O Patriota First Indian Journal 4 Decades Before Bombay Times 1799

Posted By : Ashley D'souza 

The first Newspaper in Bombay was published in 1777 by Rustom Kersaspjee

Now in 1799 the 1st East Indian Journal is published , The first journal amongst us Its Called The O PATRIOTA It is Edited by Mr V-L- Da Silva Intended to be published monthly, It had to be issued intermittently during the year 

And it was first of many journalistic Forays by the East Indian Intelligentsia of the Time , Many of these Journals will later reflect the New Nationalist Fervor

From 1860 to 1882. Mr V-L . Da Silva was employed in the Bombay High Court and retired with a pension before his time to take up the responsible position of a journalist. He was an able and vigorous exponent of the cause of his people and wrote in fluent English, Three quarters of a century ago, hardly excelled by the writers of our succeeding generations. He fully upheld his aim as stated in his first issue

It is significant that the first edition of The Bombay Times & Journal Of Commerce will be launched Much Much later in 1838 It will be the Forerunner of the all powerful TIMES OF INDIA

Originally The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce, the paper was founded in 1838 to serve the British residents of western India. At first published twice weekly, the paper became a daily in 1851 and changed its name to The Times of India in 1861.

Mr. Da Silva died in 1882 at the age of 68 years. The Times of India of 24th November 1882 contained the following obituary notice

“The Native Portuguese Community (now East Indian) has sustained a great loss in the death of Mr. Vincent Da Silva the editor of a Portuguese and English periodical, known as the O PATRIOTA . The deceased was a warm supporter of the cause of his fellow countrymen, Both in the columns of his paper and in various other ways and his death wil be greatly felt by those who received the benefit of his warm advocacy.”

Even Today if you have to visit his grave The inscription on his tomb stone in the church yard of Our Lady of Salvation Lower Mahim reads:

“A Benefactor and Patriot by Character, he fought for the good of his countrymen even at the sacrifice of his own interest. This parish in loving recognition of his services dedicates this grave and Tombstone to his memory.”