Sir Mark Tully, Legendary BBC Journalist and 'Voice of India,' Dies at 90

2026-01-26 global

New Delhi, Monday, 26 January 2026.
The revered broadcaster, once so trusted that a poll suggested 70% of voters would have supported him as prime minister, passed away Sunday in New Delhi.

A Titan of Journalism Passes

Sir Mark Tully passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at a private hospital in New Delhi following a brief illness [2][5]. His cremation is scheduled to take place today, Monday, in the city he called home long after his official tenure with the BBC concluded [1]. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, describing Tully as a “towering voice of journalism” whose connection with the nation was deeply reflected in his body of work [1][2]. This sentiment underscores a career that transcended typical foreign correspondence, establishing Tully as a figure of immense authority within the region he covered [1].

Documenting the Subcontinent’s Transformation

Born in Calcutta in 1935 to British parents, Tully was often described as a “child of the Raj,” yet his professional legacy was defined by his ability to bridge the post-colonial divide [5]. He joined the BBC in 1964 and was appointed the corporation’s New Delhi correspondent in 1971, eventually serving as the bureau chief for South Asia for over two decades [2][5]. His tenure coincided with some of the most volatile periods in the subcontinent’s history, including the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh, the Bhopal gas disaster, and the assassination of two Indian Prime Ministers [2][3].

Conflict, Controversy, and Resignation

His reporting was not without peril or controversy. He was expelled from India in 1969 following a dispute over a French documentary but returned in 1971 to cover the war with Pakistan [5]. In later years, he faced threats while reporting on the demolition of the Babri mosque in 1992, an event that triggered nationwide riots [1][2]. Despite these challenges, his analysis remained indispensable; political scientist Pratap Bhanu Mehta observed that it was Tully’s “controlled despair” that provided a coherent picture of unfolding horrors to the Indian public [1].

An Enduring Legacy

In recognition of his services to broadcasting and journalism, Tully was knighted by the British government in 2002 [1][2]. Uniquely, he was also the recipient of two of India’s highest civilian honors, the Padma Shri in 1992 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005, reflecting the dual respect he commanded in both nations [1][5]. As historian William Dalrymple noted, Tully was “irreplaceable,” a journalist prepared to stand up to power and tell the truth, regardless of how uncomfortable it might be [1].

Sources

Journalism India