Hindustan Times and the Lyallpuri Era: Champion of Freedom and Press

Introduction

Leading Sikh activist for Indian freedom, Sunder Singh Lyallpuri, was a writer and educationist who was common within the Akali Movement. In expansion to being a founding member of the Central Sikh League, Lyallpuri was instrumental in the growth of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Gurdwara Reform Movement in the early 1920s. He played several parts in the establishment and improvement of Indian freedom. Here we are talking about the Hindustan Times and the Lyallpuri Era: Champion of Freedom and Press.

The life of Sunder Singh Lyallpuri confirms the quality of commitment, backbone, and administration. His story rouses eras as a driving player within the Indian freedom battle and the driving constraint behind the Hindustan Times. Lyallpuri’s influence continues to influence the country’s socio-political climate, from early campaigning to establishing one of India’s top newspapers.

We are discussing Hindustan Times and the Lyallpuri Era: Champion of Freedom and Press:

Sunder Singh Lyallpuri – Highlights

The Journey & Path to Success of Sunder Singh Lyallpuri

Sunder Singh Lyallpuri (1878–1969) was a journalist, teacher, and freedom fighter. He founded the Central Sikh League and played a significant role in the 1920s in the growth of the Gurdwara Reform Movement and the Shiromani Akali Dal. In 1878, Sunder Singh was born in the Bohoru village of Amritsar. Ram Kaur was his mother’s name, and Lakhmir Singh Sandha was his father. The family moved to the Sheikhupura District (now in Pakistan) and received land in the newly established Bar Chenab colony, Faisalabad.

Sunder Singh attended Shahkot, Pakistan, for his elementary and high school education. He then pursued a B.A. (Honours) at Khalsa College Amritsar and a B.T. at Government College Lahore. He was allowed to interview in person for the tehsildar (revenue officer) job, but he declined. Instead, he sat in front of Sunder Singh, who made Lyallpur his operational center and called Lyallpur affectionately. He started instructing the Sikhs on the origins and development of Sikhism. Lyallpuri established the Khalsa Bhujangi Sabha (Khalsa Youngman Association) in association with Harchand Singh Reyes and others. The organization’s members were instrumental in Sikh affairs and the nation’s development.

He started releasing nationalistic essays and patriotic songs in his weekly journal, Sacha Dhandora, inspired by the Sikh religion. He co-wrote the Anand Marriage Act with Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha, and it was subsequently sent for examination to the Special Committee. Based on these recommendations, the act was finally passed on October 22, 1909. The Anand Marriage Act of 1909 was the first step toward formally recognizing the Anand Karaj (Sikh marriage), which the Sikh Gurus first instituted. In the Rakabganj Gurudwara Morcha, Lyallpuri was instrumental, as were Harchand Singh, Teja Singh Samundri, Sardul Singh, and Master Mota Singh.

Sunder Singh established the first elementary school in the Singh Sabha Lyallpur building with the enthusiastic assistance of Harchand Singh; the school was subsequently transformed into Lyallpur High School. Over time, the High School transformed into the renowned Lyallpur Khalsa College. Martial law was imposed on practically all of Punjab, including Lyallpur, after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre on April 13, 1919. Lyallpuri was one of the twelve persons the police detained.

He was accused of murder, assault, and arson. He received a hanging sentence even though the case was not established. Prominent attorneys, including M.M. Malviya, C. R. Das, and Moti Lal Nehru, took up Lyallpuri’s case. Later, a special government decree reduced the death penalty to a fine and jail time.

But in the end, the punishment was lowered to a fine of Rs. 1200 and a year and a half in jail. After being released from prison, Lyallpuri started the Punjabi daily Akali. The Akali Daily was founded to defend Sikh rights and provide a political voice to their issues. May 21, 1920, saw the publication of the Akali’s inaugural issue. Lyallpuri was the publication’s manager, publisher, chief editor, and owner. The Sikh community was largely electrified by the writings in the Akali, which Lyallpuri published. He was charged with and given a one-year prison sentence in 1922 for penning and disseminating controversial writings.

Once out of jail, he started the Hindustan Times. This daily is delivered in multiple regions and is currently a part of one of the most notable groupings of Indian dailies. Lyallpuri persisted in holding the position of All-India-Congress Committee member. He was present at the 1929 Lahore Congress Session. In addition, Lyallpuri served three years in prison for his involvement in the Civil Disobedience Movement. He continued to be involved in politics and society after his release. He was highly esteemed by Partap Singh Kairon and Gurdit Singh Komagatamaru, who called him the Akali Phula Singh of the Sikhs. On March 3, 1969, Lyallpuri departed from this life.

A financial crisis forced him to sell The Hindustan Times, which he had founded, to Birla Group. In addition to co-drafting the Sikh marriage laws, Sunder Singh Lyallpuri popularized the non-cooperation movement in Punjab. In addition, he took part in various movements, such as civil disobedience, that opposed the British.

The Team Behind the Success

According to circulation statistics, Hindustan Times is the second most widely read newspaper in India and one of the most extensively circulated newspapers. It is incredibly well-liked, particularly in Northern India. Sunder Singh Lyallpuri, who also formed the Akali movement in Punjab Province, saw the need for an English daily to reach out to the non-Punjabi people in northern India. He so founded the Hindustan Times. Tara Singh and Madan Mohan Malaviya were two of the Managing Committee members. The Sikh community in Canada provided most of the paper’s first funding. Hindustan Times was anti-British and had a nationalistic bent from the first.

Mahatma Gandhi officially launched Hindustan Times on September 26, 1924, the start of its journey. The inaugural edition was released in Delhi’s Naya Bazar. It included writings and articles by Cattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy and C. F. Andrews. Madan Mohan Malaviya purchased Hindustan Times in 1927 when it was reorganized as Hindustan Times Pvt. Ltd., a limited liability business. Mahatma Gandhi appointed K.M. Panikkar as the new editor in 1928. At this point, due to financial difficulties, G.D. Birla ultimately purchased the publication. Devdas Gandhi was named managing editor of the journal in 1937, a position he held until 1957.

History of Hindustan Times

The Indian Independence Movement established the Hindustan Times, which was involved in the well-known Hindustan Times Disdain Case of 1941 before the Allahabad Court. The distribution ceased publication for four and a half months in 1942 due to its refusal to comply with daily paper censorship forced by the British.

Hindustan Times, distributed out of Delhi, rose to conspicuousness as one of the driving distributions after India gained freedom in 1947. After K.K. Birla supplanted G.D. Birla as publisher of Hindustan Times in 1957, the publication’s circulation doubled to over one lakh forty thousand duplicates. Hindustan Times, edited by several well-known Indians, including Devdas Gandhi, Sri Mulgaonkar, B.G. Verghese, and Khushwant Singh, remained among the country’s most perused daily papers. 

Hindustan Times commemorated its platinum jubilee in 1999, and five new editions were released for Kolkata, Bhopal, Ranchi, Chandigarh, and Jaipur at the start of the twenty-first century.  Hindustan Times’ media division was split up and reorganized as HT Media Ltd. in 2003. Since its launch, Hindustan Times has enjoyed a great reputation and readership, making it a preferred newspaper for advertisements. Hindustan Times has always been the preferred choice for individuals and businesses seeking advertising because of its strong brand value, extensive readership, and high circulation.

Innovation and Revolution of Hindustan Times

The name Hindustan Times alone carries a faint undertone of seductive patriotism, as has been its strange but interesting journey along the route of truth-telling throughout the British Raj era of the twentieth century and into the current political landscape. When the author examines the history of this massive work, which started as an Akali newspaper focused on Delhi in 1924 and acknowledged the existence of Sikh nationalism, following its path into 2019, she finds that the organization has experienced a plethora of transformations that are nothing short of revolutionary.

The paper initially aimed to use its articles to incite nationalistic feelings among the general public. The Akalis also wished to spread Sikhism’s beliefs via the paper to find support and motivation in these ideals and continue to be inspired to fight for liberation. She investigates how the media outlet operated as a tool for change that aimed to weaken the colonizers’ iron grip and how it persevered with its inspiring words till India attained independence to think about this and its aftereffects. At the time, nobody could have imagined that Hindustan Times would grow to become one of the most widely read English daily in India.

The Hindustan Times underwent several ownership changes before stabilizing under the Birlas’ patronage. The Birlas are currently the owners of the HT Group of enterprises. Following independence, audience interests gained significance in a market rapidly transitioning from a social to a financial domain. The motivations and inspirational tales of the HT employees who took inspiration from history and oversaw the group’s information, education, and entertainment businesses across print (magazines and newspapers), radio, and digital media are also extensively discussed, helping them achieve exponential growth and diverse diversification.

The organization has developed into a long-lasting empire undergoing countless changes in various areas. The author analyzes these changes in design, layout, content, ownership, distribution, circulation, technology, geopolitical launches, pricing strategies, and ownership changes.

How Sunder Singh Lyallpuri Gave Impact by Hindustan Times

The paper’s Managing Committee, which included Pt. Madan Mohan Malaysia and Master Tara Singh were deeply involved in the Indian liberation movement. Master Sunder Singh Lyallpuri was the Chief Patron and the Managing Chairman. K.M. Panikkar served as the paper’s initial editor, and Devdas Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s son, was also on the editorial board. Articles and writings by C. F. Andrews, St. Nihal Singh, Maulana Mohammad Ali, T. L. Vaswani, Ruchi Ram Sahni, Bernard Haton, Harinder Nath Chattopadhyaya, Dr. Kichlu, and Rubi Waston, among others, were published in the newspaper.

HT Café is a lifestyle section in the Mumbai edition of Hindustan Times six days a week and covers topics such as cars, health, and travel. The paper has three supplements: “HT Estates,” which is a real estate section; “Splurge,” which is based on luxury; and “Horizons,” which is an education supplement that appears on Wednesdays. There’s a special magazine called Brunch on Sundays.

The Hindustan Times in Delhi publishes a lifestyle supplement named HT City every day and “HT City We” on Fridays. There is a job-focused supplement on Tuesdays, an education supplement called Horizons on Wednesdays, a real estate supplement called HT Estates on Thursdays, and a lifestyle supplement called Splurge on Saturdays. ‘Brunch’ is the Sunday magazine published in the Delhi edition. Under the supervision of Shobhana Bhartia, the Delhi edition is under the K K Birla group.

Lessons from Sunder Singh Lyallpuri

The life of Sunder Singh Lyallpuri provides a wealth of wisdom for future business owners and leaders. His steadfast dedication to journalism, social justice, and education emphasizes how crucial it is to uphold one’s morals in the face of difficulty. Lyallpuri’s capacity to galvanize people, overcome obstacles, and effect change emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism and visionary leadership. In addition, his contribution to establishing the Hindustan Times is an example of how the media may influence public opinion and promote democratic values. Lyallpuri’s legacy provides direction for anybody aiming to significantly influence society.

Sunder Singh Lyallpuri – Milestones, Awards and Achievements

Awards such as the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning (given to US cartoonists since 1922) and the British Press Awards’ “Cartoonist of the Year” honor editorial cartoons and cartoonists.

FAQ’s

When was the Hindustan Times founded?

Hindustan Times was founded in 1924 by Sunder Singh Lyallpuri.

Who was Devdas Gandhi?

Devdas Gandhi was the editor of Hindustan Times during the Lyallpuri Era. He was the son of Mahatma Gandhi and a prominent journalist and political commentator.

What is the Hindustan Times known for?

Hindustan Times is known for its comprehensive coverage of news and events, its commitment to journalistic integrity, and its advocacy for press freedom and social justice.

Has the Hindustan Times received any awards or accolades?

Hindustan Times has received numerous journalism awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award and the International Press Institute India Award.

Conclusion

Generations to come are inspired by Sunder Singh Lyallpuri’s lasting impact as a journalist, educator, and freedom warrior. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to social justice, education, and journalism continue to make him a beacon of hope for everyone looking to significantly impact society. Lyallpuri’s efforts in the Indian independence movement and establishing Hindustan Times have impacted the country’s sociopolitical climate. As we consider his life and accomplishments, we are reminded of the strength of tenacity, morality, and purpose in creating a better future for future generations.

saraseej T

As a passionate and results-driven digital marketer, I specialize in crafting and executing comprehensive digital marketing strategies that drive brand awareness, engage audiences, and deliver measurable results. With a proven track record in creating impactful online campaigns, I thrive on leveraging the latest trends and technologies to elevate brands to new heights.