The Localized History Project

Key Publications

Free Hindusthan

The Free Hindusthan (November-December, 1908)

First published by Taraknath Das in 1908, the Free Hindusthan shed light on the struggles of Indians under British colonialism. Issues often contained graphic images of malnourished Indian children and updated readers on key developments of the anti-colonial movement. In one of his earliest pieces, Das asserted the right to Indian independence, writing, ā€œWe have no room to live as human beings under the British flag either at home or abroad. Great Britain's present aspiration is to hold India under subjugation forever.ā€ Since much of Das’ work had broader anti-imperialist connections, he often published in the New York based Gaelic American, a similar publication working for freedom from British tyranny. Jointly, they declared ā€œā€¦resistance to tyranny is service to humanity and a necessity of civilization.ā€

Young India

Young India (December 1920)

Young India was Lajpat Rai’s publication from around the same period as the Free Hindusthan. Rather than purely sharing information regarding the movement, Rai intended to garner sympathy from the American people for the Indian home-rule cause. The publication looked at very specific injustices suffered by Indians, from dangerously low salt consumption per individual to high tariffs destroying industries. Rai often used an economic lens to better explain the struggles of Indians and did not shy away from addressing gender inequalities. Due to his close relationship with W.E.B. DuBois, Rai often took excerpts from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s journal and published them in the Young India.

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