Question:

Which one of the following areas in Calcutta was devoted to the printing of popular books in the 19th century?

Show Hint

Think of the crowded central quarter of Calcutta where cheap religious tracts and popular books were printed and then carried to homes by pedlars.
Updated On: Sep 15, 2026
  • Baranagar
  • Jadavpur
  • Alipore
  • Batala
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
  • By the end of the nineteenth century a large market had grown for cheap books meant for ordinary readers rather than for scholars.
  • One particular quarter of Calcutta became the centre of this trade and is named in the chapter on print culture.

Step 1: Recall the name of the printing quarter.
A large number of printing presses were set up in the Battala area, spelt Batala here, in central Calcutta.

Step 2: Recall what was printed there.
Cheap editions of religious tracts and scriptures were produced, along with literature that was popular with ordinary people. Many of these books were also illustrated with woodcuts and coloured lithographs.

Step 3: Recall who read them.
Pedlars took these Battala publications to homes, so that women could read them in their leisure hours. Cheap printing thus carried reading into the household.

Step 4: Test the other three options.
Baranagar, Jadavpur and Alipore are other localities of Calcutta, but none of them is linked in the chapter with the cheap popular printing trade.

Final Answer: (D) Batala
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top CBSE X Social Science Questions

View More Questions

Top CBSE X Questions

View More Questions