Dadabhai Naoroji: Birth Anniversary of the Grand Old Man of India
Dadabhai Naoroji birth anniversary is celebrated on September 4th every year. Read on for the Dadabhai Naoroji biography, his famous work, and key contributions.
Deeksha Dixit4 Sept, 2024
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Dadabhai Naoroji: This year we are celebrating the 199th birth anniversary of Dadabhai Naoroji, one of India's most respected freedom fighters. He was a pioneering nationalist, educator, and politician, who devoted his entire life to the service of the nation.
Fondly called the "Grand Old Man of India," Dadabhai Naoroji played a vital role in shaping India's struggle for independence. He worked tirelessly to expose the economic exploitation of India under British rule and became the first Indian to serve in the British Parliament. On this special day, we honor his legacy and reflect on the impact he had on India's freedom movement.Dadabhai Naoroji Birth Anniversary 2024
The
199th birth anniversary
of Dadabhai Naoroji falls on September 4, 2024. Born in 1825 in Navsari district in Gujarat, Dadabhai Naoroji became a pioneer in the fight against British colonialism.
Dadabhai Naoroji Birth Anniversary 2024 is a time for Indians to remember his efforts in raising awareness about the economic exploitation of India by the British. Schools, colleges, and various organizations across India hold events to celebrate his life and contributions.
Biography of Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji was born on September 4, 1825, to Naoroji Palanji Dordi and Manekbai. He belonged to a Parsi family and showed great intelligence from an early age. He attended Elphinstone College in Bombay (now Mumbai), where he later became a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy. Here is the biography of Dadabhai Naoroji:| Dadabhai Naoroji Biography | |
| Particular | Details |
| Full Name | Dadabhai Naoroji Dordi |
| Birth Date | September 4, 1825 |
| Birthplace | Navsari, Gujarat |
| Education | Elphinstone College, Bombay |
| Spouse | Gulbai Shroff (married around 1836) |
| Notable Title | Grand Old Man of India |
| Achievements |
|
| Organizations Founded |
|
| Died | June 30, 1917 |
| Famous Work | "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India" (1901) |
| Legacy | Pioneer of Indian nationalism and economic justice |
Interesting Facts About Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji's life is filled with remarkable achievements that highlight his significance in Indian history. As a pioneering figure in modern Indian history, he not only influenced political thought but also made substantial contributions to social reform. Here are some interesting facts about Dadabhai Naoroji, one of the prominent moderate phase leaders of Indian nationalism.- Unofficial Ambassador of India : Dadabhai Naoroji is often called the "Unofficial Ambassador of India" because he represented India's interests in Britain.
- First Indian in British Parliament: He became the first Indian to win a seat in the British Parliament in 1892, representing Finsbury Central.
- Three-time President of Indian National Congress: Dadabhai Naoroji served as the president of the Indian National Congress (INC) three times, in 1886, 1893, and 1906.
- Prime Minister of Baroda : Before moving to Britain, he served as the Diwan or Prime Minister of Baroda (1874) and was also a member of the Bombay Legislature.
- Founding Member of Indian National Congress : Naoroji was one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress in 1885, along with A.O. Hume, Dinshaw Wacha, W.C. Bonnerjee, Badruddin Tyabji, and others.
- First Indian to Serve on a Royal Commission: In 1895 Dadabhai Naoroji became the first Indian to first Indian to serve in a Royal Commission (Welby Commission).
Key Contributions of Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji made significant contributions to India's freedom movement and social reforms. He was an early nationalist who played a crucial role in shaping the patriotic wave during the colonial period. Here are some of the key contributions of Dadabhai Naoroji are:- Political Leadership: He is credited with being a prominent voice for Indian interests. He was a co-founder of the INC and founder of the East India Association. As MP in the British Parliament, he presented the Indian perspective to the British public.
- Drain of Wealth Theory : Dadabhai Naoroji is best known for his "Drain of Wealth" theory. He exposed British colonial policies that were systematically draining India's wealth to Britain by taking away a large portion of the country's resources and profits.
- Voice for Economic Reforms: He advocated for economic reforms that would benefit Indians, including better wages for Indian workers and fair trade policies.
- Social Reforms : Dadabhai Naoroji worked to improve education in India and promoted the idea that Indians should have a greater role in their own governance. He also advocated for women's rights and education.
Drain of Wealth Theory By Dadabhai Naoroji
The "Drain of Wealth" theory by Dadabhai Naoroji became a key argument against British colonialism. He first expressed this concept in his paper titled "England’s Debt to India, " presented at the East India Association meeting in London in 1867. In his theory, he argued that the British were systematically draining India's wealth by transferring a significant portion of it to Britain, which led to severe impoverishment in India. Dadabhai Naoroji calculated that nearly one-fourth of India's wealth was being taken away annually. He pointed out that this drain was the main reason for India's poverty and underdevelopment during British rule. Dadabhai Naoroji’s work on this subject gained widespread recognition and became a powerful tool for anti-imperialistic sentiments across India.Famous Books by Dadabhai Naoroji
It is a known fact that Dadabhai Naoroji was also an accomplished author. He wrote several books and papers to spread his ideas and expose the wrongdoings of British rule. His books played an important role in educating Indians about the economic exploitation of India. Here are some of his famous works:| Dadabhai Naoroji Books | ||
| Title | Year | Description |
| Poverty and Un-British Rule in India | 1901 | An analysis of the economic exploitation of India under British rule. |
| The Wants and Means of India | 1876 | An exploration of India's economic needs and the means to achieve them. |
| Essays, Speeches, Addresses and Writings (1871-1900) | 1901 | A collection of Naoroji's writings that reflect his thoughts on various social and political issues. |
| The Parsee Religion | 1884 | A detailed account of the beliefs and practices of the Parsi community. |
| Related Article | |
| World Elephant Day 2024 | National Sports Day 2024 |
| National Handloom Day 2024 | Quit India Movement Day 2024 |
| International Youth Day 2024 | International Literacy Day |
Dadabhai Naoroji Birth Anniversary FAQs
When is Dadabhai Naoroji's birth anniversary?
Dadabhai Naoroji's birth anniversary is on September 4th. In 2024, we are celebrating his 199th birth anniversary.
What is Dadabhai Naoroji famous for?
Dadabhai Naoroji is famous for his "Drain of Wealth" theory and for being the first Indian elected to the British Parliament. He is also known as the "Grand Old Man of India."
Which organization was founded by Dadabhai Naoroji?
Dadabhai Naoroji founded the East India Association in 1867 which played a key role in promoting Indian interests in Britain.
Who proposed the drain theory of wealth?
The drain theory of wealth was proposed by Dadabhai Naoroji, it highlighted the economic exploitation of India by the British.
Who was the first Indian in the British Parliament?
Dadabhai Naoroji was the first Indian in the British Parliament and he represented the Finsbury Central constituency in 1892.
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