World News in Indian Newspapers, 1782-1908
The India Gazette, The Bengal Hurkaru and Chronicle, and The Bengal Times
World News in Indian Newspapers provides scholars with an unparalleled and comprehensive insight into the nature of British colonial rule in India...University of Leeds
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Explore the interests and outlook of Britain's colonial classes in India
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.
Contents
World News in Indian Newspapers, 1782-1908...
The India Gazette, The Bengal Hurkaru and Chronicle, and The Bengal Times
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Highlights
Licensed to access Lord Stormont's reply to Catherine The Great's offer to mediate between the UK and United States, August 1782
This published letter suggests that Catherine the Great of Russia offered to act as an intermediary between the United Kingdom and America during the Revolutionary War of 1775–1783.
Licensed to access Discussions regarding plans by the United States to annex Texas, January 1845
In January of 1845, news of the imminent annexation of Texas by the USA reached colonial India. The Bengal Hurkaru and Chronicle detailed debate on the issue between America's two major political parties, the Democrats and Whigs.
Licensed to access An account of the Ludwig I's relationship with Lola Montez, April 1848
Ludwig I was a divisive Bavarian monarch who abdicated during the revolutions of 1848, partially due to a controversial relationship with the dancer Lola Montez. This highly favourable account of Ludwig’s reign and personal eccentricities was published less than a month after he ceded the throne to his son.
Licensed to access A protest in Natal disrupts the Indian indentured labour trade, January 1897
After the abolition of the British slave trade, many Indian workers still existed in a state of indentured servitude, often referred to as the “coolie trade”. They were treated poorly, leading to protests such as the one described in this article from The Bengal Times.
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.
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