Question

The early nationalists provided the firm foundation to the 20^th century freedom movement through:
1. Politics of petitions 
2. Constitutional means
3. Agitational way
4. Economic critique of colonialism

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Economic critique of colonialism

The correct answer is the Economic critique of colonialism.

• The early leaders of the congress, the moderates, Dadabhai Nauroji, RC Dutt, GV Joshi, G Subramanium Iyer, GK Gokhale, PC Ray were the first to develop an economic critique of colonialism. This was the most important contribution to the development of the national movement in India.
• Justice MG Ranade was his contemporary and taught an entire generation of Indians the importance of industrial development.
• RC Dutt examined minutely the entire economic impact of colonial rule from 1757.

• Dadabhai Nauroji - First economist who studies Dadabhai Nauroji was the most prominent.
  • He was known as the grand old man of India.
  • He spent his entire life and wealth in forming a national movement.
  • He was the first Indian to become a member of the British House of Commons.
  • He popularized the drain theory in his book “Poverty and un-British Rule in India”.
  • He also founded the Bombay Association in 1852 and East Indian Association.