Model Question and Answers for APSC | Discuss the contribution of Dadabhai Naoroji to the Indian national movement.

Ans : Dadabhai Naoroji, popularly known as the “Grand Old Man of India”, was an Indian nationalist and a critic of British economic policy in India. He was instrumental in laying the foundations of the national movement in India.
Establishment of key organizations:
1. The ‘London Indian Society’ in 1865

2. The ‘East India Association’ in 1867
3. Dadabhai Naoroji also formed the Bombay Presidency Association, which along with the Indian National Conference became the precursor of the Indian National Congress
4. Founded Gyan Prasarak Mandali for women education.
Leadership role to the freedom movement
1. Dadabhai Naoroji put forward the 'drain of wealth' theory in which he stated that the Britain was completely draining India, earlier demand of congress recognize drain of wealth
2. He was the president of Congress on three different occasions. Here he also advocated for ‘Swaraj’
3. He forged alliances with the intellectuals and political figures in London for the cause of Indian reform

4. He became the first Asian man to be elected to British Parliament in 1892, where he managed to highlight the issues and plight of the Indians.
5. He took special care to politically influence the British Indian community and impart in them a nationalist consciousness
6. Dadabhai Naoroji was also a key figure in the Indian Home Rule Movement that later manifested as the Non Cooperation Movement.

The ‘Grand Old Man of India’ was also a mentor to Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi. Thus his contribution to the Indian national movement outlives his life.