From Newspapers
In the study of the Indian nationalist movement, newspapers stand as a crucial source of information. They published accounts in various languages, tracking Mahatma Gandhi's movements and reflecting the sentiments of ordinary Indians towards him. However, it's essential to recognize that these newspapers were influenced by the political opinions and worldviews of their publishers. For instance, a report from a London newspaper would likely portray Gandhi and his actions differently than an Indian nationalist paper.
Such accounts should not be interpreted literally, as they often encapsulate the anxieties and fears of colonial officials in response to a rapidly mobilizing public. For example, many reports expressed concerns about whether to arrest Gandhi or the implications that arrest could have on public sentiment. The colonial government closely monitored the public's reaction and struggled with the unpredictability of a movement that had begun to incite widespread participation among various social groups. Thus, understanding newspapers as both sources of factual reporting and reflections of political bias is critical to an accurate interpretation of historical events.