Hindustan Times was founded in Delhi in 1924 by Akali leaders; Gandhi inaugurated its press on 15 September 1924 and K.M. Panikkar was its first editor. The Bi…
Akali activists founded it in Delhi. Gandhi inaugurated the press on 15 September 1924, and K.M. Panikkar was the first editor.
Madan Mohan Malaviya bought it in 1925. From 1927 G.D. Birla was its biggest shareholder, and his family still controls it.
The Mahatma's youngest son ran HT as managing editor from 1937 until his death in 1957. The Hindi daily Hindustan began in 1936.
During Quit India, HT stopped publishing for about four months rather than print under wartime press rules.
Its front page read 'India Independent: British Rule Ends'. Months later Gandhi was killed at Birla House, the owner's home.
By HT's account, with a 44-page special on the Constitution. It then covered India's first election and the new map of states.
Chief photographer Kishor Parekh covered two wars and the Bihar famine; his famine photos were shown in the US to raise relief money.
Power was cut on 25 June, censorship followed, and owner K.K. Birla removed editor B.G. Verghese on 23 September 1975.
In 1996. The website later became the main product, and by 2024 HT cited 81 million monthly visitors in India.
On 1 February 2007, with The Wall Street Journal as partner until 2014. A Mumbai edition had launched in July 2005.
Covid moved the newsroom home. On 31 August 2020 a Mario Garcia redesign brought the line 'First Voice. Last Word.'
With a centenary edition, and a commemorative stamp released by PM Modi at the HT Leadership Summit on 16 November 2024.
Before one-offs it made Rs 153 crore in FY26, mostly from print, but charges left a Rs 49 crore loss. It returned to profit in April-June 2026.
Kunal Pradhan became acting Editor-in-Chief on 1 October 2026, succeeding Sukumar Ranganathan, with full charge from mid-November.
Read the complete story, FAQs and key facts.