Question

Dadabhai Naoroji is referred to as the 'Grand Old Man of India'. Briefly describe:
(a) His views about the nature of British imperialism.
(b) His achievement in strengthening Indian nationalism.
(c) His views on the cause of poverty in India.

Answer 1

Sir Dadabhai Naoroji known as the "Grand Old Man of India" was an Indian Parsi scholar, trader and politician who was a Liberal Party member of Parliament.

a) Dadabhai Naoroji, the Grand Old man of India regarded the British imperialism as repressive and economically exploitative. The main objective of the British is economic exploitation of India. According to Dadabhai Naoroji, the British drained the India resources in the form of Home Charges, salaries, raw materials etc.

b) Dadabhai Naoroji's achievement in strengthening Indian nationalism:

1. He was one of the earliest Indian leaders to hold the view that the poverty of the Indian people was the result of exploitation of India by the British and the drain of India’s wealth to Britain.

2. He started movements against the Vernacular Press Act and the atrocious treatment of the poor peasants by Zamindars.

3. He helped in making the national movement more vigorous because four resolutions on self government Swaraj, boycott, swadeshi and national education were passed by the Congress under his presidentship.

c) Dadabhai naroji said that British are responsible for poverty in India. He explained that how Britishers are draining wealth from India. According to Dadabhai Naoroji, the British drained the India resources in the form of Home Charges, salaries, raw materials etc., This is how British caused poverty in India.