Important Newspapers and Journals of the Indian Freedom Movement: Founders, Editors, GK Facts & MCQs
Last Updated and Fact-Checked: 29 July 2026
Newspapers and journals played a decisive role in the development of Indian nationalism. They spread political awareness, criticised colonial policies, promoted social reform, connected leaders with the public and encouraged people to participate in the freedom struggle.
Questions based on the founders, editors, languages and places of publication of important newspapers are frequently asked in UPSC, APPSC, SSC, Railways, Banking, State PSC, Police and other competitive examinations. Students must carefully distinguish between a newspaper’s founder, editor and a leader who was merely associated with it.
Major Corrections Made to the Old Post
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale was incorrectly linked with Sudharak. Sudharak was founded and edited by Gopal Ganesh Agarkar. Gokhale founded The Hitavada.
- Devendranath Tagore was incorrectly linked mainly with Indian Mirror. He is more accurately associated with the Tattwabodhini Sabha and Tattwabodhini Patrika.
- Krishna Pillai was an incomplete name. The correct personality is K. Ramakrishna Pillai, who edited Swadeshabhimani. The newspaper was founded by Vakkom Muhammad Abdul Khader Moulavi.
- Krishna Patrika was incorrectly assigned to Kongara Venkataiah. It was founded by Konda Venkatappayya and Dasu Narayana Rao. Mutnuri Krishna Rao later became its celebrated long-serving editor.
- Golconda Patrika was incorrectly assigned to Suryanarayana Rao. It is associated with its founder-editor Suravaram Pratap Reddy.
- Andhra Patrika was incorrectly assigned to Tanguturi Prakasam. It was founded by Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao. Tanguturi Prakasam founded the English newspaper Swarajya.
- The Hindu founders’ names were incomplete and misspelled. G. Subramania Iyer and M. Veeraraghavachariar were among its six founders.
- Swami Vivekananda inspired journals such as Brahmavadin, Prabuddha Bharata and Udbodhan, but he should not be described as the sole direct founder of all three.
Important Newspapers and Journals: Corrected Table
The “Role” column is important. A person may have founded a newspaper, served as its editor, purchased or revived it, or inspired its publication. These roles should not be treated as identical.
| S.No. | Personality or Organisation | Newspaper or Journal | Year | Role | Language or Place | Important Exam Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Augustus Hicky | Hicky’s Bengal Gazette or Calcutta General Advertiser | 1780 | Founder | English; Calcutta | Generally recognised as the first printed newspaper published in India. |
| 2 | Raja Rammohan Roy | Sambad Kaumudi; Mirat-ul-Akhbar | 1821; 1822 | Founder | Bengali; Persian | Used the press to campaign for social reform and freedom of expression. |
| 3 | Debendranath Tagore and Tattwabodhini Sabha | Tattwabodhini Patrika | 1843 | Patron / Associated | Bengali; Calcutta | Akshay Kumar Datta was its influential editor. It promoted social and intellectual reform. |
| 4 | Dadabhai Naoroji | Rast Goftar; Voice of India | 1851 onwards | Founder / Editor | Gujarati and English | Rast Goftar means “Truth Teller”. Naoroji used journalism to promote reform and Indian political interests. |
| 5 | Sisir Kumar Ghosh and Motilal Ghosh | Amrita Bazar Patrika | 1868 | Founders | Bengali and later English | Famously changed into an English newspaper to avoid restrictions under the Vernacular Press Act, 1878. |
| 6 | Kandukuri Veeresalingam | Vivekavardhini; Satihitabodhini | 1874 onwards | Founder / Editor | Telugu | Used journalism to support widow remarriage, women’s education and social reform. |
| 7 | G. Subramania Iyer, M. Veeraraghavachariar and colleagues | The Hindu | 1878 | Founders | English; Madras | Began as a weekly. It was founded by six young men and later became an important nationalist newspaper. |
| 8 | Surendranath Banerjea | The Bengalee | 1879 association | Owner / Editor | English; Calcutta | Banerjea acquired and edited the paper, using it to express moderate nationalist opinion. |
| 9 | Bal Gangadhar Tilak and associates | Kesari; The Mahratta | 1881 | Founder / Promoter | Marathi; English | Kesari was in Marathi and The Mahratta was in English. This is a frequently tested pairing. |
| 10 | Gopal Ganesh Agarkar | Sudharak | 1888 | Founder / Editor | Marathi and English | Agarkar earlier served as the first editor of Kesari and later founded Sudharak to promote rationalism and social reform. |
| 11 | Swami Vivekananda and his disciples | Brahmavadin; Prabuddha Bharata; Udbodhan | 1895 onwards | Inspired / Associated | English and Bengali | The publications were started by disciples and followers under Vivekananda’s inspiration and guidance. |
| 12 | Konda Venkatappayya and Dasu Narayana Rao | Krishna Patrika | 1902 | Founders | Telugu; Machilipatnam | Mutnuri Krishna Rao later became its renowned long-serving editor. |
| 13 | Mahatma Gandhi | Indian Opinion | 1903 | Editor / Publisher | South Africa; multilingual | Gandhi used Indian Opinion to communicate the ideas and campaigns that developed into Satyagraha. |
| 14 | Vakkom Muhammad Abdul Khader Moulavi and K. Ramakrishna Pillai | Swadeshabhimani | 1905 | Founder Editor | Malayalam; Travancore | Vakkom Moulavi founded the newspaper. K. Ramakrishna Pillai became its famous editor and was exiled for his criticism of the administration. |
| 15 | Bipin Chandra Pal and Sri Aurobindo | Bande Mataram | 1906 | Launched by Pal Edited by Aurobindo | English; Calcutta | Bipin Chandra Pal launched the paper, while Sri Aurobindo became its leading editor and ideological voice. |
| 16 | Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao | Andhra Patrika | 1908 | Founder | Telugu | A major Telugu nationalist publication. It was not founded by Tanguturi Prakasam. |
| 17 | Taraknath Das | Free Hindustan | 1908 | Founder / Editor | English; North America | An overseas revolutionary publication advocating Indian independence. |
| 18 | Madan Mohan Malaviya | Abhyudaya; The Leader; Hindustan | Early 20th century | Founder / Promoter / Editor | Hindi and English | Malaviya founded or promoted several nationalist publications and was closely associated with The Leader of Allahabad. |
| 19 | Pherozeshah Mehta | Bombay Chronicle | 1910 | Founder | English; Bombay | The correct spelling is generally written as Pherozeshah Mehta. |
| 20 | Gopal Krishna Gokhale | The Hitavada | 1911 | Founder | English; Nagpur | Gokhale founded The Hitavada, not Sudharak. |
| 21 | Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar | The Comrade; Hamdard | 1911; 1913 | Founder / Editor | English; Urdu | Jauhar used both publications to discuss nationalism, Muslim political concerns and the Khilafat question. |
| 22 | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad | Al-Hilal; Al-Balagh | 1912; 1915 | Founder / Editor | Urdu; Calcutta | Both journals promoted anti-colonial nationalism and Hindu–Muslim unity and faced colonial restrictions. |
| 23 | Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi | Pratap | 1913 | Founder / Editor | Hindi; Kanpur | Pratap became an influential voice against colonial injustice and social oppression. |
| 24 | Annie Besant | Commonweal; New India | 1914 onwards | Founder / Editor | English; Madras | New India developed from the Madras Standard acquired by Annie Besant. The journals supported Home Rule and national reform. |
| 25 | Mahatma Gandhi | Navajivan; Young India; Harijan | 1919; 1919; 1933 | Editor / Publisher | Gujarati, English and other editions | Gandhi used these journals to explain Satyagraha, non-violence, constructive work, social reform and national politics. |
| 26 | Motilal Nehru | The Independent | 1919 | Founder | English; Allahabad | Established as a nationalist alternative in Allahabad. |
| 27 | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar | Mooknayak; Bahishkrit Bharat; Janata; Prabuddha Bharat | 1920 onwards | Founder / Editor | Marathi | These publications voiced the rights, representation and social equality of historically oppressed communities. |
| 28 | Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu | Swarajya | 1921 | Founder / Editor | English; Madras | Tanguturi Prakasam is correctly associated with Swarajya, not with the founding of Andhra Patrika. |
| 29 | Sunder Singh Lyallpuri | Hindustan Times | 1924 | Principal Founder | English; Delhi | The newspaper was launched as a nationalist daily. Madan Mohan Malaviya and other leaders later supported it. |
| 30 | Suravaram Pratap Reddy | Golconda or Golakonda Patrika | 1920s | Founder / Editor | Telugu; Hyderabad State | It promoted Telugu language, literature, social awareness and cultural identity in the Telangana region under the Nizam. |
| 31 | Jawaharlal Nehru | National Herald | 1938 | Founder | English; Lucknow | Established as a nationalist newspaper during the final phase of the freedom struggle. |
Founder, Editor and Association: Understand the Difference
- A founder establishes or formally starts a newspaper.
- An editor controls or significantly shapes its editorial content.
- A person may become a famous editor even though another individual founded the publication.
- A leader may inspire, finance, revive, acquire or promote a journal without being its original founder.
Important Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Newspaper Pairings
| Newspaper or Journal | Correct Personality | Role | Exam Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vivekavardhini | Kandukuri Veeresalingam | Founder and editor | Associated with social reform and women’s education. |
| Krishna Patrika | Konda Venkatappayya and Dasu Narayana Rao | Founders | Mutnuri Krishna Rao was its celebrated editor. |
| Andhra Patrika | Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao | Founder | Important Telugu nationalist newspaper. |
| Swarajya | Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu | Founder and editor | Do not confuse it with Andhra Patrika. |
| Golconda Patrika | Suravaram Pratap Reddy | Founder and editor | Important for Telangana history, Telugu culture and social awareness. |
Important Examination Clarifications
- Kesari – Marathi; The Mahratta – English.
- Al-Hilal and Al-Balagh – Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
- The Comrade and Hamdard – Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar.
- Commonweal and New India – Annie Besant.
- The Hitavada – Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
- Sudharak – Gopal Ganesh Agarkar.
- Andhra Patrika – Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao.
- Swarajya – Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu.
- Golconda Patrika – Suravaram Pratap Reddy.
- Swadeshabhimani: founded by Vakkom Moulavi and famously edited by K. Ramakrishna Pillai.
Prabuddha Bharata and Prabuddha Bharat: Do Not Confuse Them
Prabuddha Bharata, ending with the letter “a”, is an English journal associated with the Ramakrishna Order and inspired by Swami Vivekananda.
Prabuddha Bharat, without the final “a”, is associated with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and developed from his newspaper Janata in 1956.
Role of Newspapers in the Freedom Struggle
- They criticised exploitative colonial economic and administrative policies.
- They spread the ideas of nationalism, Swadeshi, Home Rule, Satyagraha and social reform.
- They connected regional movements and leaders with a wider Indian readership.
- They exposed repression, racial discrimination and restrictions on civil liberties.
- Publications in Indian languages carried political ideas beyond the English-educated population.
- The colonial government responded through press laws, censorship, securities, confiscation and prosecution.
Important Press Laws for Competitive Exams
| Law | Year | Main Point | Exam Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing Regulations | 1823 | Imposed licensing restrictions on the press. | Raja Rammohan Roy protested against restrictions on press freedom. |
| Metcalfe Act | 1835 | Relaxed earlier press restrictions. | Charles Metcalfe is remembered as the “Liberator of the Indian Press”. |
| Vernacular Press Act | 1878 | Targeted Indian-language newspapers critical of colonial rule. | Enacted during Lord Lytton’s administration. |
| Indian Press Act | 1910 | Allowed the government to demand securities and confiscate publications. | Used against nationalist and revolutionary publications. |
Easy Memory Tricks
Tilak’s Newspapers
K–M: Kesari – Marathi; Mahratta – English.
Gandhi’s Four Major Journals
I–N–Y–H: Indian Opinion – Navajivan – Young India – Harijan.
Ambedkar’s Four Major Publications
M–B–J–P: Mooknayak – Bahishkrit Bharat – Janata – Prabuddha Bharat.
Important Telugu Pairings
- Konda – Krishna Patrika
- Kasinadhuni – Andhra Patrika
- Prakasam – Swarajya
- Suravaram – Golconda Patrika
Gokhale and Agarkar
Gokhale – Hitavada; Agarkar – Sudharak.
10 MCQs
1. Who founded the newspaper Sudharak?
Show Answer
Answer: B. Gopal Ganesh Agarkar
Agarkar founded and edited Sudharak. Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded The Hitavada.
2. The Hitavada was founded by:
Show Answer
Answer: A. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Gokhale launched The Hitavada in Nagpur in 1911.
3. Who founded Andhra Patrika?
Show Answer
Answer: C. Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao
Andhra Patrika was founded by Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao. Tanguturi Prakasam founded Swarajya.
4. Golconda Patrika is associated with:
Show Answer
Answer: A. Suravaram Pratap Reddy
Suravaram Pratap Reddy founded and edited Golconda Patrika in Hyderabad State.
5. Krishna Patrika was founded by:
Show Answer
Answer: A. Konda Venkatappayya and Dasu Narayana Rao
Mutnuri Krishna Rao later became the newspaper’s most celebrated long-serving editor.
6. Which pair is correctly matched?
Show Answer
Answer: C. Kesari – Marathi
Kesari was published in Marathi, while The Mahratta was published in English.
7. Al-Hilal and Al-Balagh were published by:
Show Answer
Answer: B. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
The Urdu journals promoted anti-colonial nationalism and Hindu–Muslim unity.
8. Which publication was founded by Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu?
Show Answer
Answer: C. Swarajya
Tanguturi Prakasam founded the English newspaper Swarajya. Andhra Patrika was founded by Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao.
9. Mooknayak, Bahishkrit Bharat and Janata are associated with:
Show Answer
Answer: B. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Ambedkar used journalism to demand equality, representation, education and social justice.
10. Who was the famous editor of Swadeshabhimani?
Show Answer
Answer: A. K. Ramakrishna Pillai
Swadeshabhimani was founded by Vakkom Moulavi and became famous under the editorship of K. Ramakrishna Pillai.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which was the first printed newspaper in India?
Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, started by James Augustus Hicky in Calcutta in 1780, is generally regarded as the first printed newspaper published in India.
2. Who founded Kesari and The Mahratta?
Bal Gangadhar Tilak and his associates established the publications in 1881. Kesari was in Marathi and The Mahratta was in English.
3. Did Gopal Krishna Gokhale start Sudharak?
No. Sudharak was founded by Gopal Ganesh Agarkar. Gokhale founded The Hitavada.
4. Who founded Krishna Patrika?
Krishna Patrika was founded by Konda Venkatappayya and Dasu Narayana Rao in 1902. Mutnuri Krishna Rao later became its famous editor.
5. Who founded Andhra Patrika?
Andhra Patrika was founded by Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao. Tanguturi Prakasam was associated with Swarajya.
6. Which journals were edited by Mahatma Gandhi?
Gandhi’s major journals included Indian Opinion, Navajivan, Young India and Harijan, along with related regional editions.
7. Which newspapers are associated with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar?
Important publications associated with Ambedkar include Mooknayak, Bahishkrit Bharat, Janata and Prabuddha Bharat.
8. Who started Golconda Patrika?
Golconda or Golakonda Patrika was started and edited by Suravaram Pratap Reddy.
Related Learning Resources
Official Sources and Further Reading
- Gandhi Heritage Portal – Journals by Mahatma Gandhi
- Press Information Bureau – Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
- Press Registrar General of India – History of Press Administration
- Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan – Annie Besant and Gopal Krishna Gokhale
- Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao and Andhra Patrika
- Suravaram Pratap Reddy – Golconda Patrika
- NCERT Official Textbook Portal
- Publications Division, Government of India
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