History

Q.15. ‘Print popularized the ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers.’ Explain.

Ans.Collectively, their writings provided a critical commentary on tradition, superstition and despotism. They argued for the rule of reason rather than custom, and demanded that everything be judged through the application of reason and rationality. They attacked the sacred authority of the church and the despotic power of the state, thus eroding the legitimacy of a social order based on tradition. The writings of Voltaire and Rousseau were read widely; and those who read these books saw the world through new eyes, eyes that were questioning critical and rational

Q.16. Who was Johann Gutenberg? Explain his role in the history of printing?

Ans. Johann Gutenberg was a German goldsmith and inventor, credited with the inventing of the movable type of printing in Europe. Gutenberg was the son of a merchant, and his childhood was spent on a large agricultural estate. From his childhood, he had seen wine and olive presses. By and by, he learnt the art of polishing stones, became a master goldsmith, and also acquired the expertise to create lead moulds and used for making trinkets. Using this knowledge, Gutenberg adapted the existing technology to design his innovation. The olive press became the base model for the printing press and moulds were used for casting the metal types for the letters of the alphabet. By 1448, Gutenberg perfected the system. In 1455, he published his 42 lines Bible, commonly known as Gutenberg Bible. About 180 copies were printed most on paper and some on vellum (calfskin).

Q.17. What were the features of new books which were produced in Europe after the invention of Gutenberg’s Press?

Ans.

1. Printed books resembled greatly the written manuscripts in appearance and layout.
2. The metal letters imitated the ornamental handwritten styles.
3. Borders of the books were illuminated by hand, with foliage and other patterns.
4. Illustrations were painted.
5. The books printed for the elite had space for decoration.
6. A person could choose the design and decide on the painting school that would do the illustrations exclusively for him.

Q.18.How the women writers used the print to express their opinions regarding the status of women in India? Explain.

Ans.

1. From the 1860s, many Bengali women writers like Kailashbashini Debi wrote books highlighting the experiences of women-about how women were imprisoned at home, kept in ignorance, forced to do hard domestic labour and treated unjustly by the menfolk, they generally, served.
2. In the 1880s, in present day Maharashtra, Tarabai Shinde and Pandita Ramabai wrote with passionate anger about the miserable lives of the upper caste Hindu women, especially the widows. The poor statue of women was also expressed by the Tamil writers.
3. In the early 20th century, the journals written by women became very popular in which women’s education, widowhood, widow remarriage, etc. were discussed. Some of them offered fashion lessons for the women too.

Q.19.Why were manuscripts not used widely in everyday life?

Ans.Manuscripts are handwritten, original books of the authors. These can’t be used all the time life a printed book. These are delicate material-might get spoilt with regular handling. Manuscripts could not be copied as copying was an expensive laborious and time consuming business. Nor could manuscripts be carried around. The circulation of these books therefore remained limited.