Final Year of World War II Reflected in Indian Press Coverage: Materials from “The Hindustan Times” (1944–1945)

This study examines how Soviet Union's contribution to defeating Nazi Germany was presented and evaluated through newspaper discourse during World War II. It is based on materials published by India’s English-language daily, “The Hindustan Times,” which circulated in Delhi between 1944 and 1945. Access to these sources has been made possible with support from the Russian Cultural Center in Mumbai, marking their first scholarly utilization. The research tests a hypothesis that allied press objectively reflected the role of the USSR in overcoming German aggression. Findings indicate that articles published in “The Hindustan Times” expressed unabashed admiration for the heroics of the Soviet people and Red Army while acknowledging the leading role played by the USSR in crushing Hitler's expansionist forces. Additionally, it highlights public opinion within India that viewed the Soviet Union not only as victorious against Germany but also as an advocate for colonial peoples' rights. Overall, this work confirms previous hypotheses advanced by Russian scholars regarding accurate portrayal of the USSR's wartime contributions in Allied media outlets.