The Drain Theory, highlighting economic exploitation by the British, was popularised by:

The Correct answer is Dadabhai Naoroji.

Key Points

• Dadabhai Naoroji is known as the Grand Old Man of India.
• He formulated and popularized the Drain of Wealth Theory to explain how the British were draining India's resources and wealth.
• This theory was explained in his book, "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India", published in 1901.
• The Drain Theory highlighted the economic exploitation of India under British rule, where wealth and resources were systematically transferred from India to Britain.
• He argued that a significant portion of India's revenue was used for purposes that did not benefit India, such as administrative expenses, military costs, and profits of British companies.
• Dadabhai Naoroji was also the first Indian to be elected to the British Parliament, where he raised issues related to India's economic exploitation.
• He played a crucial role in the early phase of the Indian National Congress and was its president three times.
• His work laid the foundation for the economic critique of British imperialism and became a key ideological tool for India's freedom movement.

 Additional Information

• Mahatma Gandhi
  • Mahatma Gandhi was an influential leader of the Indian freedom movement and the proponent of non-violence and truth as tools for political and social change.
  • He led various movements such as the Dandi March and Quit India Movement, but he was not directly associated with the Drain Theory.
  • His focus was more on socio-political reforms and independence rather than economic theories.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak
  • Bal Gangadhar Tilak is famously known as the Father of Indian Unrest.
  • He was an ardent nationalist and emphasized the importance of Swaraj or self-rule for India.
  • While he was a strong critic of British policies, he did not specifically formulate or popularize the Drain Theory.
• Lala Lajpat Rai
  • Lala Lajpat Rai, also known as the Punjab Kesari, was an important leader in the Indian independence movement.
  • He was a key figure in the extremist faction of the Indian National Congress and protested against British rule through movements like the Simon Commission boycott.
  • Although he addressed economic issues, the Drain Theory is not primarily associated with him.