to him, for a child, nature is the ideal teacher, and it plays an important role in developing the mind and body of a child. He emphasized the necessity of open air, skies, and green vegetation for the proper development of a young child. Rabindranath was a great admirer of Leo Tolstoy’s simple way of life and love for nature, which influenced him to a great extent. He envisioned Shantiniketan’s environment as a place where the greens of nature were the best teacher for children. In his childhood, while studying at Norman School, Rabindranath missed the open skies and fresh air, which made him realize that a child’s mind always longs for outdoor activities. Therefore, he took the first class of children under a blueberry tree, highlighting the importance of nature in education.

Question 8

Why did Rabindranath Tagore founded the Visvabharati?

Answer

Rabindranath Tagore founded Visva-Bharati University in 1921 with the aim of creating a center of learning that would blend the best of Indian and Western cultures. He believed that such a university could foster a deeper understanding between different cultures and promote universal human values. For Tagore, education was not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about developing a holistic understanding of the world and our place in it. He felt that the existing education system was too focused on narrow, utilitarian goals and did not cultivate the creative and spiritual aspects of human nature. Visva-Bharati was envisioned as a place where students could engage with nature, explore their creativity, and develop a sense of social responsibility. The university was also intended to serve as a meeting ground for scholars and artists from around the world, promoting cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration.

Question 9

Discuss the contribution of Upendra Kishore Roychoudhury to the growth of Bengali Press.