Home / Arts and Entertainment / Munshi Naval Kishore: The Indian Caxton Who Democratized Knowledge
Munshi Naval Kishore: The Indian Caxton Who Democratized Knowledge
11 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Nawal Kishore Press, established in 1868, was once the world's second-largest printing press.
- The press made religious texts and literature accessible and affordable to the common man.
- A paper mill was established on the Gomti River to meet the press's paper demands.
The Metaphor Lucknow Litfest is being held at a location that pays homage to Munshi Naval Kishore, a trailblazing Indian publisher from the 19th century. His press, founded in 1868, was once the world's second-largest, surpassing many European counterparts in its scale of operations and reach.
Recognized as the 'William Caxton of India,' Munshi Naval Kishore revolutionized access to knowledge. He printed religious texts like the Quran and Ramcharitmanas, alongside ancient literature, making them affordable for the general public. This initiative played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating India's cultural and intellectual heritage.
The press's immense output necessitated establishing a paper mill on the Gomti River, equipped with German machinery. This endeavor underscores the press's hyper-commercial scale and its significant contribution to the printing industry, making knowledge widely accessible.
