Dadabhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji, popularly known as the “Grand Old Man of India”, was a great Indian nationalist leader. He was considered to be one of the major personalities who laid foundation for Indian freedom struggle. Dadabhai Naoroji was elected to British Parliament in 1892 and became the first Asian to become British MP. 

Early Life of Dadabhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji was born in 4th September 1825 in a poor Parsi Family, in Bombay. His parents were Naoroji Palanji Dordi and Maneckbai. At the age of four, Dadabhai’s father died and he was brought up by his mother. After a brilliant academic career at Elphinstone Institution, Bombay, he was appointed as Head Native Assistant Master at the same institution. At the age of 27, he became the professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Elphinstone Institution and became the first Indian to a professor of the college.

Political Career

Dadabhai Naoroji’s political career started in the year of 1852. By strongly opposing the renewal lease of East India Company, he wrote many petitions to the British government. He realized that the major reason for the core suffering of Indian people was the lack of education. For promoting education among adult people, he started free literacy classes and set up an institution called Gyan Prasarak Mandal. In 1855, Dadabhai got the chance to join a business venture in England. During his time in England, he find many opportunities to put forward India’s problems and joined many learned societies, delivered many speeches and wrote several articles regarding India’s plight and needs.

In 1866, Dadabhai Naoroji found East India Association to ensure a fair treatment towards India’s problems. In 1892, he was elected to the British parliament as a Liberal member. He became the first Indian member of the British Parliament. By illustrating the systematic statistical reports, he put forward Drain Theory which finely explains the effects of foreign domination subject to the wealth and resources of India. All these ideas are well-described in his famous book – Poverty and Un-British Rule in India.

  Dadabhai Naoroji is considered as the major moving spirit of establishing Indian National Congress. Three times he was elected as INC’s president in the years 1866, 1893 and 1906. The INC demand Swaraj (Self government for India), was first publicly demanded by Dadabhai Naoroji. By dedicating his entire life to India’s freedom struggle, the “Grand Old Man of India” died at the age of 92 in 30th June 1970.