ABSTRACT
Dadabhai Naoroji, popularly known as the “Grand Old Man of India”, may be considered as the greatest nationalist and the foremost freedom fighter of India. This chapter examines Naoroji’s ideas on the politics of representation popular with the moderate group within the Indian National Congress. His socio-economic theory, that is, drain of wealth, and the moderate ideas of constitutional, administrative, and economic reforms under British colonial rule in India shift from the politics of representation to a more active politics and demand full freedom for India, as well as a reappraisal of Naoroji’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle. Initially, Naoroji’s pen was his sword, but later, as he was disillusioned with the moderates’ strategies of “petitioning and writing” to the British masters to address colonial injustices towards Indians, he moved towards a more active political struggle, endorsing the radicals’ demand for swaraj (self-rule) for the people of India. Naoroji was a pioneer in many fields in colonial India. He was not only the first Asian to become a member of the British Parliament but also the first Indian to draw the attention of the British common man towards the injustices being committed by the British colonial rulers in India. His socio-economic and political views laid the foundation for a sustained struggle for freedom from the exploitative system, which on the surface appeared to be based on progressive ideas, pursued by so many freedom fighters coming after him. The theory of moral and material drain became the pivotal point to prove the injustices and extreme greed of the colonial rule and the reasons for widespread poverty in India. As Naoroji realised that mere intellectual exercise was not enough to achieve justice for the Indian masses, he gradually shifted from economic nationalism to political nationalism and played a prominent role in the Indian freedom struggle which strengthened the Indian National Congress.
