 | |
| Owner | Richard Johnson |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Richard Johnson |
| Founded | 12 October 1785 |
| Ceased publication | 1821 |
| Language | English |
| Headquarters | Madras,Madras Presidency,British India |
TheMadras Courier was an IndianEnglish language newspaper that ran between 1785 and 1821.[1] It was the first newspaper to be published inMadras,Madras Presidency,British India. It was the leading newspaper of its time and was the officially recognized newspaper for printing government notifications.[1]
Madras Courier was found on 12 October 1785 by Richard Johnston, aBritish Army officer turned printer.[1] The transition in career path led him to establish the first newspaper in theMadras Presidency, following theBengal Gazette, India's first newspaper, which was launched in Calcutta in 1780.[1] Hugh Boyd was its first editor.[2][3][4][5][6]
Functioning as a weekly publication, theMadras Courier gained official recognition for publishing government notifications.[1] It enjoyed the patronage of theBritish East India Company in its initial years.[1] The newspaper, according to Henry Davison Love'sVestiges of Old Madras (1640-1800), benefited from privileges such as postal waivers within the presidency and exemptions on freight charges for importing printing equipment.[1][7]
In contrast to theBengal Gazette, which was critical of the East India Company and faced suppression, theMadras Courier avoided offending the company.[1] Nonetheless, it encountered controversies, such as debates over the legality of lotteries for public projects and accusations of libel.[1] The paper faced challenges with the rise of competitors such as theMadras Gazette andGovernment Gazette, leading to its closure in 1821.[1]
The newspaper typically encompassed four to six pages and featured a Latin motto, "Quicquid agunt homines" ("Whatever people do").[1] Its content included British news, letters to the editor, local Indian news, poetry, and advertisements. It initially released issues on Wednesdays, later switching to Thursdays.[1]