Question

The inaugural issue of Bombay Darpan, A Marathi weekly. Was published on November 12, 1832 started by a publisher reformer named _____.
A) Jagannath Shankar
B) Vishnu Shastri
C) Balshastri
D) Krishna Shastri

Answer 1

Hint:
He was also known as the Father of Marathi journalism. He published this newspaper at the age of 20 years on 6 January 1832. He was born in Devgad taluka in the Konkan region of Maharashtra state and lived for a very short period.

Complete solution:
The inaugural issue of Bombay Darpan was started by a publisher reformer named Balshastri. His full name was Balshastri Jambhekar (6 January 1812 – 18 May 1846). He was also known as the Father of Marathi journalism. In the early days of British Rule in India, his constant effort for starting journalism in the Marathi language led him to publish the first newspaper in the Marathi language named 'Darpan' only at the age of 20 years. The newspaper was published on 6 January 1832, priced at 1 rupee. It was printed both in English and Marathi languages in two separate columns for both the general public and British rulers.

He was born in Devgad taluka in the Konkan region of Maharashtra state. He believed that to overthrow British rule and to attain freedom, it was essential to awaken the masses through the newspaper. So, he gave the most importance to the print media, as it was the most useful tool to that end. Bombay Darpan was all about social awareness and patriotism. He himself was the editor of this newspaper during the reign of British rule in India. People like Govind Kunte and Bhau Mahajan (social leader and reformer) also were with him in this movement. He lived for a very short period. But his exceptional work left a permanent mark in the history of India.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Note:
In this newspaper, most of the content was about widow remarriage. He tried to develop a scientific mindset in the masses and also tried to educate the uneducated. He believed that for the progress of the country, it is essential to have scientific knowledge and a rational outlook towards social problems. So, as a social activist, he made a continuous effort to generate useful and healthy consciousness amongst the common masses.