British Online Archives

World News in Indian Newspapers brings together numerous editions of three Anglophone newspapers that were published in India during the period 1782–1908: The India Gazette (1782–1834); The Bengal Hurkaru and Chronicle (1822–1866); and The Bengal Times (1876–1908).

These newspapers appealed to colonial administrators, businessmen, and merchants, all of whom had a keen interest, naturally, in regional and international trade. Editors and reporters therefore sought to provide readers with an overview of notable political, military, economic, scientific, and social trends, as well as their potential impact upon commodities, stocks, and other investments.

Subjects covered range from the American Revolution and the Crimean War, to British parliamentary debates on the India Act of 1858. Much coverage was devoted to the industrial and pharmaceutical developments of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Suffice to say that Britain, France, India, Ireland, the United States, and China received the most editorial attention, although items regarding other nations also feature.

World News in Indian Newspapers provides scholars with an unparalleled and comprehensive insight into the nature of British colonial rule in India...

Benjamin Holt, University of Leeds

Insights

Due to Britain's tempestuous relationship with its colonial rival, articles on French current affairs featured frequently in these three newspapers.

The growth of the campaign for Indian independence led to a significant increase in the number of articles relating to Indian affairs. Indeed, from 1897 onwards The Bengal Times devoted less and less attention to foreign affairs.

Unsurprisingly, editors and reporters were interested in the scientific discoveries and rapid technological advancements characteristic of the industrial age. Developments such as the invention of the steam locomotive and the exploits of microbiologist Louis Pasteur were examined and commented upon in great detail. Indeed, throughout the late 1890s there is a notable increase in the volume of advertisements for medical treatments of (no-doubt) dubious value.

The earliest editions of The India Gazette contained numerous articles detailing books that had been recently published. Columns featuring poetry likewise became commonplace. During the 1890s the publication of poetry was superseded by advertising.

Highlights

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Lord Stormont's reply to Catherine The Great's offer to mediate between the UK and United States, August 1782

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Discussions regarding plans by the United States to annex Texas, January 1845

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An account of the Ludwig I's relationship with Lola Montez, April 1848

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A protest in Natal disrupts the Indian indentured labour trade, January 1897

Editorial Board

Benjamin Holt PhD candidate https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/history/pgr/1352/benjamin-holt Benjamin Holt is a PhD candidate at the University of Leeds. His thesis concerns the impact of small arms proliferation in the North East region of India during the 19th and 20th centuries.