The correct answer is (a), (c), (d) only Explanation & Key Takeaways: Newspaper 'Darpan' • With the aim of enlightening society, Balshastri Jambhekar on 6th January 1832, started the first Marathi newspaper called Darpan. • To commemorate that day, January 6 is celebrated in Maharashtra as "Marathi Journalist Day". • The study of foreign languages, the prosperity of the nation, and the welfare of people are the main objectives of Darpan. • This newspaper gives momentum to the social and economic growth of society. • The newspaper focuses on widow remarriage and the importance of professional education. • The newspaper Darpan has published in both Marathi and English both languages. Hence statement (d) is incorrect. Yugantar Newspaper • It was a Bengali weekly newspaper started by Sri Aurobindo that preached open revolt and absolute denial of British Rule. • Yugantar, which was to preach open revolt and the absolute denial of the British rule and include such items as a series of articles containing instructions for guerrilla warfare. • It wrote out its message in words of fire and spread it to the four corners of the land. • It openly aimed at the destruction of British rule in India. Sandhya • Brahmabandhab Upadhyay served as the editor of Sandhya during his last days. • Following the partition of Bengal in 1905, nationalist beliefs grew in popularity, and various newspapers, notably Sandhya, were active in spreading them. Kal • Kal newspaper was founded by Shivram Mahajape Paranjape in 1898. • It was a Marathi weekly. Related Concepts: • Press Act of 1908, was introduced by the British colonial government to curb the growing influence of nationalist newspapers in India. • It imposed stringent restrictions on the freedom of the press, particularly targeting publications that were critical of British rule. • Key Provisions of the Act: • Prevention of "objectionable" publications: The act gave the government the power to declare any newspaper as seditious and "objectionable" if it was deemed to incite violence, rebellion, or hatred against the government. • Bond for security deposits: Newspaper publishers could be forced to submit a security deposit that would be forfeited if the publication was found to violate the law. This was meant to financially pressure and control the press. • Confiscation of printing equipment: If a newspaper violated the provisions of the act, the government could confiscate its printing press and other equipment, effectively shutting down the publication. • Impact: • The act resulted in the closure of several nationalist newspapers that were critical of British policies, especially those advocating for India's independence. Some of the well-known newspapers that ceased publication due to the Act's provisions include: • Kesari, founded by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, faced censorship under this act, though Tilak continued to fight for freedom of speech through various legal battles. • Bande Mataram, edited by Aurobindo Ghosh, was one of the most prominent nationalist newspapers that was targeted and forced to shut down under the act. • This act is regarded as a key step in the British government's efforts to suppress the freedom of the press in India, particularly in light of the growing nationalist movements in the early 20th century.