Conjectures, Contradictions, Confusions: Bigotry and Nineteenth-Century Bengali Media (1818–1880s)

As we know, nineteenth-century Bengal witnessed aggressive religious debates, and denunciation of various aspects of society, culture and the economy relying on the vocabulary of religious discourse. Newspapers emerged as the most effective organs for different religious institutions and champions of this kind of belligerent, hostile discourse. Being inspired by the Srirampur missionaries’ vernacular journalism, and the English newspapers of the time, the Bengalis also took to the new medium for disseminating information, ideas and opinions. From its early days, the vernacular editors were ‘strengthening the principle of loyalty’1 to the Queen, the Company officials, zamindars, indigo planters, in order to protect their interests, although they could occasionally be mildly critical of colonial rule. They were divided into adherents of contending Hindu and Bramho philosophy, resorting also to dexterously scathing remarks against the Muslims.2 This article looks at the ways in which the print-media of the nineteenth century articulated opinions on a wide range of issues, often promoting bigotry through their journalistic practice.