ST.
JOHN’S PUBLIC SCHOOL
Jalladianpet ● Medavakkam ● Chennai – 600 100
History . Chapter 5. Print Culture and The Modern World
Class: X Subject: Social Science
Class Notes
1. How did print come to Europe from China? CBSE 2010,11,12
In the 11th century, Chinese paper reached Europe from China through silk
route. Paper made possible; the production of manuscripts carefully written by
scribes.
In 1295 Marco Polo returned to Italy after many years of exploration in
China then the Italian’s began producing books with woodblocks, soon the
technology spread to the other parts of Europe.
2. Who was Martin Luther? What was his contribution to the protestant
reformation? CBSE 2014
Martin Luther was a Christian monk, priest and professor of theology. He
wrote Ninety-five theses criticising many of the practices and rituals of the Roman
Catholic Church.
He taught that salvation is not earned by good deeds but received only as a
gift of God’s grace.
A national church was established by him in Germany and prayers began to
be held in German language.
3. What are manuscripts? Write any three short comings of manuscripts.
Manuscripts is the original copy of the play, book, or music before it has been
printed.
Manuscripts were fragile, difficult to handle and could not be carried around.
Copying was an expensive, laborious, and time-consuming business.
Their circulation remains limited, this couldn’t satisfy the increasing demand
for books.
4. Describe the effects of reading Mania. 2016
Books sellers roamed around to sell books.
Penny Chapbook were carried by petty pedlars in England for a penny.
In France Billiotheque Bleue, which were low priced small books were
printed.
Newspapers, journals containing information started circulating.
Text containing ideas of scientist and philosophers became popular.
5. Examine the role of missionaries in the growth of press in India.
Portuguese missionaries in the mid-16th century introduced the printing press
first in Goa.
Jesuit priest learnt Konkani and printed several books.
Catholic priest printed the first Tamil book in the year1579 at cochin and the
first Malayalam book in 1713
In 1710 Dutch protestant missionaries also had printed 32 Tamil texts , many of
them were translation of old books
6. What restrictions were imposed by the Vernacular Press Act on the Indian
Press? Explain.
Or
In what ways the Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was a repressive step by the
government? Explain.CBSE 2011
Or
Why was the Vernacular Press Act passed in 1878? CBSE 2020
The 'Vernacular Press Act' was passed in 1878 under the Governor-
Generalship and Vice-royalty of Lord Lytton to control the Vernacular papers. The
act empowered the government to impose restrictions on the press in the following
ways
This Act provided the government with extensive rights to censor reports
and editorials in the vernacular press.
The Act controlled the printing and circulation of seditious material,
specifically which were against the British Government in India.
The Act gave powers to the government to track the Vernacular
newspapers.
7. Which was the first book printed by Gutenberg? Explain any four unique
features of it.CBSE 2012
Or
Explain the main features of the first printed Bible.CBSE 2010
Or
Describe any three features of the first printed Bible.CBSE 2010
The first book printed by Gutenberg was Bible.
Following are the features of Bible:
(1) Gutenberg printed about 180 copies of Bible, of which no more than 50 have
survived.
(ii) The book was printed in the new Gutenberg press with metal type, but the
borders were carefully designed, painted and illuminated by the artists.
(iii) No two copies were the same. Every page of each copy was different.
(iv) Elites preferred the uniqueness of the book. What they possessed would not
be similar with others.
(v) Gutenberg printed the text in black leaving spaces where the colour could be
filled in later. Each owner could select their own colour and design for the holy
book.
(vi) The use of colour within the letters in various places of this book had two
functions
It added colour to the page.
It highlighted all the holy words to emphasise their significance.
CBSE 2022 – 23 BOARD EXAMINATION PORTIONS COMPLETED
