Romesh Chandra Dutt is considered a national leader of the pre-Gandhian era and was a contemporary of Dadabhai Naoroji and Justice Ranade. Better known as R.C Dutt, he was a civil servant, a political and economic thinker and writer, a Bengali Literature personality, he is renowned for both his professional and literary careers. This article will deal with the life, achievements, and contributions of Romesh Chandra Dutt, with added stress to the socio-political facet of his life.

Romesh Chandra Dutt

Romesh Chandra Dutt - Background

• Sir Romesh Chunder Dutt was born in Calcutta on August 13, 1848.
• He had his early education in Bengali schools in Calcutta and in the districts around. He was born into a family already famous for its academic and literary attainments.
• In 1866, Dutt completed the University of Calcutta's First Arts examination from Presidency College, coming second in order of merit and earning a scholarship.
• He traveled to England in 1868, accompanied by Surendranath Banerjea and Behari Lal Gupta, while still a B.A. student and qualified for the Indian Civil Service.
• Dutt began an illustrious career in the Indian Civil Service and in Indian politics in the year 1871, as the Assistant Magistrate of Alipore to start off.
• Towards the end of his career, he was the Division Commissioner of Orissa, the highest position reached by any Indian ever.
• His service as a civil servant was praised by all levels of government, including Lieutenant Governors and Governors-General.
• While serving as the Commissioner of Orissa, he retired from the Indian Civil Service in 1897 at the relatively young age of 49.
• After his retirement, he was able to devote his time entirely to public activities and writing, which became a more fruitful portion of his career.

Romesh Chandra Dutt - Contribution & Achievements

Romesh Chandra Dutt did not engage in radical politics; instead, he used his authority and position to reap benefits for his country through diplomacy, writing, and constant public opinion creation.

Literary Career

• Dutt was an avid reader and a passionate writer. Even while busy with responsibilities at the civil services, he found time to engage with people through writing.
• Some of his famous works are ‘Three Years In Europe' (1872), a history of Bengali literature titled ‘Bengali Literature’ etc.
• He also penned four historical novels, 'Banga Bijeta,' 'Madhabi Kankan,' 'Rajput Jiban Sandha,' and 'Maharastra Prabhat,' all of which were published in 1879. 'Samaj' (1885) and 'Sangsar' (1886) are two social novels he wrote.
• His political publications mainly dealt with the impoverished economic condition of India due to British rule.
• He wrote about the pathetic situation of agriculture, peasants, high revenue rates, deindustrialization, and the frequent occurrence of famines.
• His first book on the economic problems of the cultivators, 'Peasantry of Bengal,' was published in 1875; the ideas developed in this book were expanded fully in 'Famines in India,' published in 1900.
  • In it, he strongly argued against the over-assessment of land revenue and a plea for the Permanent Settlement to be extended to the Ryotwari area, as well as a permanent fixation of rents payable by the Ryots to the intermediaries.
• Even though he believed that British rule in India was beneficial to the country, his writings had enough influence to improve the situation.
• Few of his such works are ‘England and India' (1897), ‘Famines in India' (1900), and others. The most famous of his works in this series is ‘The Economic History’.

Political Career

• Dutt was appointed a lecturer in Indian History at the University of London shortly after his retirement from the Civil Service.
• In 1899, he was elected President of the Indian National Congress, and the expanding politically aware educated populace viewed him as one of their most effective spokespersons.
• R.C Dutt gained a reputation as an excellent orator and a man who was not hesitant to speak his own opinions even as a Civil Servant.
• His viewpoints on the reasons for poverty in India and administrative issues, such as the contentious Ilbert Bill, were not always in line with official thought.
• In 1904 he served as Revenue Minister for the State of Baroda for three years, while he was still with the University of London, and he returned again in 1908 as a member of the Decentralization Commission.

Conclusion

RC Dutt passed away in 1909, at the age of 61, just when a new period of productive labor appeared to be on the horizon. As a true Nationalist, Dutt believed that “there are two sides to every question, and it is absolutely necessary for the purposes of good government and of just administration that not only the official view but the people's view on every question should be represented and heard”. He was almost everything the emerging Indian intelligentsia hoped to be as a civil servant, a spokesman for the new generation of educated Indians, a liberal political leader, a perceptive student of economic concerns, a scholarly historian, and a creative writer.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following books was written by Romesh Chandra Dutt?

A) The Poverty and Un-British Rule in India
B) The Economic History of India
C) India Wins Freedom
D) Hind Swaraj

2. In which phase of the Indian National Congress did Romesh Chandra Dutt play a significant role?

A) Extremist Phase
B) Moderate Phase
C) Gandhian Phase
D) Revolutionary Phase

3. What was the central theme of Romesh Chandra Dutt's economic critique?

A) Military Expansion
B) Religious Reforms
C) Drain of Wealth
D) Land Reforms

4. What method did Romesh Chandra Dutt advocate for achieving political reforms in India?

A) Violent Revolution
B) Civil Disobedience
C) Constitutional Methods
D) Armed Struggle

5. What is Romesh Chandra Dutt's contribution to the literature of ancient India?

A) He translated the Vedas
B) He authored Mahabharata
C) He translated ancient Sanskrit texts
D) He wrote commentaries on Upanishads

GS Mains Questions and Answers

Q1: Analyze Romesh Chandra Dutt's contributions to Indian economic nationalism during British rule.

Answer: Romesh Chandra Dutt played a critical role in shaping Indian economic nationalism during British colonial rule. His books, especially "The Economic History of India," systematically analyzed the detrimental impact of British economic policies on India's economy. He highlighted the concept of 'Drain of Wealth,' which explained how British exploitation led to the transfer of Indian resources to Britain, impoverishing India. Dutt’s advocacy for economic reforms and his critique of British policies resonated with the emerging nationalist movement, influencing future leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji. His works continue to be regarded as foundational in understanding colonial economic exploitation.

Q2: Discuss the moderate approach of Romesh Chandra Dutt in the Indian freedom struggle and its significance.

Answer: Romesh Chandra Dutt was one of the prominent leaders of the moderate phase of the Indian National Congress. He believed in achieving self-governance through constitutional means, such as petitions, debates, and negotiations with the British government. This approach was rooted in the belief that the British could be persuaded to introduce reforms for Indian welfare. Dutt's moderate stance helped lay the groundwork for a more organized and systematic form of political activism, creating space for dialogue between the colonial administration and Indian leaders. Though later replaced by more radical methods, the moderate phase was crucial in providing the initial framework for India's political awakening.

Q3: Evaluate Romesh Chandra Dutt's literary contributions and their impact on India's cultural and national identity.

Answer: Romesh Chandra Dutt made significant literary contributions through his translations of ancient Sanskrit texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. By translating these works into English, Dutt aimed to bring India’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience, challenging Western narratives that portrayed India as culturally inferior. His works were part of a broader movement to revive pride in India’s historical achievements and promote a sense of national identity. This cultural revival was important for the Indian nationalist movement, as it emphasized the country’s ancient greatness and provided intellectual support for the demand for independence from British rule.

Previous Year Questions on Romesh Chandra Dutt

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: Romesh Chandra Dutt was associated with which of the following economic critiques during British rule?

A) Industrialization of India
B) Drain of Wealth
C) Permanent Settlement
D) Land Reforms

Answer: B

Explanation: Romesh Chandra Dutt is most closely associated with the 'Drain of Wealth' theory, which explained how British colonial policies resulted in the transfer of wealth from India to Britain, leaving the Indian economy impoverished.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Critically examine the role of Romesh Chandra Dutt in highlighting the economic impact of British rule in India.

Answer: Romesh Chandra Dutt played a vital role in critiquing the economic impact of British rule through his work, "The Economic History of India." He exposed how British policies drained India’s wealth, contributing to widespread poverty and underdevelopment. His analysis of colonial taxation, export policies, and resource exploitation provided a comprehensive picture of British economic exploitation. Dutt’s arguments strengthened the case for economic reforms and inspired future Indian nationalists to incorporate economic self-reliance into their political agenda. His work remains a foundational text in the study of colonial economic history.