How foreign press covered India gaining Independence from British rule
Aug. 14, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
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The mid-20th century was a turbulent era, marked by the cataclysmic upheaval of World War II. In its aftermath, the Western powers, burdened by the enormous costs of the conflict and the demands of their colonies, teetered on the brink of instability. Yet, it was a seismic event from the Orient that truly sent shockwaves around the globe. The British Empire, that colossal titan, had lost its most resplendent jewel: India. The subcontinent, once subjugated, was now poised to embark on a new chapter as two independent nations - India and Pakistan.
Advertisement The world watched with a combination of awe and apprehension as this monumental experiment in self-determination unfolded. The very concept of a non-violent struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi captured the global imagination, offering a stark contrast to the prevailing ethos of power politics. Newspapers worldwide devoted significant space on their front pages to chronicle this momentous occasion, capturing the euphoria of freedom, the anguish of partition, and the complexities of nation-building.
The New York Times presented a panoramic view, juxtaposing the jubilant celebrations with the heart-wrenching tragedy of partition. Their map of the subcontinent, with its ambiguous borders, underscored the uncertain future of princely states. The Washington Post focused on the pageantry surrounding Indian independence, while acknowledging the undercurrent of violence. Their description of “oriental pomp and splendour” contrasted starkly with the “bloodshed, death and terror” that marred the occasion.
A transatlantic perspective was offered by the Chicago Tribune, which centred its coverage on Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy. While acknowledging the bloodshed in Punjab and Gandhi’s role, the paper opted for the loaded terms “Hindu India” and “Muslim Pakistan”. In stark contrast, the Irish Times, a nation that had itself wrestled free from British rule, expressed solidarity with India’s achievement, describing the celebrations as the “highest, noisiest and most joyful” ever witnessed in the East.
Advertisement The British press offered a complex and often conflicted narrative. The Daily Telegraph, a bastion of the establishment, devoted considerable space to the transfer of power, emphasising British “sagacity” and Indian “praise”. Yet, the image of the Union Jack being lowered at the Residency of Lucknow served as a poignant reminder of the empire’s demise.
Back home, Indian newspapers such as the Times of India, Hindustan Times, and Indian Express were consumed by a heady mix of pride and apprehension. They revelled in the euphoria of independence, capturing Nehru’s iconic ’tryst with destiny’ speech, while also acknowledging the monumental challenges that lay ahead.
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