Detailed account of activism of Press in Hyderabad State

 

Question: Give me a detailed account of activism of Press in Hyderabad State.

Ans: Activism of the Press in Hyderabad State: A Chronicle of Resistance, Reform, and Renaissance

The history of journalism in Hyderabad State during the late 19th and early 20th centuries is not merely a story of newspaper publications and editorials. It is a powerful narrative of socio-political awakening, resistance against feudal autocracy, cultural assertion, and the pursuit of intellectual freedom. In a princely state ruled by the Nizam under the suzerainty of the British Crown, where democratic rights were virtually non-existent and political dissent was dangerous, the press emerged as one of the earliest and most effective tools for voicing concerns, exposing injustice, educating the masses, and sowing the seeds of reform and revolution.

The first recorded mention of print media in Hyderabad can be traced to the early 19th century when Captain Seydenham, a British Resident stationed in the state, presented a printing press to Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan. This gesture was met with disapproval by the East India Company, which instructed him to withdraw the press, suspecting its potential for political misuse. However, since the Nizam was unsure of its full utility, he allowed Seydenham to retain control over its operation. Thus began the embryonic phase of the printing revolution in Hyderabad—a phase characterized more by caution and curiosity than by free expression.

As Hyderabad moved into the latter half of the 19th century, the need for a modern press became evident. The state was undergoing changes in governance, education, public health, and infrastructure. With the rise of a literate middle class—comprising lawyers, teachers, bureaucrats, and merchants—there arose a need for a medium that could document social progress, offer commentary on public policy, and connect communities across the state. Initially, these early publications were modest efforts, often run by individuals or small collectives who had limited financial means but an abundance of idealism and civic commitment.

During the prime ministership of Vikar-ul-Umra, vernacular journals began to appear, albeit under close scrutiny. Urdu was the dominant language of the state administration, and naturally, most early newspapers and periodicals were published in Urdu. At this point, around twenty Urdu journals were in circulation, but many of them faced closure due to financial constraints, censorship, and lack of institutional support. Despite these limitations, the press continued to expand gradually, becoming more politically conscious and socially responsible over time.

The Nizam’s administration, understanding the growing power of the press, sought to control it through regulation. Permissions for new publications had to be obtained from the state, and content was subject to scrutiny. Despite this, a number of significant publications emerged, laying the foundation for journalistic activism. One of the earliest among them was “Jawabit-ul-Aksar,” which began circulation in 1883. This newspaper was one of the oldest in India and reflected a new era of news dissemination from Hyderabad, covering both local affairs and broader socio-political developments. .              www.osmanian.com

Even before this, in 1859, the medical journal “Risalat Abbi” was introduced. Although specialized in content, it marked Hyderabad’s entry into scientific and health-related publications. This was followed by the English-language newspaper “Deccan Times” in 1864. As the first English paper published from Hyderabad, it marked a significant shift toward colonial-style journalism that catered to both the educated elite and British officials. In 1882, “Hyderabad Telegraphy” was launched, another English-language newspaper, providing updates on administrative developments and global affairs.

In 1885, “The Hyderabad Record” added to the burgeoning press culture. This was followed by “Sedya Chandrika” in 1886, a translated version of an Urdu newspaper that introduced readers to technological innovations and modern agricultural practices. It aimed at enlightening the local farming communities by disseminating information on irrigation methods, crop rotation, and pest control—an indication that journalism was expanding its role beyond politics and governance to include science and rural development.

The “Deccan Standard,” an English newspaper published in 1889, continued this trend of elite engagement with news. In 1892, “Maulim-e-Nishan,” an Urdu publication initiated by Moulvi Saheb Hussain, began addressing issues of social reform within the Muslim community, especially concerning the condition of women. The inclusion of gender reform themes in the press showed that journalism in Hyderabad was gradually becoming an agent for progressive transformation.

By the early 20th century, religious missions and reform groups began to engage the press for outreach. In 1909, the journal “Samyuktha Sangha Varthamani” was published from Madhira, intended for the propagation of Christianity. Religious publications such as this often served as avenues for education, literacy, and debate, even if their primary focus was faith-based engagement.

The emergence of Telugu journalism in the region brought a profound shift in how press activism began influencing broader segments of society. “Hitabodhini,” published in 1913 from Mahabubnagar by Bandaru Srinivasa Sharma, was the first full-fledged Telugu newspaper from Telangana. Its publication symbolized the assertion of local linguistic identity and laid the groundwork for vernacular journalism to emerge as a force of cultural and political mobilization.

In 1917, “Andhra Maata,” a publication associated with the Theosophical Society and Swamy Venkata Rao, was published from Gowliguda. This journal, imbued with spiritual and philosophical discourse, blended moral instruction with social critique. It played a formative role in generating nationalist sentiment among Telugu speakers in Hyderabad.

The 1920s marked the true rise of political journalism in Hyderabad State. “Nilagiri Pathrika,” edited by Shabnavis Venkata Narasimha Rao and published in 1922 from Nalgonda, became a platform for intellectual debate and political awareness. The same year saw the launch of “Tenugu Pathrika” from Inugurthi village in Warangal district, initiated by brothers Oddiraju Sitaramachandra Rao and Oddiraju Raghava Ranga Rao. These local newspapers were often hand-printed, circulated in small batches, and read aloud in village meetings, creating a unique oral-literary culture that tied print journalism with mass communication.

A landmark moment in Telangana journalism came with the publication of “Golconda Pathrika” in 1925. Edited by the renowned intellectual and political activist Suravaram Pratap Reddy, the newspaper became a mouthpiece for the Telangana revolutionary movement. Published every Wednesday and Saturday, the paper combined literary essays, political commentary, cultural pieces, and fiery editorials. It was named by Pratap Reddy in collaboration with Madapati Hanumantha Rao, symbolizing a shared vision for Hyderabad’s transformation through intellectual engagement and political resistance.

The rural press continued to grow, reflecting the political stirrings among farmers and artisans. In 1926, “Deshabandhu Pathrika” was published from Vaddepally village, near present-day Medchal district, under the editorship of Bellampalli Narsimhacharyulu. It discussed rural distress, labor exploitation, caste inequality, and state indifference. Its powerful editorials resonated among rural masses, giving them a sense of political agency.

By 1927, “Rayyath,” an Urdu newspaper edited by Mandumula Narsinga Rao, had emerged as another influential voice. It reflected the concerns of Hyderabad’s working-class communities, covering issues such as wages, housing, food prices, and communal representation. The term “Rayyath” itself, meaning “common people,” symbolized a shift in journalistic focus from elite to grassroots concerns.

During the 1940s, journalism in Hyderabad became overtly political and aligned itself with nationalist sentiments. In 1941, “Meejan” was launched by Gulam Muhammad, a nationalist from Kolkata. The title, meaning "balance" or "scale," indicated its mission to weigh social and political issues fairly. Meejan attracted intellectuals from diverse religious backgrounds and promoted Hindu-Muslim unity even as the communal situation in the state worsened under the Nizam’s repressive policies.

Another important newspaper during this period was the “Kakatiya Newspaper,” started in 1944 by Pamulaparthi Sadashiva Rao and his colleagues. It catered primarily to the youth, students, and progressive thinkers of the Warangal and Karimnagar regions. This newspaper advocated democratic rights, critiqued feudalism, and called for land reforms, making it one of the most politically charged publications of the era.

The decades preceding Indian independence were marked by increasing suppression of the press in Hyderabad. The Nizam’s administration introduced censorship measures, monitored editorial content, and frequently arrested journalists and editors. However, these crackdowns often backfired by further politicizing the press and strengthening its resolve. Many journalists used satire, poetry, and allegory to bypass censorship, publishing stories that appeared innocuous but carried potent political messages understood by the public.

The relationship between the press and the growing movement for Hyderabad’s merger with the Indian Union was complex. While some newspapers remained neutral or cautiously aligned with the Nizam’s administration due to fear of reprisal, many others played a courageous role in exposing autocracy and advocating democratic values. The press became a meeting ground for social reformers, revolutionaries, poets, lawyers, and ordinary citizens who all sought to imagine a new future for the people of Hyderabad State.

Journalists and editors began organizing press associations, holding underground meetings, and participating in protests. They played a key role in mobilizing public opinion against the Razakars, the Nizam’s paramilitary force, which unleashed violence on those demanding accession to India. The press provided space for dissenters to publish eyewitness accounts, secret pamphlets, and appeals to the Indian government.

By the time Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union in 1948 through Operation Polo, the activism of the press had become a cornerstone of the people’s movement. It had educated a generation of citizens, challenged authoritarian rule, inspired reform, and created a foundation for democratic journalism in the post-independence period.

In conclusion, the press in Hyderabad State was not a mere conveyor of news but a powerful agent of change. From its humble beginnings under colonial and princely watch, it evolved into a dynamic force that awakened public consciousness, nurtured intellectual discourse, and catalyzed political resistance. Despite facing censorship, financial hardship, and political persecution, the newspapers and journals of Hyderabad became the voice of the voiceless, the conscience of the community, and the chroniclers of a society in transition. The legacy of these early journalistic efforts continues to inspire the modern media of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, reminding us of the courage, creativity, and commitment that built a vibrant press tradition under the shadow of feudalism.