Born: 4th September 1825
Died: 30th June 1917
Dadabhai Naoroji was born on 4th September 1825, Bombay in a Parsi family. Naoroji obtained the Clare Scholarship at the Elphinstone College for his outstanding performance. In 1845, after completing the graduation he became the first Indian to be appointed as a Professor at Elphinstone where he took special classes which were held for the spread of women’s education. On 27th June 1855, Naoroji left for London where he joined the business as a partner in Cama & Co., which was the first Indian company to be established in London. After four years he started his own firm Naoroji & Co. Later as a member of several businesses, he became a Professor of Gujarati at University College London(1856-65). Dadabhai Naoroji was the first Indian who was elected to the Parliament in Britain. He had also worked as a founder/editor of the journal “Rast Goftar”, Bombay (1851). The London Zoroastrian Association was founded by Naoroji in 1861. He was also the founding member of the East India Association and London Indian Society and remained active in promoting Indian rights. Naoroji was an economist and upholder of the ‘drain theory, building up a comprehensive economic evaluation of British imperialism in India. He also established links with Irish MPs and was also one of the founders of the Indian National Congress, Bombay (1885). In 1892, Naoroji competed for the seat of Central Finsbury, campaigning on Gladstone’s platform of Liberalism, and was successfully elected with a majority of five. Unfortunately, in the General Election of 1895, he lost his seat. In 1906, Naoroji again stood as a candidate at Lambeth North but was unsuccessful. Naoroji left England in 1907, to retire at Versova, Bombay, where he died in 1917.
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Remembering the great #dadabhainaoroji on his birth anniversary.
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He became the first Indian to be appointed as a Professor at Elphinstone. In 1855, Naoroji joined as a business partner in Cama & Co. and later started his own firm Naoroji & Co. Dadabhai Naoroji was the first Indian who was elected to the Parliament in Britain.
