Q. The theory of economic drain of India during British imperialism was propounded by
(a) M. K. Gandhi
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Dadabhai Naoroji
(d) R. C. Dutt.
Ans: (c) Dadabhai Naoroji
Explanation: The theory of economic drain of India during British imperialism was propounded by (c) Dadabhai Naoroji.
Dadabhai Naoroji, also known as the “Grand Old Man of India,” was an Indian nationalist leader, social reformer, and scholar. He played a significant role in the Indian National Congress and was one of the early leaders of the Indian independence movement.
Naoroji is best known for his theory of the economic drain of India, which he presented in his book “Poverty and Un-British Rule in India” published in 1901. In this work, Naoroji argued that British colonial rule in India had resulted in the systematic transfer of wealth from India to Britain, leading to the impoverishment of the Indian economy and its people.
According to Naoroji’s theory, India’s wealth was being drained through various means such as the heavy taxation imposed by the British, the exploitative economic policies, and the export of raw materials from India to fuel British industries. He highlighted the need for economic self-reliance and called for economic reforms that would benefit the Indian population.
While Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru played important roles in the Indian independence movement, the theory of economic drain was specifically propounded by Dadabhai Naoroji.
Therefore, the correct answer is (c) Dadabhai Naoroji.
