UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 66 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Dadabhai Naoroji Drain Theory
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectModern History
- TopicEarly National Movement (1885–1905)
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
Consider the following statements:
The most effective contribution made by Dadabhai Naoroji to the cause of Indian National Movement was that he
1. Exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British.
2. Interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians.
3. Stressed the need for eradication of all the social evils before anything else.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: A. 1 only
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1 only
Analysis
Dadabhai Naoroji’s most effective contribution to Indian nationalism was his economic critique of British rule.
He showed that British rule was causing systematic economic exploitation of India.
Statement by statement
1. He exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British — Correct
This was Dadabhai Naoroji’s most important contribution.
Through his Drain of Wealth theory, he argued that India’s wealth was being transferred to Britain through salaries, pensions, Home Charges, military expenses and trade-related mechanisms.
2. He interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians — Incorrect
This was not Naoroji’s main contribution.
This role is more associated with socio-religious reformers like Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Swami Vivekananda, who used Indian traditions and texts to revive cultural confidence.
3. He stressed the need for eradication of all social evils before anything else — Incorrect
Naoroji did not prioritise social reform before political and economic issues.
This approach was more associated with social reformers such as M.G. Ranade and later B.R. Ambedkar.
Extra UPSC info
* Dadabhai Naoroji is known as the Grand Old Man of India.
* His famous work was Poverty and Un-British Rule in India.
* He propounded the Drain of Wealth theory.
* He founded the East India Association in London in 1866.
* He was the first Indian elected to the British House of Commons in 1892.
* He used the word Swaraj from the Congress platform at the 1906 Calcutta Session.
* Other economic critics of colonial rule included R.C. Dutt and M.G. Ranade.
How to crack it
Dadabhai Naoroji’s key contribution was exposing the economic drain of India under British rule, not religious revival or social reform first.