Which among the following statements with regards to Dadabhai Naoroji are correct 1. He was one of the founding members and the first president of the INC in 1885. 2. He was the first Indian to become a member of the British parliament. 3. He offered scathing criticism of the economic impact of British rule in his book “The Economic History of India”?

Option 2 : 2 only

The correct answer is Option 2, i.e 2 only.

• Dadabhai Naoroji, born in 1825 was a successful businessman who devoted his entire life to the national movement and soon came to be known as the ‘Grand Old Man of India’.
• He was one of the founding members of the INC and was elected as its 2nd President in 1886 was honored by being on the post thrice. Hence, statement 1 is NOT correct. Just by eliminating this option, you can arrive to the answer. 
• He organized the East Indian Association in London in 1866 and later organized its branches in prominent Indian cities.
• He was the first Indian to become a member of the British parliament. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• He was one of the proponents of “Drain Theory” and wrote a book “Poverty and Un-British rule in India” and offered a scathing criticism of the economic impact of British rule.
• “The Economic History of India” was written by one of his contemporaries Romesh Chandra Dutt. Hence, statement 3 is NOT correct.