Question
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.