Remembering Sir Mark Tully: A Voice of India, A Legacy in Journalism

Mon Feb 02 2026 22:18:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Sir Mark Tully, the revered BBC broadcaster and a prominent voice in Indian journalism, passes away at 90, leaving behind a legacy of impactful reporting on South Asia's most significant events.

Tributes flow for Sir Mark Tully, a legendary BBC correspondent who died in Delhi at 90. Known as the 'voice of India', he reported pivotal moments in South Asian history and captured the essence of the nation in his work. His death sparked a heartfelt response from across India, highlighting his unparalleled connection to the country and its people.

Tributes have been pouring in for veteran BBC journalist Sir Mark Tully who has been cremated in the Indian capital, Delhi, a day after he died at the age of 90.

Hundreds of people - including friends and family - gathered at the Lodhi crematorium to bid their final goodbye to the broadcaster.

Sir Mark was widely regarded as the BBC's 'voice of India' and was one of the most admired foreign correspondents of his generation.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Sir Mark as 'a towering voice of journalism', adding that 'his connect with India and the people of our nation was reflected in his works'.

On Monday afternoon, mourners lined up around Sir Mark's body at the crematorium. Wrapped in a white cloth, his body was laid on a platform on a bed of flowers, made up of rose petals and tuberoses. Marigold garlands and a wreath were placed on top.

Christian priests recited prayers and hymns were sung, before the body was taken for cremation.

Sir Mark, who died on Sunday at a Delhi hospital where he was undergoing treatment, has been described as a 'chronicler of modern India'.

Over a career spanning several decades, he reported on big historical moments that defined South Asia's trajectory, including the Indian army's storming of the Sikh Golden Temple, the birth of Bangladesh, periods of military rule in Pakistan, the Tamil Tigers' rebellion in Sri Lanka and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

In 1992, while reporting on the demolition of the Babri mosque by Hindu hardliners, he faced threats from a mob and was locked in a room for several hours before a local official and a Hindu priest came to his aid.

Journalist Satish Jacob, who worked closely with Sir Mark at the BBC for nearly two decades, said he first met him on a flight in 1978, an encounter that 'marked the beginning of a friendship that lasted 48 years'.

In a personal tribute, Jacob recalled one of his fondest memories of his friend during India's win in the 1983 Cricket World Cup.

Author and historian William Dalrymple called Sir Mark a 'giant among journalists and the greatest Indophile of his generation', noting his irreplaceable voice in India's landscape.

Sir Mark's tenure at the BBC made him the most recognized and trusted radio voice in India, which is a profound testament to his influence and the legacy he leaves behind.

Born in Calcutta in British India in 1935, Sir Mark spent much of his life in the country and was knighted for services to broadcasting and journalism in the 2002 New Year Honours list. He also received two of India's highest civilian awards - the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan - an uncommon distinction for a foreign national.