Aj is a Hindi

Hindi

Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...

 newspaper published in 13 locations in Bihar

Bihar

Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....

 and Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...

. The main edition is published in Varanasi

Varanasi

-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...

. The newspaper was founded by a freedom fighter named Shiv Prasad Gupta

Shiv Prasad Gupta

Rashtraratana Shri Shiv Prasad Gupta was the founder of the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth. He was a great visionary, philanthropist and a leader of the Indian Freedom Movement...

. During the days of Indian national freedom struggle

Indian independence movement

The term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...

, Aj not only served the cause, it also helped spread the popularity of Hindi literature

Hindi literature

Hindi literature , is broadly divided into four prominent forms or styles, being Bhakti ; Shringar ; Veer-Gatha ; and Adhunik...

 among commoners in Hindi heartland and among non-Hindi areas as well. Once it was said if you want to learn Hindi "read Aj".

The media group is currently headed by Shiv Prasad Gupta

Shiv Prasad Gupta

Rashtraratana Shri Shiv Prasad Gupta was the founder of the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth. He was a great visionary, philanthropist and a leader of the Indian Freedom Movement...

's grandson, a businessman, Shri Shardul Vikram Gupta, popularly known as Bhaiyya Ji.