Indian National Congress Annual Sessions - Modern India History Notes
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 and quickly rose to prominence as one of the most powerful political parties in pre-independence India. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in 1885. When the party was created, Lord Dufferin was the Viceroy of British India. In this article, we will discuss the Indian National Congress Annual Sessions which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.
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Table of Contents |
Indian National Congress - Background
- AO Hume founded the Indian National Congress in 1885.
- It was the first modern nationalist movement in Asia to rise up against the British Empire.
- He invited many Indian leaders and laid the groundwork for the INC, formerly known as the "Indian National Union."
- However, at the suggestion of Dadabhai Naoroji, the name was changed to 'Indian National Congress.'
- The term "Congress" was taken from the American Constitution.
- Since 1880, there has been a pressing need for an all-India organisation of educated Indians, but the Ilbert Bill controversy has heightened this desire.
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| Governor of Bengal (Before 1773) | Governor Generals of Bengal (1773-1833) |
| Governor Generals of India (1832-1858) | Governor Generals during British India |
Objectives of INC
- To promote the nation-building process in India in order to foster a sense of national identity among the people and to promote national unity.
- To establish an all-India political platform that will allow political workers from across the country to educate and mobilise the masses through a single all-India political organisation.
- To promote political consciousness and awakening among educated citizens, and then to all segments of society.
- Other things to promote in the country include political liberal democracy, democratic culture, and anti-colonial ideology among the people.
Sessions of INC
| Year | President | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1885 - Bombay | W.C. Bannerjee | Formation of INC |
| 1886 - Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji | |
| 1887 - Madras | Syed Badruddin Tyabji | Syed Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim President |
| 1888 - Allahabad | George Yule | George Yule was the first English President |
| 1896 - Calcutta | Rahumutullah Sayani | Rabindranath Tagore performed the first rendition of the national anthem 'Vande Mataram’ |
| 1899 - Lucknow | Romesh Chandra Dutt | Demand for permanent fixation of land revenue |
| 1901 - Calcutta | Dinshaw E. Wacha | Gandhi appeared on the Congress platform |
| 1905 - Benaras | Gopal Krishna Gokhale | Formal proclamation of Swadeshi Movement |
| 1906 - Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji | Adopted four resolutions on Swaraj, Boycott Movement, Swadeshi and National Education |
| 1907 - Surat | Rash Bihari Ghosh | Split in Congress: moderates and extremists. Session adjourned. |
| 1910 - Allahabad | Sir William Wedderburn | M.A. Jinnah criticised the separate electorate system established by the 1909 Act |
| 1911 - Calcutta | B.N. Dhar | Jan-Gan-Man was performed for the first time in a congress session |
| 1915 - Bombay | Sir S.P. Sinha | The Congress's constitution was changed to allow delegates from the extremist section to attend |
| 1916 - Lucknow | A.C. Majumdar | Congress's two factions, the moderates and the extremists, have come together. The Congress and Muslim League signed the Lucknow Pact to build political consensus. |
| 1917 - Calcutta | Annie Besant | The first female president of Congress |
| 1918 (Special session) - Bombay | Syed Hasan Imam | The session was called to discuss the contentious Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms Scheme. |
| 1919 - Amritsar | Motilal Nehru | Congress expressed its support for the Khilafat Movement |
| 1920 (Special Session) - Calcutta | Lala Lajpat Rai | The non-cooperation resolution was proposed by Mahatma Gandhi |
| 1920 - Nagpur | C.Vijayaraghavachariar | Reconstitution of Congress's Working Committees on a Linguistic Basis. MA Jinnah left the Indian National Congress. |
| 1922 - Gaya | C.R. Das | CR Das and other leaders left INC. The Swaraj Party was formed. |
| 1924 - Belgaum | M.K. Gandhi | Only session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi |
| 1925 - Kanpur | Sarojini Naidu | The first Indian woman president |
| 1927 - Madras | Dr. M.A. Ansari | A resolution was passed opposing the use of Indian troops in China, Iran, and Mesopotamia. A resolution was passed opposing the boycott of the Simon Commission. Adoption of the Purna Swaraj resolution. |
| 1928 - Calcutta | Motilal Nehru | All India Youth Congress was formed. |
| 1929 - Lahore | Jawahar Lal Nehru | The resolution on 'Poorna Swaraj' was passed. A civil disobedience movement for complete independence to be launched. The 26th of January to be designated as "Independence Day." |
| 1931 - Karachi | Vallabhbhai Patel | Resolutions on Fundamental Rights and the National Economic Program. Endorsement of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. Gandhi has been nominated to represent the INC at the Second Round Table Conference in London. |
| 1934 - Bombay | Rajendra Prasad | Congress's Constitution was amended. |
| 1936 - Lucknow | Jawahar Lal Nehru | Jawahar Lal Nehru pushed for socialist ideas. |
| 1937 - Faizpur | Jawahar Lal Nehru | First session held in a village. |
| 1938 - Haripura | Subhash Chandra Bose | National Planning Committee set up under Jawahar Lal Nehru. |
| 1939 - Tripuri | Rajendra Prasad | Subhash Chandra Bose was re-elected but forced to resign. Rajendra Prasad was appointed in his place. Subhash Chandra Bose founded the Forward Bloc. |
| 1940 - Ramgarh | Abul Kalam Azad | A civil disobedience movement to be launched at the appropriate time and under the appropriate conditions. |
| 1941–45 | This period is defined by events such as the Quit India movement, the RIN Mutiny, and the INA trials. The Cripps Mission, Wavell Plan, and Cabinet Mission are all stages of constitutional negotiations. Because of these events, no congress session was held during this phase. | |
| 1946 - Meerut | J.B. Kripalani | The final session before independence. J.B Kriplani was the president of INC at the time of independence. |
Conclusion
A.O. Hume was also instrumental in bringing Indians from various regions together. The formation of the Indian National Congress was an attempt to promote the process of nation building. In order to reach all regions, it was decided to rotate the Congress session across the country. The President was from a different region than the one where the Congress was meeting. The Congress led India to independence from the Britishers and had a significant impact on other anti-colonial nationalist movements around the British Empire. The Congress is known as the "great old party" because of its long history.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Indian National Congress (INC)?
Answer: The Indian National Congress (INC) is a political party in India that was founded in 1885. It played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement and later in the political landscape of the country. The INC was initially formed as a platform for airing the grievances of Indians under British rule, but it evolved into a nationalist movement that sought self-governance and eventually full independence from British colonial rule.
Q2: What were the annual sessions of the Indian National Congress?
Answer: The annual sessions of the INC were held every year, starting from its foundation in 1885, where delegates from across India gathered to discuss and decide on the political strategies, resolutions, and organizational matters of the party. These sessions played a crucial role in shaping the political discourse of the country, and they were the platform where important decisions regarding India’s freedom struggle were made.
Q3: Why were the annual sessions of the INC important in the freedom movement?
Answer: The annual sessions of the INC were instrumental in uniting the Indian masses against British rule. These sessions provided a forum for Indian leaders to discuss key issues such as self-rule, civil rights, and national unity. It was during these sessions that significant resolutions were passed, such as the demand for self-governance, the Non-Cooperation Movement, and the Quit India Movement. They also helped in the formation of the leadership structure that would later lead the Indian struggle for independence.
Q4: Who were some of the prominent leaders during the annual sessions of the INC?
Answer: Prominent leaders who participated in the annual sessions of the INC included:
- Dadabhai Naoroji: The first leader to demand "Swaraj" (self-rule) for India.
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A prominent leader who advocated for full independence and played a key role in the formation of the INC's political ideology.
- Lala Lajpat Rai: A key figure in the INC, he was instrumental in promoting nationalist ideals.
- Mahatma Gandhi: Although he became the key leader of the INC later, Gandhi’s influence grew through the sessions, particularly after the 1919 session.
- Jawaharlal Nehru: Nehru became an active participant in INC's sessions and rose to prominence during the 1930s and 1940s.
Q5: What were some key decisions made at the annual sessions of the INC?
Answer: The INC annual sessions were significant in shaping the direction of the Indian freedom movement. Some key decisions included:
- The Partition of Bengal (1905): The INC strongly opposed the British decision to divide Bengal and made the call for national unity.
- The Lucknow Pact (1916): A historic agreement between the INC and the All-India Muslim League that sought to create a united front against British rule.
- The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920): A decision taken under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership to resist British rule through non-violent means.
- The Quit India Movement (1942): A call for immediate independence from British colonial rule, made during the INC session in 1942.
MCQs
- When was the Indian National Congress (INC) founded?
a) 1857
b) 1885
c) 1900
d) 1947
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
- Who presided over the first annual session of the Indian National Congress?
a) Dadabhai Naoroji
b) Surendranath Banerjee
c) Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee
d) Lala Lajpat Rai
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
- What was the primary goal of the Indian National Congress in its early years?
a) Full independence from British rule
b) Economic self-sufficiency
c) Representing the interests of Indian princes
d) Expressing grievances against British policies and seeking reforms
Answer: (D) See the Explanation
- Which of the following leaders played a key role in the formation of the Lucknow Pact (1916) during an INC session?
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
d) Subhas Chandra Bose
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
- Which movement was formally adopted by the Indian National Congress at its 1920 session?
a) Quit India Movement
b) Civil Disobedience Movement
c) Non-Cooperation Movement
d) Swadeshi Movement
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1: Discuss the role of the Indian National Congress Annual Sessions in shaping India’s struggle for independence.
Answer: The annual sessions of the Indian National Congress (INC) played a crucial role in shaping India’s struggle for independence by providing a platform for national leaders to deliberate on critical issues, form strategies, and unite the Indian masses under the common cause of freedom from British colonial rule. These sessions allowed leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Mahatma Gandhi to discuss various political ideologies, which eventually led to the formation of mass movements. In the early years, the INC aimed at seeking reforms within the British system, including the representation of Indians in the legislature and the protection of Indian interests. However, as the years progressed, the focus shifted towards the demand for self-governance and independence. The INC’s annual sessions were pivotal in mobilizing public opinion through resolutions such as the Lucknow Pact (1916), which sought to unite Hindus and Muslims against British rule, and the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), which marked the beginning of mass civil disobedience under Gandhi’s leadership.
The sessions also helped to build a framework for the rise of the Congress as the principal organization leading the Indian independence movement. The Quit India Movement (1942) was a direct result of the INC’s annual sessions, where the call for immediate independence was made. These sessions also highlighted the growing unity and strength of the Indian leadership, which eventually led to India gaining independence in 1947.
Q2: Evaluate the contribution of the Indian National Congress to the social and political awakening in India.
Answer: The Indian National Congress (INC) contributed significantly to the social and political awakening in India, both in terms of creating political consciousness and social reforms. Founded in 1885, the INC initially focused on expressing Indian grievances regarding British policies, but it quickly evolved into a key platform for the nationalist movement, bringing together diverse social and political groups under a common goal of self-rule.
Politically, the INC played an instrumental role in awakening the masses about their rights and the need for self-governance. It helped to channel popular dissatisfaction with colonial rule into organized political action. Through its annual sessions, the INC debated and adopted resolutions that reflected the aspirations of the people, such as the demand for greater representation in government and the protection of civil liberties. Socially, the INC was involved in promoting social reforms such as the abolition of child marriage, the promotion of education for women, and the protection of the rights of the marginalized. Leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Rabindranath Tagore used the INC as a platform to push for these reforms, which gradually contributed to the broader social awakening across India.
The INC’s contribution to political awakening extended to the formation of mass movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement, which brought together the urban middle class, peasants, and workers in large-scale protests against British rule. The Congress also provided the first platform for Indians to discuss and address issues related to caste, religion, and language, making it a pivotal force in shaping India’s social and political landscape.
Q3: Analyze the significance of the INC’s sessions in fostering unity among diverse sections of Indian society.
Answer: The annual sessions of the Indian National Congress (INC) were significant in fostering unity among diverse sections of Indian society by providing a common platform for dialogue, cooperation, and collective action against British colonial rule. The INC brought together people from different regions, religions, and social backgrounds, helping to forge a sense of national identity that transcended individual sectarian or regional interests.
One of the most significant examples of fostering unity was the Lucknow Pact (1916), where the INC, under the leadership of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant, united with the All India Muslim League. This pact marked the first formal cooperation between Hindus and Muslims, aimed at presenting a united front to the British. It was a key moment in India’s political history that laid the foundation for later national movements.
The INC’s sessions also provided an opportunity to address the concerns of various social groups. For example, the participation of leaders from different parts of India, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose, helped unite the national movement by integrating the concerns of the urban middle class, peasantry, and laborers. Moreover, these sessions played a significant role in promoting the idea of Swaraj (self-rule), which resonated with a wide spectrum of Indian society.
Previous Year Questions on Indian National Congress Annual Sessions
1. UPSC CSE 2020
Question: Examine the role of the Indian National Congress Annual Sessions in shaping India’s independence struggle.
Answer: The Indian National Congress (INC) annual sessions played a crucial role in shaping India’s independence struggle by providing a forum for political leaders to discuss key issues and form strategies for resisting British rule. These sessions, held every year from 1885, were pivotal in uniting people across regions, social classes, and religions under the common goal of self-rule. The INC’s resolutions, such as the demand for Swaraj (self-governance) and participation in mass movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) and Quit India Movement (1942), galvanized widespread public participation and fostered national unity.
The sessions also served as a platform for addressing social issues, including caste discrimination, gender equality, and economic exploitation, thus contributing to a broader awakening across the country. Through its sessions, the INC facilitated discussions that ultimately led to the formation of a national consensus for independence and the establishment of an organized resistance against colonial rule.
2. UPSC CSE 2018
Question: Discuss the role of the Indian National Congress in uniting diverse sections of Indian society.
Answer: The Indian National Congress (INC) played a significant role in uniting diverse sections of Indian society by providing a common platform for political participation and national discourse. Founded in 1885, the INC initially aimed at seeking reforms within the British colonial system but evolved into a nationalist organization that united Indians across various social, religious, and regional divides.One of the most notable instances of fostering unity was the Lucknow Pact (1916), where the INC and the Muslim League came together to present a unified front against British rule. The INC’s leadership, including figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, worked to bridge the gaps between Hindus and Muslims, urban and rural communities, and different social classes.
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