Question

Digdarshan, the first monthly magazine in Marathi was started by __________?
A.Jyotirao Phule
B.Bhau Mahajan
C.Balshastri Jambhekar
D.None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The first journalist and editor in Marathi language was Balshastri Jambhekar, known as the father of Marathi journalism who started a weekly Darpan in 1832 and Digdarshan in 1840. He had written many books in history and math for children.

Complete answer:
In the latter half of the 19th century, the Marathi press played a very important role in the development of Indian journalism. Shri Balshahtri Jambhekar realized the importance of print media in the coming times. He was the first who published ‘Darpan’, a Marathi –English Magazine in Marathi. He was of the opinion that if the British were to be expelled and freedom to be obtained, then it is very important to awaken and aware the society through the media. Darpan played a very significant role in the social reform movement.The first monthly magazine in Marathi, Digdarshan was also published by him, and he did editing of it for five years. Articles on geography, physics, chemistry, environment and nature were written in this magazine. He was an expert in many languages like Sanskrit, Marathi, English and Hindi. Also, he had held on Latin, Gujarati, French and Bengali. He was active during the years 1830-1846 and worked for the improvement of Maharashtra and India. The society was ignorant and illiterate in those days, people were blind folded with black beliefs and superstitions, hence his contribution to the society in his short span of 34 years proves admirable.In 1840, Digdarshan, the first monthly magazine in Marathi was started by Balshastri Jambhekar.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Balshatri Jambhekar was the well-known professor of hindi in the Elphinston College of erstwhile Bombay. He also printed Dnyaneshwari in 1845 for the first time. His birthday is celebrated as the “ Marathi Patrakar Din” in Maharashtra in his fond memory on 6th January.