Dadabhai Naoroji who is also known as the "Grand Old Man of India" and "Unofficial Ambassador of India" was an Indian political leader, merchant, scholar and writer who was a Liberal Party Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom House of Commons between 1892 and 1895.
Naoroji is renowned for his work in the Indian National Congress, of which he was one of the founding members and thrice the elected president in 1886, 1893, and 1906.
On the anniversary of his death, here are some must-know facts about Dadabhai Naoroji
1. Naoroji was born on September 4, 1825, in the Navsari area of the Bombay Presidency, British India (now in Gujarat). He belonged to a Gujarati-speaking Parsi Zoroastrian family.
2. After receiving his education at Elphinstone Institute School, he was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at the Elphinstone College of Bombay. This made him the first Indian to hold such an academic position.
3. In 1855, he travelled to London to become a partner in the Cama & Co. However, it didn't last long as within three years, he resigned stating ethical grounds.
4. In 1859, he established his own cotton trading company, Dadabhai Naoroji & Co.
5. Later, Naoroji became the Professor of Gujarati at University College London.
6. In 1865, Naoroji directed and launched the London Indian Society, the purpose of which was to discuss Indian political, social and literary subjects.
7. In 1867 he also helped to establish the East India Association, one of the predecessor organisations of the Indian National Congress with the aim of putting across the Indian point of view before the British public. This Association soon won the support of eminent Englishmen and was able to exercise considerable influence in the British parliament.
8. Naoroji was married to Gulbai at the age of eleven.
9. He passed away in Bombay on 30 June 1917 at the age of 91.
10. Dadabhai Naoroji is still remembered by Indians and also the people of London for his contributions. He is often dubbed as India's "unofficial ambassador" for fighting for the country during his stay in England.
