Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India? 1. Dadabhai Naoroji 2. G. Subramania Iyer 3. R. C. Dutt Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• The early nationalists developed an economic critique of British rule.
• Dadabhai Naoroji (1) formulated the 'drain theory' in 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India' (1901); G. Subramania Iyer (2), founder of The Hindu and Swadesamitran, wrote 'Some Economic Aspects of British Rule in India' (1903); R.C. Dutt (3) wrote 'The Economic History of India' (1901–03) blaming land revenue and deindustrialisation.
• Hence 1, 2 and 3, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Iyer and Dutt were also economic critics.
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- R.C. Dutt was also an economic critic.
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- Naoroji was the foremost economic critic.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.