First English Newspaper of India
The Irishman James Augustus Hicky’s Bengal Gazette was the first English newspaper of India on the subcontinent and started in 1780. It was a weekly English newspaper published in Calcutta, which inspired Indians to launch a newspaper of their own. James Augustus Hicky, who had spent some time in prison, strongly criticized the administration of Governor-General Warren Hastings. The Bengal Gazette was also known as ‘Calcutta General Advertiser’ as it was filled with lots of advertisements with this name.
Newspaper | Founder | First Issue Date | Location | Key Points |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hickey’s Bengal Gazette | James Augustus Hickey | January 29, 1780 | Calcutta | – Established by James Augustus Hickey, an Irishman living in British India during the late 18th century. |
Hicky was the sole editor, writer, and publisher of this newspaper. Initially, the journal had a neutral tone, but after being a constant target by the English official and being told to give a bribe, he went on to strongly criticize the corrupt English officials, including Warren Hastings’s wife. He accused them of several things, like inefficiency, corruption, and maladministration.
The Bengal Gazette had a sarcastic and provocative tone. Unlike many newspapers of its time, the newspaper discussed taboo topics and proto-class consciousness, arguing for the rights of the poor and the right to taxation with representation.
Due to this, he was imprisoned but continued writing his views and accused company officials of bribery and corruption from jail. His journal, the India Gazette, which was supported and funded by Warren Hastings, worked as a rival journal to the Bengal Gazette. Consequently, Hickey’s India Gazette was stopped and driven out of business.
The Bengal Gazette served as an inspiration for other Indian newspapers that were started by Indian reformers and journalists like the Bombay Herald, Bengal Journal, Indian Mirror, Sambad Kaumudi, Banga Duta, and Bombay Times, to name a few.
First English Newspaper of India: History, Facts
The first English newspaper in India was the “Hickey’s Bengal Gazette,” which was published by James Augustus Hickey. It was first issued on January 29, 1780, in Calcutta (now Kolkata). Hickey’s Bengal Gazette played a significant role in the history of Indian journalism, providing a platform for news and discussions during the colonial period.
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