About The Statesman Kolkata The Statesman is one of India’s oldest English newspapers. It was founded in Kolkata in 1875 and is directly descended from The Friend of India (founded 1818). The Englishman (founded 1821) was merged with The Statesman in 1934. The Delhi edition of The Statesman began publication in 1931. The Statesman Weekly is a compendium of news and views from the Kolkata, Bhuvneshwar, Siliguri and Delhi editions. The Statesman prevailed, as the truth must prevail, and remains a favourite of readers in Kolkata and other parts of India.