Archive · 13 Dec 2025
House of Lords Honors Dadabhai Naoroji's 200th Birthday
The House of Lords in London had a special event to celebrate the 200th birthday of Dadabhai Naoroji.
He was a very important leader from India who became the first Indian person to be elected to the British Parliament a long time ago.
Naoroji was born in Mumbai and did many things like being a priest, a teacher, and a businessman before he got into politics.
He also came up with a theory called the 'drain theory' that showed how the British Empire was hurting India's economy.
The event was hosted by Lord Karan Bilimoria, who is also from the Parsi community like Naoroji.
The Indian High Commissioner and a former UK minister also talked about how Naoroji's work and life were very important.
There was even an exhibition showing the big moments in his life.
House of Lords hosted a reception for Dadabhai Naoroji's 200th birth anniversary.
Naoroji was the first Indian elected to the British Parliament in 1892.
He was a multifaceted leader: priest, academic, businessman, and politician.
Naoroji's 'drain theory' highlighted the economic impact of British colonial rule.
The event was postponed from September due to strike action but held later in the year.
- Who
- Dadabhai Naoroji, a nationalist leader and first Indian elected to British Parliament
- What
- A bicentenary commemoration event at the House of Lords
- When
- Postponed from September, held in 2023
- Where
- House of Lords, London, UK
- Why
- To honor Naoroji's life, legacy, and contributions
- Name
- Dadabhai Naoroji
- Birth
- September 1825 in Mumbai, India
- Death
- June 1917 in Mumbai, India
- Achievement
- First Indian elected to British Parliament
- Legacy
- Pioneer of 'drain theory' on colonial economic impact
- Event
- Bicentenary commemoration at House of Lords
- Host
- Lord Karan Bilimoria
- Significance
- Highlighted Naoroji's multifaceted contributions