Understanding "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India"

The question asks about the author of the very influential book titled "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India". This book is a significant piece of work in understanding the economic critique of British rule in India.

Identifying the Author

The book "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India" was written by Dadabhai Naoroji. He was a prominent Indian political leader, merchant, scholar, and writer who served as a Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom House of Commons between 1892 and 1895. He is also known as the "Grand Old Man of India".

Significance of the Book

In this book, Dadabhai Naoroji put forward his famous Drain of Wealth theory. He meticulously calculated how wealth was being drained from India to Britain under colonial rule. This theory argued that the economic policies of the British were the primary cause of poverty in India, contradicting the British claim that their rule was beneficial for India. The book provided detailed statistics and arguments to support his claims, making a strong case against the economic exploitation by the British.

Examining Other Options

• Gopal Krishna Gokhale: A key leader in the Indian independence movement, known for his moderate approach and his work with the Indian National Congress. While he was a contemporary and respected figure, he did not write this specific book.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A prominent leader of the Indian independence movement, known for his more radical approach. He was a strong advocate for Swaraj (self-rule). Although a major nationalist figure, this book was not written by him.
• M. G. Ranade (Mahadev Govind Ranade): A distinguished Indian scholar, social reformer, and one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress. He was a mentor to Gopal Krishna Gokhale. While he contributed significantly to Indian political and economic thought, "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India" is attributed to Dadabhai Naoroji.

Based on historical facts, the author of "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India" is unequivocally Dadabhai Naoroji.

Revision Table: Key Figures and Their Contributions

Additional Information: The Drain of Wealth Theory

The Drain of Wealth theory, extensively discussed in "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India" by Dadabhai Naoroji, was a major economic critique of British imperialism. The theory argued that India's wealth was being systematically transferred to Britain through various means, such as:

• Salaries and pensions of British officials and military personnel serving in India.
• Profits of British companies operating in India.
• Interest payments on loans taken by the British Indian government.
• Expenditure on wars fought by Britain outside India, charged to the Indian treasury.
• Payments for imports from Britain.

Naoroji argued that this continuous drain impoverished India, hindering its economic development and causing widespread poverty and famines. The book "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India" provided the statistical evidence and detailed arguments that made the Drain theory a central point of economic debate during the Indian nationalist movement.