The beginning of word To Goa belongs the honour of being the home of India’s first printing press and it happened by a quirk of fate. In 1556, at an express request by the Emperor of Abyssinia (Ethiopia), King Jao of Portugal donated a printing press, which found its way to Goa.
Jesuit missionaries who were entrusted with the task of delivering the press apparently encountered a storm en route to Ethiopia. The entourage took refuge in Goa and somehow, the press, the very first in all of Asia took root in the native soil. It is also believed that St. Francis Xavier was responsible for setting up this press.
First printing press At College of St. Paul, Goa
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Best of Goa
First printed book in India ‘Compendio Spiritual Da Vide Chrlstaa’ by Gaspar De Leo, printed in Goa, 1561
A Goan printer, who was trained in Portugal and was part of the mission to Ethiopia, started operating the press. Printing began within a month and several more presses were opened in the next three years. Perhaps the early proliferation of printing presses created the strong reading habit amongst locals.
Popular newspapers in Goa English: Navhind Times, Herald, Times of India, Gomantak Times Konkani: Sunaparant
Marathi: Gomantak, Tarun Bharat, Navprabha, Pudhari, Goa Times, Sanatan Prabhat, Govadoot
Photo: Jude D’Silva