The Battle of Stalingrad on the pages of the Indian press: analysis of the perception of the event based on the newspaper «Bombay Chronicle» materials

Abstract

The study of the peculiarities of perception of the major events of the World War II in the press of colonial and semi-colonial countries is an important area in the study of global history and transnational communications. The Battle of Sta­lingrad caused a wide resonance throughout the world, including British India. An analysis of how this event was reflected in the Indian English-language press allows us to understand not only the specifics of the transmission of the Soviet military experience outside the USSR, but also the role of this story in shaping the political consciousness of Indian society. In the context of heightened antagonism between the British colonial authorities and the Indian national liberation movement, coverage of the Stalingrad events acquired additional significance and contributed to the promotion of ideological and propaganda narratives. Using the example of the regional newspaper «Bombay Chronicle», an attempt is made to trace the formation of the image of the USSR in Indian society, and strategic interest in the events that preceded the turning point in the World War II. A study of the publications of the newspaper «Bombay Chronicle» during the Battle of Stalingrad suggests that the Indian press’s image of the USSR was formed through analytical analysis of foreign and Soviet press materials, excerpts from which were frequently published in the newspaper. Correspondents, whenever possible, attempted to provide daily reports on the progress of the World War II in order to create a more detailed picture of global events.