Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji was born on September 4, 1825, in Navsari, Gujarat, India. He was born into a Parsi Zoroastrian family. His father, Naoroji Dadabhai, was a priest and merchant. His mother, Manekbai, was a homemaker.
Naoroji received his early education in Navsari. He then went on to study at the Elphinstone College in Bombay. After graduating from Elphinstone College, Naoroji taught mathematics and natural philosophy at the college.
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Career of Dadabhai Naoroji
In 1855, Naoroji moved to London to work as a partner in a cotton trading company. However, he resigned from the company after three years due to ethical concerns.
In 1861, Naoroji founded the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe. He also founded the London Indian Society in 1865 and the East India Association in 1867.
Naoroji was elected to the Legislative Council of Bombay in 1885. He was also elected President of the Indian National Congress in 1886 and 1906.
In 1892, Naoroji was elected to the British House of Commons as the MP for Finsbury Central. He was the first Indian to be elected to the British Parliament.
Drain Theory
Naoroji is best known for his theory of the “drain of wealth” from India to Britain. He argued that the British colonial government in India was extracting wealth from the country and sending it back to Britain. This drain of wealth, he argued, was one of the main causes of poverty in India.
Legacy of Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the Indian independence movement. He was a leading figure in the Indian National Congress and his work on the drain theory helped to raise awareness of the economic exploitation of India under British rule.
Naoroji was a respected figure in both India and Britain. He was awarded the Knighthood of the Star of India in 1907. He died in Bombay on June 30, 1917, at the age of 91.
Dadabhai Naoroji was a remarkable man who made significant contributions to India. He was a brilliant economist, a tireless advocate for Indian independence, and a respected figure in both India and Britain. His work on the drain theory helped to raise awareness of the economic exploitation of India under British rule and his legacy continues to inspire people today.
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