Balshastri Jambhekar Biography 
Balshastri Jambhekar is also known as Father of Marathi journalism. He started the first Marathi newspaper in the language named 'Darpan' during British rule in India. The first issue of Darpan was published on 6 January 1832. It was published in 2 separate columns – Marathi and English. It was published for eight and half years. The last issue was published in July 1840. Newspaper was a new idea in India at that time and it was priced 1 rupee that time. Through the newspaper he also put forward suggestions such as widow remarriage and the need of education as he firmly believed that country could only progress with the use of scientific knowledge and a rational outlook towards social problem.
He was born on January 6, 1812 in Pombhurle of Rajapur, Maharashtra. He identified the real power of media among the masses during the time of British rule in India. He believed that it’s the best method to keep awareness among people so that British can be thrown out. He chose printed media as the powerful tool for this task. Patriotism and social awareness – its product was Marathi’s first newspaper, Darpan. He was the founder and remained its editor as well. He was only 20 then. Govind Kunte and Bhau Mahajan were present as his associates.
The first issue of Darpan was published on 6 January 1832 with two separate columns for English and Marathi. Newspaper was a new idea in India then and slowly it gained readers. It was published for eight and half years and was closed in July 1840. He believed that education can bring great reforms in the country and the awareness created through education can prepare Indians against British. His other contributions include - ‘The Bombay Native General Library’, and ‘Native Improvement Society’. He was the first Indian to have published research papers in the quarterly journal of the Asiatic Society. He was the first person to print Dnyaneshwari in 1845. He was also known as the first professor of Hindi in the Elphinston College, Mumbai. He died in 1846.
Published: N/A
Updated: December 28, 2013
