UPSC Prelims 2015 · GS Paper I
Question 20: History and Culture
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.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
All three were economic critics of colonial rule. Dadabhai Naoroji propounded the drain of wealth theory in Poverty and Un-British Rule in India. R. C. Dutt wrote The Economic History of India and blamed British policy for impoverishing India. G. Subramania Iyer, a founder of The Hindu, also criticised British economic policy. Remember the early nationalists' economic critique.
- 1. Naoroji put forward the drain of wealth theory.
- 2. G. Subramania Iyer, founder of The Hindu, criticised British economic policy.
- 3. R. C. Dutt wrote The Economic History of India.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Naoroji put forward the drain of wealth theory.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a) and (b) go: each of them leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: R. C. Dutt wrote The Economic History of India.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statement 2.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incomplete: Subramania Iyer and R. C. Dutt also criticised colonial economics.
- (b) Incomplete: R. C. Dutt is also part of the group.
- (c) Incomplete: Dadabhai Naoroji was the main author of the drain theory.
- (d) Correct: all three were economic critics of colonialism.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.