The first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) was planned for Poona, but due to a plague outbreak in Poona, the venue was changed to Bombay. With the cooperation of leading intellectuals of the time, A.O. Hume organized the first session of the Indian National Congress in December 1885 in Bombay. As a prelude to this, the Indian National Conference held two sessions in 1883 and 1885, with representatives from all major towns in India. W.C. Bonnerjee, a prominent lawyer by profession, was the first president of this session. Sessions were held at the end of each year in various cities across India, and it was described as a "memorandum" to present the Indian political viewpoint to the British Government. As a result, the memorandum was presented at each session. In this article, we will discuss the First Session Held in 1885 (Bombay) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

First Session of INC

First Session of INC - Features

• Although several other conferences were held in various parts of India during the latter half of December 1885, the most important conference held during this fortnight was the First Indian National Congress, which met from December 28 to 30, 1885.
• The location of the Congress was changed from Poona to Bombay due to a cholera outbreak in Poona.
• The Indian National Congress held its first session in the hall of Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay. It was a vibrant gathering.
• The total number of delegates who attended the session was approximately 72, but they fairly represented India's various regions.
• Dadabhai Naoroji (thrice president), Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, P.Anandacharlu, Surendranath Banerjea, Romesh Chandra Dutt, Ananda Mohan Bose, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale were some of the great Congress presidents during this early period.
• Mahadev Govind Ranade, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sisir Kumar Ghosh, Motilal Ghosh, Madan Mohan Malaviya, G. Subramania Aiyar, C. Vijayaraghavachariar, and Dinshaw E. Wacha were among the other prominent leaders.

Aims and Objectives of the Congress

• The first major goal of the Indian national movement's founders was to promote the process, to weld Indians into a nation, to create an Indian people.
  • It was common for colonial administrators and ideologues to claim that Indians could not be untied or freed because they were not a nation, but rather a geographical expression.
• To reach out to people of all faiths and alleviate the fears of minorities, a rule was established at the 1888 session that no resolution could be passed to which an overwhelming majority of Hindu or Muslim delegates objected.
  • In 1889, a minority clause was included in a resolution calling for legislative council reform.
• The Congress's subsequent major goal was to create a standard platform around which political workers from various parts of the country could gather and conduct their political activities, educating and mobilizing people on an all-India basis.
  • This was to be accomplished by taking over the grievances and fighting for the rights that all Indians shared in relation to the rulers.
• The president of the Congress, Dadabhai Naoroji, established a rule in its second session, stating that the National Congress must limit itself to issues in which the entire nation has direct participation.
  • For the same reason, Congress was not to consider social reform issues.
• It was necessary to build a common all-India national-political leadership as part of the basic goal of giving birth to a national movement. Nations and other groups can only take meaningful and effective political action if they are organized.
• As the first Congress President, W.C. Bannerji stated that one of the Congress's goals was to "eradicate all possible race, creed, or provincial prejudices among all lovers of our country."
• The primary goals of the first nationalist leaders were to lay the groundwork for a secular and democratic national movement, politicize and politically educate the people, to establish the movement's headquarters, form an all-India leadership group, and develop and spread an anti-colonial nationalist ideology.

Resolutions Passed in the First Session

The first session of Congress debated and approved nine resolutions.

• The establishment of a Royal Commission to investigate the functioning of the Indian administration.
• To abolish the Indian Council of Secretary of State for India.
• Expansion and reform of the Imperial and local Legislative Councils created by the Indian Councils Act of 1861.
• Establishing Legislative Councils for the Northwest Province, Oudh, and Punjab, as well as establishing a Standing Committee in the House of Commons to consider formal protests.
• Implementation of simultaneous Public Service Examinations in England and India, as well as an increase in the minimum age for candidates.
• Military spending should be reduced.
• Protest against the annexation of Upper Burma and its proposed merger with India.
• All resolutions were to be distributed to political organizations across the country for discussion and formulation of views.
• The Congress's next session was scheduled for December 28, 1886, in Calcutta.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that the Indian leaders were meeting for the first time on a political platform, their knowledge of public problems of the day appeared to be broad enough in many dimensions. In their speeches, they demonstrated exceptional knowledge of the administration. Though Muslims did not constitute a sizable proportion of the Congress, the Congress did not discriminate against adherents of any religion or sect. The Congress's second annual session was presided over by a Parsi, the third by a Muslim, and the fourth by a Christian. In its first session in 1885, the leaders of the Indian National Congress firmly believed in the British sense of justice and demanded political reforms.

FAQs

Q1: When and where did the first session of the Indian National Congress take place?

Q2: Who was the key figure behind the formation of the Indian National Congress?

Q3: What were the main objectives of the first session of the Indian National Congress?

Q4: Who was elected as the first president of the Indian National Congress?

Q5: What was the significance of the first session of the Indian National Congress?

MCQs

1. In which year did the first session of the Indian National Congress occur?

A) 1882

B) 1885

C) 1890

D) 1905

2. Who was the first president of the Indian National Congress?

A) Dadabhai Naoroji

B) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

C) Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee

D) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

3. What was one of the main aims of the Indian National Congress during its first session?

A) Establishing a separate nation

B) Promoting Indian culture only

C) Seeking constitutional reforms and greater representation

D) Advocating for the British Empire

4. Which prominent British official played a role in the formation of the Indian National Congress?

A) Lord Curzon

B) Allan Octavian Hume

C) Sir William Weddell

D) Lord Lytton

5. What impact did the first session of the Indian National Congress have on Indian politics?

A) It led to immediate independence.

B) It marked the beginning of organized political activities.

C) It dissolved all other political parties.

D) It had no significant impact.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Discuss the significance of the first session of the Indian National Congress in the context of Indian nationalism.

Answer: The first session of the Indian National Congress, held in December 1885, marked a pivotal moment in the rise of Indian nationalism. It brought together a diverse group of Indian leaders and intellectuals under a unified platform, fostering a sense of political consciousness among the Indian populace. The session was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it laid the groundwork for organized political activity, shifting the focus from sporadic regional movements to a national struggle for rights and representation. Secondly, the Congress advocated for constitutional reforms and greater Indian participation in governance, appealing to both the British authorities and the educated Indian middle class. This demand for representation was a crucial step towards self-governance. Furthermore, the Congress provided a platform for discussing social and economic issues, thereby integrating various facets of Indian society into the nationalist movement. The inclusion of leaders from different regions and backgrounds emphasized the need for unity among Indians, transcending regional and communal divisions. Overall, the first session set the stage for subsequent political movements and was instrumental in shaping the trajectory of Indian nationalism towards independence.

Q2. Analyze the role of prominent leaders in the first session of the Indian National Congress.

Answer: The first session of the Indian National Congress was significantly shaped by the contributions of several prominent leaders who played crucial roles in its formation and objectives. Allan Octavian Hume, often referred to as the founder of the Congress, was instrumental in bringing together diverse political factions and facilitating the organization of the session. His vision for a political platform aimed at advocating for Indian rights resonated with many intellectuals and reformists of the time. Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee, who was elected the first president, provided leadership and direction, articulating the Congress's goals and unifying the participants. Other key figures included Gopal Krishna Gokhale, whose philosophy of gradual reform influenced the Congress’s approach to seeking change through dialogue and constitutional means. Dadabhai Naoroji, another prominent leader, emphasized the economic exploitation of India by the British, advocating for greater representation and rights for Indians. Their collective efforts in the session laid the foundation for future leadership and strategies, steering the Congress towards becoming a central force in the Indian independence movement. The collaborative spirit and diverse perspectives of these leaders were crucial in shaping the early agenda of the Congress, marking a significant milestone in the history of Indian political activism.

Q3. Evaluate the objectives of the Indian National Congress during its first session and their implications for future movements.

Answer: The objectives of the Indian National Congress during its first session in 1885 were primarily focused on promoting political unity among Indians, seeking constitutional reforms, and addressing the social and economic issues faced under British rule. These objectives were significant as they laid the foundation for organized political action in India. The Congress aimed to create a platform for dialogue between the Indian populace and the British government, advocating for greater representation and participation in governance. This was crucial at a time when Indians were largely excluded from political processes. The emphasis on constitutional reforms indicated a desire for gradual change rather than immediate revolution, reflecting the Congress's strategic approach to gain legitimacy and support from both Indians and the British. The implications of these objectives were far-reaching, as they not only mobilized a wide range of social classes and communities towards a common goal but also set the stage for future movements advocating for self-rule and independence. The Congress evolved from its initial focus on reforms to a more assertive demand for complete independence, driven by the collective consciousness fostered in the first session. This early agenda of the Congress proved to be instrumental in shaping the trajectory of the Indian independence movement, influencing subsequent leaders and strategies.

Previous Year Questions on  First Session of INC

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question. What were the causes and significance of the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885?

Answer: The formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 was driven by several key causes. Firstly, there was a growing political consciousness among the educated middle class, who were increasingly aware of the socio-economic issues facing India under British rule. This awareness was fueled by various social reform movements and the writings of prominent intellectuals who highlighted the injustices of colonial rule. Secondly, the desire for greater Indian participation in governance and the need for a collective voice to address grievances motivated the establishment of the Congress. The role of Allan Octavian Hume as a facilitator also cannot be overlooked, as he sought to create a platform for moderate political dialogue between Indians and the British government. The significance of the Congress’s formation lies in its establishment as a formal political organization that would unite diverse groups across the subcontinent, promoting the cause of Indian nationalism. It marked a shift from sporadic protests to organized political activism, setting the stage for future movements advocating for self-governance and independence. The Congress became a vehicle for expressing Indian aspirations and grievances, laying the groundwork for subsequent leaders and movements that would eventually lead to India’s independence.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question. Analyze the role of the Indian National Congress in the struggle for Indian independence.

Answer: The Indian National Congress played a pivotal role in the struggle for Indian independence, evolving from a platform for moderate reform to a leading force advocating for complete self-rule. Initially, the Congress sought constitutional reforms and greater representation for Indians within the British government, reflecting the aspirations of the educated middle class. As the political landscape changed and the demands for independence grew stronger, the Congress transitioned into a mass movement, galvanizing support from diverse social groups across India. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel redefined its strategies, incorporating non-violent resistance and civil disobedience into the struggle against colonial rule. The Congress's ability to mobilize the masses during pivotal movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) and the Quit India Movement (1942) showcased its significant influence. Moreover, the Congress's demands for self-governance and socio-economic reforms resonated with the broader population, uniting various communities under the banner of nationalism. The negotiations leading to independence in 1947 can be attributed to the sustained efforts of the Congress, making it a central actor in the freedom struggle. Its legacy continues to shape India's political landscape, emphasizing the importance of organized political action in achieving national aspirations.