Hicky's Bengal Gazette – Pioneering Free Press in India

Hicky’s Bengal Gazette was the first newspaper to be published in Asia, on January 29, 1780. It was started in jail by an edgy Irish man named James Augustus Hicky, who published sarcastic articles about the then Governor-General, Warren Hastings
Copy of the First Page of Hicky's Bengal Gazette (Dated - 10 March 1781); Source: Wikipedia; Public Domain

Copy of the First Page of Hicky's Bengal Gazette (Dated - 10 March 1781); Source: Wikipedia; Public Domain

Back in colonial India when Calcutta was the capital of the British-administrated state, an eccentric Irish man named James Augustus Hicky decided to start his own publication. On January 29, 1780, the first weekly English newspaper in Asia was published, titled Hicky’s Bengal Gazette. The newspaper, along with its publisher Hicky, became widely notorious in the eyes of the Crown for many reasons.

The man was drowning in an ocean of debt from past unsuccessful businesses, yet, instead of recovering his losses, Hicky decided to start his own publication while still imprisoned! The weekly editorial found appreciation from its readership for its neutral, extensive pieces. However, when Hicky learned that the East India Company was in the process of launching a competing editorial titled the India Gazette, the man lost his calm.

His neutrally written pieces turned into sarcastic articles which made sharp attacks at the British government’s high-ranking officials – which were often personal and derogatory in nature.

Warren Hastings, who was the first Governor-General of the Bengal Presidency, was perhaps one of the most influential men in India at the time. When Hicky was made aware of the launch of the India Gazette, he accused Hastings and his wife, Marian, of corruption and tyranny. He even had the audacity to throw mocking attacks at Hastings’ manhood and libido in his articles. More senior officials were accused of corruption and accepting bribery by Hicky. The officials, scandalised by Hicky’s cheekiness, tried to clamp down on his publication. In turn, Hicky started writing about how Hastings was intruding on his freedom of expression.

It took Warren Hastings and his officials quite a few lawsuits to stop Hicky from publishing controversial content.

Finally, in 1782, the types and printing press were seized by the government on orders from the judiciary. The short-lived, scandalous journey of Hicky’s Bengal Gazette had come to an end – and Hicky was still in jail!

Call it perseverance or obnoxiousness, Hicky’s writings had critical themes underlying, such as strong anti-war, anti-colonial, pro-class consciousness articles.

Although Hastings eventually forgave Hicky for the entire fiasco, the latter’s health deteriorated rapidly in jail. In 1802, Hicky died on board a boat to China.

Hicky’s Bengal Gazette served as an inspiration for many Indians to start editorials which published articles of dissent against the colonisers. In fact, many writers used the printing office of the Bengal Gazette as a starting point for their newspapers. Though he was controversial, Hicky deserves credit for sparking dissent and revolution though print media in India.

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