LE PRESS, LUCKNOW: A LIVING TRIBUTE TO INDIA’S FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE

Nestled in the heart of Lucknow, Le Press is known today for its vibrant cafés and boutiques. But over 160 years ago, this very place was home to the Newal Kishore Press, one of Asia’s largest and most influential printing houses. Founded in 1858 by Munshi Newal Kishore, the press played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence, printing books, newspapers, and pamphlets that spread ideas of freedom, reform, and resistance against British colonial rule.

From Press to Progress

The Newal Kishore Press was more than just a printing business; it worked as a tool for transformation. In colonial India, the printed word had immense power. The British could censor public meetings, but they couldn’t easily suppress every pamphlet, book, or newspaper. The Newal Kishore Press used this advantage to the fullest. It printed Mahatma Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj – a radical call for self-rule. It gave space to the voices of reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who campaigned against social evils such as Sati. It carried writings by Subhas Chandra Bose, urging Indians to break free from British dominance.

The press also played a significant role in the Swadeshi movement, promoting the boycott of British goods and the revival of Indian industries. Pamphlets and articles printed at Newal Kishore Press called upon people to support indigenous products, fostering a sense of pride and economic independence that was central to the freedom struggle.

Beyond its political impact, the press was also remarkable for its linguistic range. It published in Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Persian, and English, breaking language barriers and making knowledge accessible to a diverse audience. It also became a crucial platform for Hindi literature, helping the language gain stature and readership across the country. Religious texts, historical chronicles, educational material – all flowed from this press, reaching not only India but readers abroad.

A Living Legacy

Today, Le Press stands as a bridge between past and present, honouring the legacy of a press that helped shape India’s identity and independence. It reminds us how powerful ideas, shared through words and print, can ignite change and inspire generations. More than just a physical space, Le Press stands as a tribute to the courage and vision of those who saw freedom not only as a political goal but as a cultural and intellectual awakening.

So, the next time you visit Le Press, you’re not just enjoying a day out – you’re connecting with a story still unfolding, in a space where heritage isn’t just remembered but truly lived.

Location: 29 Newal Kishore Road, Hazratganj, Lucknow
Timing: 10 am to 11 pm
Contact: 98101 24469