Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India?

1. Dadabhai Naoroji
2. G. Subramania Iyer
3. R. C. Dutt

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct option is 1, 2 and 3.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, early Indian nationalists developed a strong economic critique of British colonial rule in India. They analyzed how British policies were leading to the impoverishment of India and the drain of its resources. The key contributions of the individuals mentioned are as follows:

1. Dadabhai Naoroji: Known as the "Grand Old Man of India," he was a pioneer in analyzing the economic impact of British rule. He formulated the famous "Drain of Wealth" theory, demonstrating how Indian wealth and resources were systematically transferred to Britain without any equivalent economic return. His path-breaking book, Poverty and Un-British Rule in India, brought this economic exploitation to the forefront of national consciousness.

2. G. Subramania Iyer: He was a prominent journalist, social reformer, and co-founder of the influential newspaper The Hindu as well as the Tamil daily Swadesamitran. Through his insightful writings and speeches, he critically analyzed and exposed the devastating economic policies of the British government, particularly highlighting the plight of Indian peasants and artisans.

3. R. C. Dutt: Romesh Chunder Dutt, a retired Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer, wrote the monumental work The Economic History of India. In this book, he meticulously documented the economic consequences of British administration, pointing out how heavy land revenue assessments, trade policies, and the destruction of traditional Indian handicraft industries contributed to frequent famines and widespread poverty.

Therefore, all three individuals—Dadabhai Naoroji, G. Subramania Iyer, and R. C. Dutt—were key economic critics of British colonialism in India.