100 Years of Hindustan Times

Centenary of The Hindustan Times – A Legacy in Print

For a hundred years, The Hindustan Times has stood as one of the most influential forces in Indian journalism and public life. From its beginnings in the crucible of India’s freedom struggle to its present stature as a leading national daily, the newspaper has chronicled history, given voice to public opinion, and shaped conversations that defined the nation. Its journey reflects not only the evolution of Indian journalism but also the resilience and vision that have guided it through a century of challenges and triumphs.

Origins in the Freedom Struggle

The roots of The Hindustan Times trace back to India’s anti-colonial movements of the early 20th century. In 1924, the Gurudwara Reform Movement sought to free Sikh shrines from corrupt priests allied with the colonial government. Peaceful protests led by the Akalis were often met with brutal suppression. To ensure that the voices of the people were not silenced, leaders such as Sunder Singh Lyallpuri, Tej Singh Samundri, and Sardar Mangal Singh envisioned a newspaper that would amplify their message of justice.

On September 15, 1924, Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated The Hindustan Times. He appointed K.M. Panikkar as its first editor and emphasized honesty and transparency as guiding principles. These ideals became the very foundation of the newspaper’s editorial ethos. Yet, the early years were not easy—the paper struggled financially. It was Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya who came to its aid, securing a loan of Rs. 40,000 from Punjab National Bank, then chaired by Lala Lajpat Rai, to help the fledgling institution survive. By 1927, The Hindustan Times had been restructured into a limited liability company, with Malaviya on the board and Ghanshyam Das Birla, a trusted associate of Gandhi, as a major shareholder.

Growth and Nationalist Voice

By 1930, The Hindustan Times had a circulation of nearly 30,000, reaching readers in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Despite harsh colonial press restrictions, the paper remained committed to its mission. In August 1942, during the Quit India Movement, it voluntarily suspended publication for four months in protest against censorship, standing firmly with the nationalist cause.

In 1936, it expanded its reach by launching its Hindi sister publication, Hindustan, further deepening its impact. The newspaper became a platform for prominent voices, including Motilal Nehru, Maulana Mohammed Ali, and Jawaharlal Nehru, whose writings appeared in its very first issue. Over the years, it published landmark works, such as Gandhi’s My Experiments with Truth, and contributions from international figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Hindustan Times also nurtured a generation of distinguished journalists and thinkers. Cartoonist K. Shankar Pillai, reporter Durga Das, and editor Pothan Joseph enriched its pages, while Devdas Gandhi, the Mahatma’s third son, served as managing editor from 1937 to 1957, playing a vital role in shaping its editorial direction.

Nation-Building after Independence

After 1947, the newspaper entered a new era, covering the challenges of Partition, the assassination of Gandhi, and the trials of a young Republic. It played an active role in nation-building—reporting on social issues, raising funds for soldiers, and pioneering photojournalism that brought Indian life vividly into print. Its fearless editorials reflected the concerns of citizens in a rapidly changing nation.

Under the Birla family’s stewardship, The Hindustan Times continued to grow. Krishna Kumar Birla, who succeeded his father G.D. Birla in 1957, expanded its portfolio with new ventures, including the tabloid Morning Echo, the children’s magazine Nandan, and the Hindi literary magazine Kadambini. Yet, its central commitment to nationalism and public service remained unwavering.

A Modern Voice

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Shobhana Bhartia, Krishna Kumar Birla’s daughter, led The Hindustan Times into the digital age. Under her leadership, the paper launched new city editions, strengthened its online presence, and introduced lifestyle supplements such as HT City and HT Brunch. In 2003, it inaugurated the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS), a prestigious annual forum bringing together global leaders and thinkers to engage in dialogue on pressing issues.

A Stamp of Recognition

As The Hindustan Times marks its centenary in 2024, the Department of Posts proudly issues a commemorative postage stamp to celebrate this remarkable milestone. The stamp honors the newspaper’s enduring role in India’s democratic journey—its voice of conscience during colonial rule, its resilience through independence, and its leadership in shaping contemporary media.

For a hundred years, The Hindustan Times has reflected the aspirations of the people of India, staying true to the principles of integrity and public service set forth at its founding. This commemorative stamp is not only a tribute to a great institution but also a reminder of the power of the press in shaping the destiny of a nation.