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Course: World History Project - 1750 to the Present > Unit 5

Lesson 4: Responses to Colonialism | 5.3
Arts and humanities
World History Project - 1750 to the Present
Imperialism, Colonialism, and Responses
Responses to Colonialism | 5.3
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READ: Dadabhai Naoroji (Graphic Biography)

Google Classroom
Dadabhai Naoroji was born in India under British Colonial rule. As a successful businessman and political leader, he helped paved the way for eventual Indian independence.
The Graphic Biography below uses “Three Close Reads”. If you want to learn more about this strategy, click here.

First read: skimming for gist

This will be your quickest read. It should help you get the general idea of what the graphic biography will be about. Pay attention to the title, headings, images, and layout. Ask yourself: what is this graphic biography going to be about?

Second read: understanding content

For this reading, you should be looking for unfamiliar vocabulary words, the major claim and key supporting details, and analysis and evidence. You should also spend some time looking at the images and the way in which the page is designed.
By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:
  1. When and where was Dadabhai Naoroji born?
  2. According to the biography, what did Dadabhai do in 1855?What was he doing in the 1870s?
  3. What ‘first’ did Dadabhaiachieve in 1892? What issues did he use his new power to support?
  4. What does the biography suggest Dadabhai did in his life that gave him the power to stand up for the rights of Indian people?
  5. How does the artwork show us the differences between Dadabhai’s two contrasting worlds?

Third read: evaluating and corroborating

In this read, you should use the graphic biography as evidence to support, extend, or challenge claims made in the course.
At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:
  1. What evidence does Dadabhai Naoroji’s provide to help you to evaluate both the way that empires controlled people’s lives? What does it tell you about the possibilities of challenging that control? How does that evidence support, extend, or challenge what you have learned about empire in this period?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to read! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished reading.

Dadabhai Naoroji (Graphic Biography)

Dadabhai Naoroji was born in India under British Colonial rule. As a successful businessman and political leader, he helped paved the way for eventual Indian independence.
Download the Graphic Biography PDF here or click on the image above.

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