The earlier leaders of congress were much conscious of the economic exploitation of the British and the resultant poverty faced by the Indians. They unveiled the British attempts to convert India as the market for selling British products, and a mere center for collecting raw material for the British industries.
They pointed out that life has become a burden when the production and distribution of consumer items like salt came under the control of the British government. Dadabai Naoroji was at the lead in pointing out such discrimination.
Through his studies, he publicized the facts On the deterioration of Indian economy under the British rule. His studies were based on empirical data. He proved that the drain of wealth was the root cause of poverty and starvation in India. His finding is known as ‘Drain Theory’.
