Mirat-ul-Akhbar

In Context

  • India’s first Persian newspaper Mirat-ul-Akhbar was seen in the news 

About Mirat-ul-Akhbar

  • Raja Rammohun Roy started India’s first Persian newspaper the Mirat-ul-Akhbar.
    • An erudite Persian scholar and a tenacious social reformer, he believed in ‘searching for the truth through the light of discussion.’
  • The newspaper was first published on 12 April 1822.
    • It was published on a weekly basis on Fridays.
  • Persian was chosen because it was still recognised in courts, and was seen as a means to reach the intelligentsia, the top policymakers of the country.

Rammohan also realised that he could express himself best in a language he was most comfortable with.