The poor people benefitted from the spread of print culture because of the availability of books at a low price. The readership among them increased due to the publication of low priced books. Public libraries were also set up from the early 19th century, expanding the access to the books where all people could gain knowledge. Encouraged and inspired by the social reformers, the people like factory workers too set up their libraries and some even wrote books. Kashibaba, a Kanpur mill worker wrote and published ‘Chote aur Bade Ka Sawal’.

Indian reforms of 19th century utilized print culture as the most potent means of spreading their reformist ideas and highlight the unethical issues. They began publishing various vernacular and English and Hindi newspapers and books through which they could spread their opinions against widow immolation, child marriage, monotheism, Brahmanical priesthood and idolatry to the common people of the country. In this way the spread of print culture in the 19th century provided them a space for attacking religious orthodoxy and to spread modern social and political ideas to the people of different languages across the country.

Many people in the 18th century Europe thought that the print culture has the power in it to bring enlightenment and end despotism. This would help in spreading of literacy and knowledge among all class of people. Social reformers like Louise, Sebastian Mercier, and Martin Luther felt that the print culture is the most powerful engine of progress and public opinion and hence, it would definitely bring enlightenment and an end to despotism.

Some people especially from upper class and powerful class feared the effect of easily available printed books. Their cause of fear was that due to the spread of literacy among the common people they may loose their position or authorities. Some people feared that this may lead to the spread of rebellions and irreligious thoughts. For example -
→ In Europe, the Roman Catholic Church tried to curb the printed books through the Index of Prohibited Books.
→ In India, the Vernacular Press Act imposed restrictions on Indian press and various local newspapers. Also, some religious leaders and some people from upper castes expressed their fear. 

The effects of the spread of print culture for poor people in nineteenth century India were:
→ The poor people benefited from the spread of print culture in India on account of the availability of low-price books and public libraries.
→ Enlightening essays were written against caste discrimination and its inherent injustices. These were read by people across the country.
→  On the encouragement and support of social reformers, over-worked factory workers set up libraries for self-education, and some of them even published their own works, for example, Kashibaba and his "Chhote Aur Bade Ka Sawal".

The print culture immensely helped the growth in the growth of nationalism in India in the following ways -
→ Through vernacular press, oppressive methods of colonial rule were reported.
→ The misrule of government and its initiative on curbing the freedom of press spread the nationalist ideas that demanded freedom of press.
→ Nationalist feelings and revolutionary ideas were secretly spread by the dailies like - The Amrit Bazar Patrika, The Indian Mirror, Kesri, The Hindu, Bombay Samachar etc. Through these newspapers national leaders always tried to mobilize public opinion of Indian masses and unite them for the cause of nationalism. 
→ The print culture helped in educating the people who then started to be gradually influenced by the reformist and nationalist ideas of the various Indian leaders like Raja Ram Mohun Roy, Tilak, Subhas Bose and Gandhiji etc. 

Q.1: - What is calligraphy?
 (a) Poetry (b) Textbooks
 (c) Flowers arrangement (d) Stylized
Q.2.: - What was Gutenberg’s first printed book?
 (a) Ballads (b) Dictionary
 (c) Bible (d) None of these
Q.3: -What were ‘Penny Chapbooks’?
 (a) Pocket – sized books (b) Journals
 (c) Ritual Calendars (d) Newspaper
Q.4: - Who introduced the printing press in India-
 (a) French (b) Italian
(c) Portuguese (d) None of these
Q.5: - Who wrote ‘My childhood My university’.
 (a) Thomas wood (b) Maxim Gorky
 (c) George Eliot (d) Jane Austen
Q.6: - When was the Vernacular press act passed?
 (a) 1878 (b) 1887 (c) 1867 (d) 1898
Q.7: - Who said, “Printing is the ultimate gift of god and the greatest one.”
 (a) Charles Dickens (b) J. V. Schley
 (c) Mahatma Gandhi (d) Martin Luther
Q.8: - Which is the oldest printed book of Japan
 (a) Bible (b) Diamond Sutra
 (c) Mahabharta (d) Ukiyo
Q.9: - Who wrote 95 theses?
 (a) Martin Luther (b) Johann Gutenberg
 (c) J. V. Schley (d) Charles Dickens
Q.10:- Who authored ‘Gitagovinda’?
 (a) Jayadeva (b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
 (c) J. A. Hickey (d) Chandu Menon 
 
Answer Key of Multiple Choice Questions
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (c) 5. (b) 6. (a) 7. (d) 8. (b) 9.(a) 10.(a)  

 1. They were copied on palm leaves or on handmade papers.
 2. Pages were beautifully illustrated.
 3. They were pressed between wooden covers or sewn together to ensure preservation.
 4. Manuscripts were available in vernacular languages.
 5. Highly expensive & fragile.
 6. They could not be read easily as script was written in different styles.
 7. They were not widely used in everyday life.