Renowned journalist and author Mark Tully, widely regarded as one of the most perceptive chroniclers of India, passed away at a private hospital in the national capital on Sunday. He was 90.
Tully had been unwell for some time and was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket about a week ago. Hospital sources said he was admitted on January 21 under the nephrology department and died on Sunday.
Confirming the news, veteran journalist and close friend Satish Jacob said Tully passed away on Sunday afternoon at the Saket hospital.
Born in Calcutta, now Kolkata, on October 24, 1935, Tully spent over two decades as the BBC’s bureau chief in New Delhi, a role that placed him at the centre of reporting on India during some of its most transformative years.
His journalism, marked by depth and sensitivity, earned him wide respect both in India and abroad.
Beyond news reporting, Tully was an accomplished author and broadcaster.
He presented the BBC Radio 4 programme Something Understood and contributed to several acclaimed documentaries covering themes such as India’s social fabric, the legacy of the British Raj and the Indian Railways.
In recognition of his contributions to journalism and literature, Tully was knighted in 2002 and awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2005.
He authored several influential books on India, including No Full Stops in India, India in Slow Motion and The Heart of India, which continue to be widely read for their nuanced portrayal of the country.
