Evaluate the role of Drain Theory by Dadabhai Naoroji in stimulating national feeling among the Indian masses.

Dadabhai Naroji, a distinguished Indian economist, put forward his DRAIN THEORY, wherein he talked about the drain of wealth from India, into England. He said that India was poor and starving because India’s wealth was being sucked into Bitain by factors like:

1. Export of India raw materials such as cotton, sugarcane, tea etc. to Britain to fuel their industries

2. Massive amounts of salaries and pensions given to British officers in India, which was sent home

3. Profit gained by selling British produced goods in Indian markets.

4. Taxes collected from Indians.

This theory stimulated nationalist fervour and an anti-British attitude among various sections of the societies. They could see how Britain was forcing its control on Indian produce and markets, and trying to make India a production ground of raw materials. This was seen as negative, and led to the sentiment of ECONOMIC NATIONALISM.