Nihar was a local newspaper published in Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. During the Swadeshi Movement, the newspaper helped rouse nationalist feelings and highlighted the true malicious nature of the imperial government.
In its 1st October 1907 issue, Nihar appealed people of Contai to boycott foreign goods and embrace Swadeshi, self-made goods. Unlike other journals or newspapers, Nihar did not refrain from pointing out the oppressive nature of British economic policies. It further requested all the local traders to bar themselves from selling any English-made clothes. Nihar pointed out that the Swadeshi Movement was a looming threat over the British Raj, and it was the right time for the people of Contai to fight back against their oppressive rulers. Such local journals encouraged people’s participation in the freedom struggle and spread the propaganda of Swadeshi to every corner of the region.
Nihar helped expose the exploitative tactics implemented by the British government. It boosted patriotic sentiments in people and urged them to boycott foreign goods and be self-reliant.
Source: Indian Culture Portal