Who was called as the 'Grand old man of India'?

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Kolkata-2015

Explanation

Dadabhai Naoroji is affectionately known as the 'Grand Old Man of India' for his pioneering role as an early Indian political and social leader.
He was a Parsi intellectual, educator, and notably the first Asian to be elected as a British Member of Parliament.
His most significant contribution is the 'Drain Theory,' detailed in his book 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India,' which exposed the economic exploitation of India by Britain.
He was also a co-founder of the Indian National Congress and served as its president on three separate occasions.

Option B: G.K. Gokhale, while a prominent leader, is not known by the title 'Grand Old Man of India'.
Option C: Mahatma Gandhi is known by other titles, but not the 'Grand Old Man of India'.
Option D: Rabindranath Tagore was a celebrated poet and Nobel laureate, but this was not his title.

Visual 1: Table - A comparative table listing the historical figures from the options and their respective titles or descriptions (e.g., Dadabhai Naoroji - Grand Old Man of India; Mahatma Gandhi - Father of the Nation).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Titles of Famous Indian Personalities as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical question, knowledge of major historical figures is a common component of the General Knowledge section in nursing and other competitive examinations in India.
Understanding the context of India's freedom struggle and its leaders provides a foundation for comprehending the social and political factors that have shaped modern India, including its public health policies.
What if? If the question had asked for the author of 'Gitanjali', the correct answer would be Rabindranath Tagore, highlighting the need to associate key works with their creators.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from the General Knowledge (Indian History) domain.
First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'Grand old man of India'.
Next, access your memory of famous titles given to leaders of the Indian independence movement.
Evaluate each option provided: Dadabhai Naoroji, G.K. Gokhale, Mahatma Gandhi, and Rabindranath Tagore.
Try to eliminate incorrect options by recalling their specific titles. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi is the 'Father of the Nation' and Rabindranath Tagore is 'Gurudev'.
This process of elimination helps confirm that Dadabhai Naoroji is the correct personality associated with the title 'Grand Old Man of India'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Staff Nurse Kolkata-2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.