Editor Dr. Herman Gundert Final issue December 1850 Based in Illikkunnu | First issue June 1847 Country India | |
Company Basal Evangelical Mission society (BMS) | ||
Rajyasamacharam or Rajya Samacharam is the first Malayalam journal published in Kerala, started in June 1847. Herman Gundert was the editor of the journal and was a religious propagator from German Basal Evangelical Mission society(BMS). Rajyasamacharam started publishing from Illikkunnu, in Thalassery, in Kannur District of Kerala. It was published as eight cyclostyled sheets in demy octavo size produced from a litho press. The pages were without columns or cross heads and was in simple language. It was distributed free of cost.
It was a religious journal mainly meant for the propagation of Christian faith. It main features were the spreading of Christianity throughout the world, spiritual and material benefits to people who practice the Christian faith. It also criticized the Hindu and the Islam faith. It ceased publication in December 1850 and a total of 42 issues were published.
In October 1847, Gundart stated another publication called Paschimodayam. It was also cyclostyled. It carried articles on history, natural science, geography and astrology. The other works of Gundart were Malayalabhaasha Vyakaranam, a Malayalam grammar book, the first Malayalam English dictionary and he also translated the Bible into Malayalam.