Rise and decline of Urdu journalism

I grew up in a household where the Urdu daily Hind Samachar, published by Lala Jagat Narain from Jalandhar, was the only newspaper we subscribed to. My father, proficient in Urdu, relied on it for both information and work. The newspaper was passed around among neighbours, collected piece by piece by evening — a testament to its widespread readership. However, my generation, attending school in the 1960s, did not inherit this linguistic tradition, as Urdu had ceased to be a medium of instruction. This trend mirrored the broader decline of Urdu literacy and publications in the region.

Despite this decline, Urdu remains an integral part of Indian culture, with its vocabulary embedded in daily speech. Recognised as one of the 22 official languages of India, Urdu has a deep-rooted history, particularly in journalism. In 2022, the nation marked 200 years since the launch of Jam-e-Jahan Numa, the first Urdu newspaper, first published on March 27, 1822, in Calcutta by Bengali Brahmin Hari Hardat, with Punjabi editor Lala Sadasukh Lal and British printer William Hopkins. This diverse trio reflects Urdu journalism’s unique and inclusive origins.

Urdu journalism evolved from the Mughal era’s bureaucratic reporting system, where Hindu scribes wrote Persian newsletters (akhbars) for the emperor and his ministers. These reports were the precursors to modern newspapers. However, the public dissemination of news became possible only with the advent of the printing press. Although Christian missionaries introduced printing in India as early as 1575, it took nearly 300 years for it to become a tool for mass communication.

Jam-e-Jahan Numa was a professionally produced newspaper, often critical of British rule. Alarmed by its influence, the colonial administration enacted India’s first Press Ordinance in 1823. Raja Ram Mohan Roy protested by shutting down his Persian newspaper Miraet-ul-Akhbar, marking the first press freedom struggle in India. The 1857 Rebellion further disrupted Urdu journalism, reducing the number of publications from 35 to 12 in just five years. Yet, post-1857, Urdu journalism regained strength, evolving into a mass medium by adopting a more accessible style. Previously, its literary prose imitated the ornate Persian style, alienating common readers. Publishers gradually simplified the language, making it a tool for public discourse.

Role in freedom struggle

The Punjab region emerged as a major Urdu journalism hub. Kohinoor, launched by Munshi Harsukh Rai in Lahore in 1850, was a pioneering weekly. India’s first Urdu daily, Urdu Guide, was published from Calcutta in 1858, followed by Oudh Akhbar from Lucknow. Other notable publications included Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq (Aligarh), Oudh Punch (Lucknow), Punjab Akhbar (Lahore), Shamsul Akhbar (Madras), Kashful Akhbar (Bombay), and Qasim-ul-Akhbar (Bangalore).

Urdu journalism played a key role in India’s freedom movement. Paisa Akhbar, Zamindar, Hindustan, Al Hilal, Hamdard, Deepak and Desh actively engaged in nationalist discourse. Lahore became a nerve centre, with Paisa Akhbar and Zamindar advocating agrarian and political causes. Zamindar, founded by Maulvi Zafar Ali in 1903, had a circulation of 30,000 and significantly influenced the Pagri Sambhal Jatta movement. The revolutionary Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar’s Watan and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s Al Hilal were nationalist powerhouses. Munshi Mahbub Alam’s Paisa Akhbar, launched in 1888, made journalism a viable profession.

During the early 20th century, Urdu newspapers became instrumental in mobilising public opinion against British rule. They played a crucial role in spreading awareness about the oppressive policies of colonial rule and encouraging civil disobedience movements. Prominent freedom fighters frequently used Urdu newspapers as a medium to express their resistance. Mahatma Gandhi himself recognised the significance of Urdu in uniting Hindus and Muslims against the British, and several of his speeches were published in Urdu newspapers to reach a wider audience.

The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) saw an unprecedented rise in Urdu journalism’s role in mobilising the Indian Muslim community against British policies. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s Al Hilal and Al Balagh became symbols of defiance, urging people to stand up against colonial rule. These newspapers were frequently banned by the British authorities, forcing their editors to publish under different names or clandestinely distribute pamphlets.

By the early 20th century, Urdu journalism had matured. The 1919 launch of Pratap by Mahashay Krishan and Milap in 1922 by Mahashay Khushal Chand strengthened its nationalist voice. Lala Lajpat Rai’s Bande Mataram, Swami Shradhanand’s Tej, and Bhagat Singh’s associates’ Mehnatkash and Kirti continued this trend. Despite British suppression, Urdu journalists persevered, often facing imprisonment and newspaper confiscation.

Turning Point

Partition in 1947 devastated Urdu journalism. Major newspapers such as Milap and Pratap had to relocate from Lahore to India. The Hind Samachar Group, which had started in 1948, provided some continuity, but the language faced growing marginalisation. In post-Independence India, Urdu lost its prominence, particularly in Punjab, where language politics restricted its growth. The younger generations, schooled in Punjabi, Hindi and English, gradually lost touch with Urdu.

In Pakistan, Urdu journalism became the dominant medium of mass communication, evolving in a different direction from its Indian counterpart. While Pakistani Urdu newspapers enjoyed state patronage, Indian Urdu publications struggled due to decreasing readership and lack of institutional support. The marginalisation of Urdu in education further contributed to its decline.

Moreover, in Independent India, Urdu journalism faced economic hardships. Advertising revenue primarily flowed to English and Hindi newspapers. The lack of financial backing and high production costs meant that many smaller Urdu newspapers and periodicals could not compete in the evolving media landscape.

Urdu journalism has always been secular, with universal parentage and readership. However, post-Partition, it has been pushed into a cultural silos, limiting its once-diverse appeal. This linguistic decline is a significant loss to India’s pluralistic heritage. The lack of Urdu-medium schools, decreasing literacy in the script, and the dominance of English and Hindi have exacerbated the crisis.

The limited circulation of Urdu newspapers today stands in stark contrast to their past influence.

Additionally, the advent of digital media has posed new challenges. While online platforms offer opportunities for Urdu journalism’s revival, there is a lack of investment in Urdu-language digital news portals. The survival of Urdu journalism now depends on innovative strategies to attract younger audiences, including bilingual publications and integration with social media. The use of artificial intelligence for automated translations could also make Urdu content more accessible to a wider audience.

Path to revival

To revive Urdu journalism, it must break free from political and religious pigeonholing and reclaim its historical role as a medium of broad and inclusive discourse. There is an urgent need for government policies supporting Urdu-language education and media. Encouraging Urdu’s presence in mainstream academia, literature and journalism can help bridge the generational divide.

Moreover, collaborations between Urdu and other language media can foster greater readership. The incorporation of Urdu-language sections in leading Hindi and English newspapers could ensure its continued relevance. Community-driven initiatives, digital archives and cultural festivals celebrating Urdu’s literary and journalistic legacy can aid in its resurgence.

Educational institutions should promote Urdu studies and provide scholarships for students interested in Urdu journalism. Media houses must also innovate by launching Urdu-language digital platforms, podcasts, and video content to engage tech-savvy audiences. Harnessing artificial intelligence for translation and content creation could make Urdu journalism more accessible to non-native speakers.

Urdu journalism is not just about preserving a language; it is about safeguarding a critical chapter of India’s intellectual and cultural history. If nurtured properly, it can once again become a vibrant force in Indian media, reflecting the country’s rich and diverse heritage.

— The writer is an author & publisher