The `Swadesamitran` was the first Tamil newspaper published in India. It was the only newspaper, which was, published in one the languages of South India during the British rule. This newspaper had the largest and the most widespread circulation of any Tamil publication of Madras Presidency. It had maximum circulation in other countries also such as in Upper and Lower Burma, Ceylon, Penang, Singapore, the Federated Malay States, Sumatra, Borneo, Cochin, China and South and East Africa.

The Swadesamitran was established in 1882. Then, it was run by Mr. G. Subramania Iyer, a veteran journalist of South India. Earlier, he was the editor and proprietor of a leading English daily newspaper. Mr T N Viswanathan skillfully assisted him in the running of this newspaper. The largest advertisers in England and America also preferred the Swadesamitran as a medium for advertisements.

The `Swadesamitran` was liked even in the interior parts of South India. It was read in the villages and in the cities by landlords, merchants, officials, and students. But the newspaper was mainly aimed for the higher class and its general policy was based on the progressive Western lines. The `Swadesamitran` represented the strong and loyal public opinion of the educated peoples and was the mouthpiece of almost the entire Tamil reading public.

It was only for the popularity of the `Swadesamitran`, its editor was invited to attend the Imperial Durbar held at Delhi by the Imperial Majesties King George and Queen Mary in 1911. He was the only one to represent a vernacular publication in this Presidency.