THE SPECIFIC FEATURES OF LOCAL PRESS COVERAGE ON BRITISH COLONIAL POLICY IN INDIA

Abstract

This article examines the representation of political instability and anti-colonial movements in British-ruled India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a focus on the years 1907–1909, through the lens of local and international press sources. Drawing on articles from English, Russian, German, and Indian newspapers, the study explores how colonial policy, public discontent, the rise of national consciousness, and geopolitical rivalries were portrayed in the media. Special attention is given to the psychological impact of Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese War, which fueled anti-colonial sentiment in India. The article also analyzes the divergent responses to unrest - from radical revolutionary tactics to moderate reformist appeals - and assesses how the press both reflected and shaped public opinion. The findings reveal the press's dual role as a historical source and as an active participant in political discourse, highlighting the complex interplay between colonial authority, local resistance, and global power dynamics.