The Leader (24 October 1909 – 6 September 1967) [1] was one of the most influential English-language newspapers in India during British Raj. Founded by Madan Mohan Malviya, the paper was published in Allahabad.[2] Under C. Y. Chintamani, a dynamic editor from 1909 to 1934, it acquired a large readership in North India. His clash with Motilal Nehru over issue of his freedom as editor, meant that Motilal left within a year, thereafter between 1927 and 1936, Chintamani was not only the Chief Editor of the newspaper, but also the leader of the opposition in the U. P. Legislative Council.[2] Indian National Congress leader, Moti Lal Nehru was the first Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Leader,[3] and the paper remained politically charged through its existence, many of Mahatma Gandhi's writings were also published in it, and it is repository of important writing of that generation.[4]
The Duke University Library System has newspaper copies from 1963 to 6 September 1967 on microfilm,[1] apart from British Library, Asia, Pacific and African Collections and University of Cambridge, South Asian Studies Centre.[5]