Question

Who published the Malayalam newspapers 'Rajyasamacharam' and 'Paschimodayam'?
A. Benjamin Bailey
B. Herman Gundert
C. Dr. Burnadeen Bachinelli
D. Rev. Habeeque

Answer 1

Hint: Rajyasamacharam is considered to be the first Malayalam newspaper and Pashimodayam; the second Malayalam newspaper. The newspapers were started by a famous scholar and missionary from illikunnu in Thalassery. Apart from these two Malayalam newspapers, he is famously known for other Malayalam works and his great contributions to Malayalam journalism and language.

Complete answer: Rajyasamacharam and Pashimodayam were started by Herman Gundert under the Christian missionary is in 1847 of basil mission from illikunnu in Thalassery. Herman Gundert was born in Germany and became a missionary, linguist and scholar. His name is written in the history of Malayalam journalism for his great contributions and for starting the first Malayalam newspaper. Rajyasamacharam was the first to be started by him and gradually he launched another newspaper Pashimodayam which became an easy way to spread the gospel and for other missionary works. Frederick Muller, who was his helper, edited the newspapers.
Now we will discuss the other three and it in what fields they have contributed:
-Benjamin Bailey was born in England and became a British Church mission society missionary in Kerala. He is famously known for establishing the Malayalam printing press in 1849 he published his first Malayalam English dictionary.
-Bernadine Baccinelli came to Kerala from Rome and dedicated his life to the Malabar mission. He strived his life to transform and sanctify the lives of the people of Kerala.
-Rev. Habeeque along with the other three missionaries started the education programs in Kerala. Catholic priests and nuns contributed their lives on providing education to all the sections of the society and particularly strengthening women irrespective of any kind of discrimination.
Therefore, option B is correct.

Note: Apart from starting newspapers he compiled a Malayalam grammar book and contributed to the translations of the Bible into Malayalam. He has also contributed to the fields of astronomy, history and geography. He published around 13 books in the Malayalam language including old testament and new testament from Hebrew and Greek and the translation of the Bible.