Dainik Bhaskar
A Hindi daily that became India's largest newspaper by circulation.
Dainik Bhaskar (lit. 'The Daily Sun') is a Hindi-language daily newspaper in India owned by the Dainik Bhaskar Group. Started in Bhopal in 1958 by Ramesh Chandra Agarwal, it ranked fourth in the world by circulation in 2016 and was the largest newspaper in India by circulation as of 2022. The group is present in 13 Indian states with 65 editions in Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati.
- Founded
- 1958
- Founder
- Ramesh Chandra Agarwal
- Field
- Newspaper publishing
- Nationality
- Indian
- Known for
- Being the largest newspaper in India by circulation as of 2022
- Headquarters
- Bhopal (initial)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Dainik Bhaskar began as Subah Savere in 1948, renamed Bhaskar Samachar in 1957, and finally Dainik Bhaskar in 1958. Its rising sun graphic symbolized a bright future. The newspaper expanded in 1983 with an Indore edition and by 1995 was the number 1 newspaper in Madhya Pradesh. In 1996, it entered Jaipur with a novel survey-based subscription model, selling 172,347 copies on launch day to become the city's top newspaper. It replicated this success across Rajasthan, becoming the No.1 urban newspaper of the state by 1999. Subsequent expansions included Chandigarh (2000), Haryana (2000), Punjab (2006), Jharkhand (2010), Bihar (2014), and an online edition in Uttar Pradesh (2014).
Reader's Guide
Dainik Bhaskar's significance lies in its rapid growth from a single-city Hindi daily to India's largest newspaper by circulation, demonstrating the power of market research and aggressive subscription drives. Its expansion strategy—surveying households, offering discounts, and guaranteeing refunds—disrupted established players in multiple states. The newspaper also courted controversy: in 2021, income tax raids at 30 locations were alleged by the paper to be retaliation for its COVID-19 coverage, a view echoed by several political leaders, though the government denied interference. In 2023, the Madras High Court ordered Dainik Bhaskar to issue a corrigendum for reporting a fake news story about Bihari workers being attacked in Tamil Nadu. Fact-checks by Alt News also found the paper published misleading reports in 2018 and 2022. These incidents highlight the tension between the paper's market dominance and its editorial accountability.
Did You Know?
- Dainik Bhaskar ranked fourth in the world by circulation in 2016, according to the World Association of Newspapers.
- The newspaper was originally named Subah Savere in 1948, then Bhaskar Samachar in 1957, before becoming Dainik Bhaskar in 1958.
- On its launch day in Jaipur in 1996, Dainik Bhaskar sold 172,347 copies, becoming the city's No. 1 newspaper.
- In 2021, the Income Tax Department raided 30 locations of the Dainik Bhaskar Group, with the paper alleging it was retaliation for its COVID-19 coverage.
- In March 2023, the Madras High Court directed Dainik Bhaskar to issue a front-page corrigendum for reporting a fake news story about Bihari workers in Tamil Nadu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dainik Bhaskar?
Dainik Bhaskar is a Hindi-language daily newspaper in India, with a name that translates roughly to 'The Daily Sun.' It is published under the Dainik Bhaskar Group and has grown into one of the most widely read print titles in the country.
Who founded Dainik Bhaskar and when?
Ramesh Chandra Agarwal launched the paper in 1958 out of Bhopal, which also served as its original headquarters. From that single-city start, it expanded into a major national media operation.
How large is Dainik Bhaskar's readership?
As of 2022 it held the top position as India's most circulated newspaper, and by 2016 it had already ranked fourth in the world by circulation. That sheer scale of readership is a key reason it stands out in any news-media ranking.
What languages and regions does Dainik Bhaskar cover?
The group puts out 65 editions across 13 Indian states, offering content in Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati. This multilingual spread lets it reach readers well beyond its core Hindi-speaking audience.
Why is Dainik Bhaskar important in the news-media landscape?
Its combination of massive circulation, multilingual reach, and continuous publication since 1958 make it a defining example of Indian print journalism. For fans tracking media history, it shows how a regional daily can grow into a national institution.
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