Newspapers | Kerala PSC Notes
Early Malayalam Press
Q. Which was the first printed magazine in the Malayalam language?
A. Jnananikshepam
Q. In which year was Jnananikshepam, the first printed Malayalam magazine, published?
A. 1821
Q. From which place was Jnananikshepam printed in 1821?
A. C.M.S. Press, Kottayam
Q. Who were the two persons behind the publication of Jnananikshepam?
A. Arch Deacon Koshy and Rev. George Mathen
Q. What were the main purposes of Jnananikshepam?
A. Propagation of religion and dissemination of knowledge
Q. According to the PDF, which was the first newspaper in Malayalam?
A. Rajyasamaharam
Q. In which year was the Malayalam newspaper Rajyasamaharam first published?
A. 1847
Q. From which place was Rajyasamaharam published in 1847?
A. Tellicherry (Thalassery)
Q. Which missionary-scholar was associated with the publication of Rajyasamaharam?
A. Dr. Herman Gundert
Q. Which missionary organisation published Rajyasamaharam under Dr. Herman Gundert?
A. Basel Mission
Q. What was the main emphasis of Rajyasamaharam?
A. Religion
Q. Which publication was started by Herman Gundert in October 1847?
A. Paschimodayam
Q. In which year and month was Paschimodayam started by Herman Gundert?
A. October 1847
Q. Who was the formal editor of Paschimodayam?
A. Rev. Fr. Muller
Q. Which subjects were covered by Paschimodayam?
A. Geography, history, natural science and astrology
Q. Which two publications were started by Herman Gundert in 1847?
A. Rajyasamaharam and Paschimodayam
Beginning of Newspapers
Q. Which was the first newspaper to be published from Kerala according to the PDF?
A. Western Star
Q. In which language was Western Star, the first newspaper published from Kerala, issued?
A. English
Q. What was the Malayalam edition of the English newspaper Western Star called?
A. Paschimataraka
Q. In which year did the Malayalam edition of Western Star, Paschimataraka, begin publication?
A. 1864
Q. From which place did Paschimataraka begin publication in 1864?
A. Cochin
Q. Which two newspapers were started from Kottayam in 1867?
A. Santishtavadi and Travancore Herald
Q. Which Malayalam newspaper started from Kottayam in 1867?
A. Santishtavadi
Q. Which English newspaper started from Kottayam in 1867?
A. Travancore Herald
Q. Which newspaper was ordered to close because it opposed the Travancore Government?
A. Santishtavadi
Q. Which newspaper became the first “martyr to the cause of freedom of the press” in Malayalam journalism?
A. Santishtavadi
Q. Which newspaper made its appearance from Cochin in 1870?
A. Keralapataka
Q. In which year did Keralapataka make its appearance from Cochin?
A. 1870
Keralamitram
Q. Which publication is described in the PDF as the first “newspaper” in the Malayalam language?
A. Keralamitram
Q. Who was the first editor of Keralamitram?
A. Kandathil Varghese Mappilai
Q. Which entrepreneur was associated with Keralamitram along with Kandathil Varghese Mappilai?
A. Devji Bhimji
Q. Which famous Malayalam newspaper was later founded by Keralamitram's first editor, Kandathil Varghese Mappilai?
A. Malayala Manorama
Q. Which Marathi magazine was run from Cochin by Devji Bhimji?
A. Keralakokil
Growth of Press in Malabar
Q. Which English weekly started publication from Kozhikode in 1879?
A. West Coast Spectator
Q. In which year did West Coast Spectator begin publication from Kozhikode?
A. 1879
Q. Who printed the West Coast Spectator from Kozhikode?
A. Vakil Poovadan Raman
Q. From which press was the West Coast Spectator printed?
A. Spectator Press
Q. What was the West Coast Spectator later renamed?
A. Malabar Spectator
Q. Which Malayalam weekly was started from Kozhikode in 1884?
A. Keralapatrika
Q. Who conceived the idea of starting Keralapatrika in 1884?
A. Chengulathu Kunhirama Menon
Q. From which place was Keralapatrika published?
A. Kozhikode
Q. From which press was Keralapatrika printed?
A. Vidyavilasom Press
Q. Attendance at which 1884 conference possibly inspired Chengulathu Kunhirama Menon to conceive Keralapatrika?
A. Indian National Association conference at Calcutta
Q. Which newspaper did Chengulathu Kunhirama Menon claim was the first Malayalam “newspaper” in Malabar district?
A. Keralapatrika
Q. Which ruler subscribed to 200 copies of Keralapatrika for distribution among his officials?
A. Maharaja of Travancore
Q. Which Malayalam periodical was brought out by the Spectator Press of Kozhikode in 1886?
A. Kerala Sanchari
Q. Who edited Kerala Sanchari when it was published from Kozhikode?
A. Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar
Q. What was the pen name of Kerala Sanchari editor Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar?
A. Kesari
Q. Which Malayalam periodical became known for the sharp humour and witticism of Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar?
A. Kerala Sanchari
Q. Who was associated with Kerala Sanchari as its editor for some time in 1897?
A. Moorkoth Kumaran
Q. With which newspaper did Kerala Sanchari later merge?
A. Mitavadi
Q. From which place was Mitavadi, with which Kerala Sanchari later merged, published?
A. Thalassery
Travancore Press
Q. Which Malayalam publication was born in Thiruvananthapuram in 1886?
A. Malayali
Q. In which year did Malayali begin publication from Thiruvananthapuram?
A. 1886
Q. Who was the editor of the Malayali published from Thiruvananthapuram?
A. Pettayil Raman Pillai Asan
Q. In what form did Malayali restart publication after Independence?
A. As a daily from Thiruvananthapuram
Q. Which newspaper was launched from Kottayam in 1887 under the name Nasrani Deepika?
A. Deepika
Q. In which year was Nasrani Deepika launched from Kottayam?
A. 1887
Q. From which place was Nasrani Deepika launched in 1887?
A. Kottayam
Q. Which newspaper is described in the PDF as the second-oldest newspaper in Malayalam?
A. Deepika
Q. In which year did Deepika emerge as a full-fledged daily?
A. 1938
Q. What was the original name of Deepika?
A. Nasrani Deepika
Malayala Manorama
Q. In which year did Malayala Manorama start publication from Kottayam?
A. 1890
Q. From which place did Malayala Manorama start publication in 1890?
A. Kottayam
Q. What was the original periodicity of Malayala Manorama when it started in 1890?
A. Weekly
Q. Who was the first editor of Malayala Manorama?
A. Kandathil Varghese Mappilai
Q. With which Cochin newspaper had Malayala Manorama's first editor Kandathil Varghese Mappilai previously been associated?
A. Keralamitram
Q. What was the predominant character of Malayala Manorama in its early years?
A. Literary
Q. In which year was Malayala Manorama converted into a daily?
A. 1928
Q. Which Malayalam newspaper was confiscated by the Travancore Government in September 1938?
A. Malayala Manorama
Q. In which month and year did the Travancore Government confiscate Malayala Manorama?
A. September 1938
Literary Publications
Q. Which literary magazine started from Kollam in 1892?
A. Sujananandini
Q. In which year did Sujananandini start from Kollam?
A. 1892
Q. Which publication was launched in 1897 as the official organ of the Bhashaposhini Sabha?
A. Bhashaposhini
Q. Who joined others in launching Bhashaposhini in 1897?
A. Kandathil Varghese Mappilai
Q. Which publication started from Tellicherry in 1897 under the editorship of Moorkoth Kumaran?
A. Saraswathi
Q. Who was the editor of Saraswathi, which started from Tellicherry in 1897?
A. Moorkoth Kumaran
Mitavadi
Q. Which newspaper appeared from Tellicherry in 1907 as an important milestone in Kerala's press history?
A. Mitavadi
Q. In which year did Mitavadi appear from Tellicherry?
A. 1907
Q. Who was the editor of Mitavadi?
A. Moorkoth Kumaran
Q. In which newspaper was Kumaran Asan's famous poem Veena Poovu first published?
A. Mitavadi
Q. Which poet's Veena Poovu was first published in Mitavadi?
A. Mahakavi Kumaran Asan
Q. Which newspaper was at the forefront of social reform and the uplift of weaker sections under Moorkoth Kumaran?
A. Mitavadi
Swadeshabhimani
Q. Which journalist used his writing to expose palace politics, corruption and favouritism in Travancore?
A. Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai
Q. Which Dewan issued the royal proclamation deporting Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai?
A. P. Rajagopalachari
Q. On what date was Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai deported from Travancore?
A. 26 September 1910
Q. What happened to Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai's press when he was deported in 1910?
A. It was confiscated
Q. From which princely state was Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai deported in 1910?
A. Travancore
Q. Where did Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai die in exile?
A. Kannur
Q. In which year did Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai die in exile at Kannur?
A. 1928
Kerala Kaumudi & Desabhimani
Q. Who founded Kerala Kaumudi in 1911?
A. C.V. Kunhuraman
Q. In which year was Kerala Kaumudi founded by C.V. Kunhuraman?
A. 1911
Q. From which place did Kerala Kaumudi initially start publication?
A. Mayyanad
Q. Through which places did Kerala Kaumudi shift after starting from Mayyanad?
A. Mayyanad → Kollam → Thiruvananthapuram
Q. In which year did Kerala Kaumudi become a full-fledged daily?
A. 1940
Q. Who started publication of Desabhimani in 1915 according to the PDF?
A. T.K. Madhavan
Q. In which year did T.K. Madhavan start Desabhimani?
A. 1915
Q. T.K. Madhavan, who started Desabhimani, was General Secretary of which organisation?
A. S.N.D.P. Yogam
Q. Which newspaper did T.K. Madhavan use to fight injustice, inequality and untouchability?
A. Desabhimani
Q. Which newspaper started by T.K. Madhavan contributed considerably to the Temple Entry agitation and Non-Cooperation Movement?
A. Desabhimani
Sahodaran & Yuktivadi
Q. Who published Sahodaran from Cherayi in 1917?
A. K. Ayyappan
Q. In which year did K. Ayyappan start Sahodaran from Cherayi?
A. 1917
Q. From which place did K. Ayyappan publish Sahodaran?
A. Cherayi
Q. Which K. Ayyappan publication supported responsible government, Temple Entry and inter-caste marriage?
A. Sahodaran
Q. In which year did Sahodaran cease publication?
A. 1956
Q. Apart from Sahodaran, with which two publications was K. Ayyappan associated?
A. Yuktivadi and Stree
Q. For which two publications did K. Ayyappan write as a regular columnist?
A. Mitavadi and Kerala Kaumudi
Samadarshi → Prabhodakan → Kesari
Q. Who commenced publication of Samadarshi from Thiruvananthapuram in 1918?
A. Kunnath Janardhanamenon
Q. In which year did Samadarshi commence publication from Thiruvananthapuram?
A. 1918
Q. Who joined Samadarshi as editor in 1923?
A. A. Balakrishna Pillai
Q. In which year did A. Balakrishna Pillai become editor of Samadarshi?
A. 1923
Q. What did A. Balakrishna Pillai criticise while editing Samadarshi?
A. The corrupt and high-handed bureaucracy of Travancore
Q. In which year was A. Balakrishna Pillai forced to resign from Samadarshi?
A. 1926
Q. Which periodical did A. Balakrishna Pillai launch after his association with Samadarshi?
A. Prabhodakan
Q. What happened to A. Balakrishna Pillai's Prabhodakan within six months of its appearance?
A. It was banned by the Travancore Government
Q. Which periodical did A. Balakrishna Pillai start in 1926 after Prabhodakan was banned?
A. Kesari
Q. Who started Kesari in 1926?
A. A. Balakrishna Pillai
Q. According to A. Balakrishna Pillai, what purposes should the press serve besides presenting news?
A. Educating the public, disseminating knowledge, encouraging free thought and open discussion
Q. Which three publications form the important journalistic sequence associated with A. Balakrishna Pillai in the PDF?
A. Samadarshi → Prabhodakan → Kesari
Mathrubhumi
Q. In which year was Mathrubhumi started?
A. 1923
Q. Who was the editor of Mathrubhumi when it started in 1923?
A. K.P. Kesava Menon
Q. In which month and year did Mathrubhumi start issuing as a daily?
A. April 1930
Q. During which national movement did Mathrubhumi become a daily in April 1930?
A. Civil Disobedience Movement
Q. Whose article criticising the British Army led to government action against Mathrubhumi?
A. Sanjayan
Q. What did Sanjayan's article in Mathrubhumi criticise?
A. High-handedness of the British Army
Q. Which government banned Mathrubhumi following Sanjayan's article?
A. Madras Government
Q. What public reaction followed the Madras Government's ban on Mathrubhumi?
A. A state-wide agitation demanding withdrawal of the ban
Q. In which year does the PDF state that Mathrubhumi made a triumphant re-entry?
A. 1947
Al-Ameen & Prabhatham
Q. In which year did Al-Ameen start publication?
A. 1924
Q. Who started the newspaper Al-Ameen in 1924?
A. Mohammed Abdul Rahiman Sahib
Q. Mohammed Abdul Rahiman Sahib, founder of Al-Ameen, was a leader of which political organisation?
A. Congress
Q. In which year did Al-Ameen begin issuing as a daily?
A. 1930
Q. What political position of Al-Ameen led to repeated action by the authorities?
A. Its pro-nationalist stand
Q. Which newspaper started by Mohammed Abdul Rahiman Sahib was discontinued on more than one occasion due to action by the authorities?
A. Al-Ameen
Q. From which place did Prabhatham start publication?
A. Shoranur
Q. Who was the editor of Prabhatham published from Shoranur?
A. E.M.S. Namboodiripad
Q. Prabhatham served as the organ of which political party?
A. Congress Socialist Party
Q. Which newspaper had its licence suspended following the publication of a poem on Bhagat Singh's martyrdom?
A. Prabhatham
Q. Why was Prabhatham's licence suspended after it published a poem on Bhagat Singh's martyrdom?
A. It refused to furnish security to the government
Q. What eventually happened to Prabhatham's suspended licence?
A. It was restored.
1821 Jnananikshepam → 1847 Rajyasamaharam/Paschimodayam → 1864 Paschimataraka → 1867 Santishtavadi/Travancore Herald → 1870 Keralapataka → 1879 West Coast Spectator → 1884 Keralapatrika → 1886 Kerala Sanchari/Malayali → 1887 Deepika → 1890 Manorama → 1892 Sujananandini → 1897 Bhashaposhini/Saraswathi → 1907 Mitavadi → 1911 Kerala Kaumudi → 1915 Desabhimani → 1917 Sahodaran → 1918 Samadarshi → 1923 Mathrubhumi → 1924 Al-Ameen → 1926 Kesari.