| Summary/Abstract |
The grand old man of India, Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) stood as one
of the tallest nationalist leaders who aroused the feeling of economic
and political nationalism during the early freedom struggle. The chain
of personalities which carried India through its modern socio-economic
and political crises can be simply outlined as the main line of succession
begins with Dadabhai Naoroji and passes to Ranade, Gokhale and Gandhi
before India’s independence. However, the first figure in this chain,
rightly called by Professor Orlebar of Elphinston College, his teacher,
as “the Promise of India,” Dadabhai Naoroji was neither a Hindu nor a
Muslim but a Parsee, a highly progressive group of Indians. Regardless
of his cultural background, his appeal to all communities in India was
immense.
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