21 January 2015

Munshi Newal Kishore

The later half of the 19th century will go down in Indian history as a period of renaissance in various fields of activities. One of them was Munshi Newal Kishore who has been aptly termed the Caxton of India. Munshi Newal Kishore took to publishing books. He brought out 4000 volume in those days when such a mammoth task can be styled as a great pioneering achievement. Many of his published works found their way to the markets of West Asia.

Mirza Ghalib was one of his greatest admirers. Munshi Newal Kishore was made a C.I.E. at a very young age and was also given the 'Kaiser-e-Hind' Medal in recognition of his public services and his services to the cause pf education. But, perhaps, the greatest tribute came to him from King Abdur Rahman of Afganistan who in the presence of the then Viceroy of India, Lord Dufferin and the Princes of India at the Ludhiana Darbar in 1885 told Munshiji, "I am thankful to the Lord that I have seen you. In India nothing has given me more pleasure than having seen you......"

The Posts and Telegraphs Department paying its tribute to the memory of this great pioneer and savant by bringing out a special commemorative stamp in his honour. The stamp depicts a potrait of Munshi Newal Kishore and a picture of printing press.

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