Understanding the Indian National Congress Foundation

The question asks about the individual who served as the first president of the Indian National Congress (INC). The INC is one of the major political parties in India, founded during the British Raj.

The Indian National Congress was established on 28 December 1885. Its first session was held in Bombay (now Mumbai).

Identifying the First INC President

The primary objective of the first session was to bring together educated Indians from different parts of the country to discuss political and social issues.

The first session, held in Bombay, was presided over by a prominent Indian barrister.

Let's look at the options provided:

• Womesh Chandra Banerjee
• Annie Besant
• J B Kriplani
• Jawaharlal Nehru

Historical records confirm that the first person to preside over the inaugural session of the Indian National Congress was Womesh Chandra Banerjee.

Analysing the Options for First President

Let's briefly consider the other individuals listed and their roles in relation to the Indian National Congress:

• Womesh Chandra Banerjee: He was a distinguished lawyer and was indeed elected as the president for the first session of the Indian National Congress held in 1885. He presided over the session which saw 72 delegates attending.
• Annie Besant: She was a prominent Theosophist and nationalist. While she played a significant role in the Indian independence movement, including leading the Home Rule League, she became the first woman president of the Indian National Congress much later, in 1917. Therefore, she was not the first overall president.
• J B Kriplani: J. B. Kriplani was a veteran Gandhian socialist. He served as the President of the Indian National Congress at a crucial time, specifically during India's independence in 1947. He was not the first president.
• Jawaharlal Nehru: Jawaharlal Nehru was a key leader of the Indian National Congress and became independent India's first Prime Minister. He served multiple terms as INC president, including in 1929, 1936, 1937, and during the period from 1946 to 1954. He was not the first president in 1885.

Based on historical facts, Womesh Chandra Banerjee was the first president of the Indian National Congress.

Key Details about the First INC Session

The first session of the Indian National Congress was originally planned for Pune but was moved to Bombay due to a plague outbreak in Pune. It was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay.

Key individuals involved in the formation included A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, who played a significant role as one of the founders and served as its first General Secretary.

Conclusion

Reviewing the historical context and the roles of the individuals listed, it is clear that Womesh Chandra Banerjee was the first person to preside over the inaugural session of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

Revision Table: Key Congress Presidents

Additional Information: Founding of INC

The Indian National Congress was founded with the initial aim of creating a platform for civic and political dialogue among educated Indians. Over time, it evolved into a major political movement playing a central role in the Indian independence struggle.

Key figures in the early phase, besides W.C. Banerjee and A.O. Hume, included Dadabhai Naoroji, Dinshaw Wacha, and Surendranath Banerjee (though Surendranath Banerjee's Indian National Conference merged with INC later).

The foundational meeting laid the groundwork for future sessions and the development of the Congress's political agenda, which gradually shifted from loyal opposition to demanding self-rule.