Who is popularly known as the "Grand Old Man of India"?
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option B —
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
About Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji was a towering figure in the Indian independence movement and a pioneer in Indian economics. He is celebrated for several "firsts" and major intellectual contributions:
Economic Critique: He authored the seminal work Poverty and Un-British Rule in India, where he formulated the "Drain of Wealth" theory. He argued that Britain was systematically siphoning off India's resources, leading to widespread poverty.
Political Leadership: He was one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress (INC) and served as its President three times (1886, 1893, and 1906).
International Presence: In 1892, he became the first Indian to be elected to the British House of Commons, representing the Liberal Party for Central Finsbury.
The Demand for Swaraj: It was under his presidency in the 1906 Calcutta session that the Congress first formally adopted the goal of "Swaraj" (Self-rule).
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
