#printing #typeface #publishing #matallurgy #métallurgie #Bengal #India

The first use of Bengali type face in a published book printed in India was a milestone in the history of technology.

Charles Wilkins (1749 - 1836), was an English typographer. -- see Wikipedia "Charles Wilkins" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Wilkins; and see "Typography" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typography

Wilkins was one of the creators of the first Bengali typeface; and he published the first typeset book in Bengali. -- see British Library, "Two Bengali grammars – a typographic perspective" (Fiona Ross). https://www.bl.uk/early-indian-printed-books/articles/two-bengali-grammars-a-typographic-perspective#

All previous types of Bangla printing were made on copper plates. -- see Banglapedia, "Printing" http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Printing

The first printing press in Bengal was opened in 1778. The press was in Hoogly (Chinsura) on the Hoogly River 40 miles north of Kolkota.

Hoogly is where the first Bengali grammar book using the movable Bengali type font was printed. -- see M. Siddiq Khan. “The Early History of Bengali Printing.” The Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy, vol. 32, no. 1, 1962, p. 54. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/4305188; see below, title page of first book printed using Begali typeface made of metal; and see below, Wilkins drawing of one Bengali character to be made into type; see also below, Wilkins Bengali matrices