Get your copy of The Hindu’s rare 1947 Independence Day edition

On the morning of August 15, 1947, India awoke to freedom — and to the pages of a newspaper that captured the moment in ink. That day’s edition of The Hindu was more than a record of events; it was a mosaic of voices, from leaders and freedom fighters to ordinary citizens and businesses, each marking the birth of a nation in their own words.

This year, to mark the 78th anniversary of Independence, The Hindu is making that historic edition available once again. A faithful reprint of all 32 pages, exactly as they appeared on that first day of a free India. Every headline, every message, every advertisement appears just as it did in 1947, preserving not only the news of the day but the spirit with which it was shared.

The edition contains Independence Day greetings from national and international leaders, like Lord and Lady Mountbatten, Sardar Patel, Babu Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru and C Rajagopalachari. Reports detail how the first Independence Day was celebrated across the country, from official events to local gatherings, including flag hoisting ceremonies, processions, and speeches that drew thousands into the streets.

 1947 Independence Day edition of The Hindu
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu Archives

A centre spread brings together rare photographs tracing the journey from the struggle for freedom to the years of progress that followed.

Advertisements from brands like Tata Industries, the India Electric Works, Bosotto Hotel, Colgate, Amrutanjan, Philips, Hind Cycles and several others pledge their commitment to the new nation, with messages of hope and service. 

A small announcement notes legendary singer late M S Subbulakshmi’s special Independence Day performance on All India Radio. It is one of many details tucked into the pages that reward close reading. From railway timetables, to classifieds offering everything from typewriters to fountain pens, these advertisements, and announcements offer moments of quiet amusement and nostalgia.

Only 5,000 copies of this collector’s edition will be available. Priced at ₹500 each, it will be printed in the newspaper’s current size. It can be purchased exclusively on Blinkit in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai from August 14, until stocks last.

To purchase, log on to Blinkit