The Life and Legacy of Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji also known as the “Grand Old Man of India” and “Unofficial Ambassador of India” was an Indian political leader, merchant, scholar, and writer. Who was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom House of Commons between 1892 and 1895 and the first Asian to be a British MP other than the Anglo-Indian MP David Ochterlony Dyce Sombre, who was disenfranchised for corruption after nine months in office? Naoroji is renowned for his work in the Indian National Congress, of which he was one of the founding members and thrice the elected president in – 1886, 1893, and 1906. In the session of 1906, his conciliatory tactics helped to postpone the impending split between moderates and extremists in the Congress Party.
In his many writings and speeches and especially in Poverty and Un-British Rule in India (1901), Naoroji argued that India was too highly taxed and that its wealth was being drained away to England. He was also a member of the Second International along with Kautsky and Plekhanov. In 2014, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg inaugurated the Dadabhai Naoroji Awards for services to UK-India relations. India Post depicted Naoroji on stamps in 1963, 1997 and 2017.
Early Life And Education
Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the “Grand Old Man of India,” was born on September 4, 1825, in Navsari, a town in the Bombay Presidency of British India. He hailed from a Gujarati-speaking Parsi Zoroastrian family and was educated at the Elphinstone Institute School, which laid the foundation for his illustrious academic and political career. His early life was marked by the patronage of Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the Maharaja of Baroda, who recognized Naoroji’s potential and supported his education. Naoroji’s commitment to public service and reform began early, as he founded the Rahnumai Mazdayasan Sabha to restore the Zoroastrian religion to its original purity and simplicity. His educational journey continued as he became a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Elphinstone College in Bombay, making him one of the first Indians to hold such a prestigious academic position.
Career And Achievements
Dadabhai Naoroji was a significant figure in the Indian independence movement and a pioneering nationalist leader. His career was marked by several key accomplishments, including his tenure as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom for Finsbury Central from 1892 to 1895, making him the second person of Asian descent to be a British MP. He served as the Diwan of Baroda and was a co-founder and three-time president of the Indian National Congress, leading it during critical periods of the freedom struggle. Naoroji’s scholarly work, particularly his book “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India,” introduced the theory of the Indian “wealth drain” into Britain, which became a cornerstone of the economic critique against colonial rule. His contributions to UK-India relations were recognized posthumously with the inauguration of the Dadabhai Naoroji Awards in 2014. Moreover, India Post honored him with commemorative stamps in 1963, 1997, and 2017, cementing his legacy as a key figure in India’s history.
Notable Events And Milestones
Dadabhai Naoroji career spanned various roles, including that of an educator, merchant, and politician, which took him from India to England, where he became the first Indian to be elected to the British Parliament as a member of the Liberal Party for Central Finsbury in 1892. Naoroji’s contributions to society and culture were manifold. He was a co-founder of the Indian National Congress (INC) and served as its president three times – in 1886, 1893, and 1906. His leadership in the INC helped shape the direction of the Indian independence movement. As an educator, he was a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Elphinstone College in Bombay, and he was deeply involved in social reform within the Parsi community and beyond. He founded the Rahnumai Mazdayasan Sabha to restore the Zoroastrian religion to its original purity and simplicity and launched a Gujarati fortnightly publication, the Rast Goftar, to promote social reforms.
Naoroji’s lasting impact on history is most evident in his economic critique of British colonialism, encapsulated in his theory of the “wealth drain” from India to Britain. His seminal work, “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India,” published in 1901, argued that India was being economically exploited by Britain, a concept that fueled the fire of the Indian independence movement and influenced future leaders like Mahatma Gandhi. His efforts to establish the London Indian Society and the East India Association aimed to influence British policies towards India and create spaces of debate on Indian issues in the metropole. In the political arena, Naoroji’s election to the British Parliament was a significant milestone. His speeches and writings during this time brought the plight of India to the attention of the British public and parliamentarians. He was also appointed a member of the royal commission on Indian expenditure in 1895, further highlighting his influence on British-Indian relations.
Naoroji’s legacy endures in the form of the Dadabhai Naoroji Awards, inaugurated in 2014 for services to UK-India relations, and his depiction on Indian postage stamps in 1963, 1997, and 2017. His life and work continue to inspire generations of Indians and others around the world who study the impacts of colonialism and the fight for independence. As a reformer, his efforts were not limited to the political sphere; he also made significant contributions to education, social reform, and economic thought. His multifaceted legacy is a testament to his profound impact on society, culture, and the world at large. He died on 30 June 1917 (aged 92) in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India.
Awards And Honors
- Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the “Grand Old Man of India,” was a significant figure in the Indian independence movement and a pioneering parliamentarian in the United Kingdom.
- He served as a Liberal Party Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons, representing Finsbury Central from 1892 to 1895.
- Naoroji was a co-founder and served multiple terms as President of the Indian National Congress, playing a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence.
- His work, “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India,” brought attention to the economic consequences of British rule in India and is considered a significant work in Indian economic thought.
- In recognition of his contributions to UK-India relations, the British government inaugurated the Dadabhai Naoroji Awards in 2014, which are bestowed for services to UK-India relations across commerce, culture, and education.
- India Post has honored Dadabhai Naoroji by depicting him on postage stamps issued in 1963, 1997, and 2017, celebrating his legacy and contributions to India’s history.
Additional Resources
Books:
- “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India” by Dadabhai Naoroji.
- “Naoroji: Pioneer of Indian Nationalism” by Dinyar Patel.
Documentaries:
- “Dadabhai Naoroji Documentary” available on YouTube.
- “Quantifying the Drain of Wealth | Dadabhai Naoroji” by Live History India, also on YouTube.
- A short film on the life and works of Dadabhai Naoroji by Sanrachna Foundation.
Museums:
- The Florence Nightingale Museum in London features a display on Dadabhai Naoroji.
- For those interested in a deeper dive into his life and impact, the Wikipedia page on Dadabhai Naoroji provides extensive information and references to other resources.
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