Understanding the Founding Session of the Indian National Congress

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in December 1885. Its first session was held in Bombay (now Mumbai). This was a significant event in the history of India's freedom struggle, bringing together prominent leaders from various parts of the country to discuss political matters and demand reforms. Understanding who attended this crucial founding session helps in appreciating the early leadership of the Congress.

Attendees of the First Session of the Indian National Congress

The first session of the Indian National Congress was attended by 72 delegates from different provinces of India. Many notable figures who played a vital role in the early nationalist movement were present. Let's look at the individuals mentioned in the options:

• Dadabhai Naoroji: Known as the "Grand Old Man of India", Dadabhai Naoroji was a key figure in the early Congress and was instrumental in its formation. He was definitely present at the founding session.
• G. Subramanya Iyer: A prominent journalist and nationalist from Madras (now Chennai), G. Subramanya Iyer was one of the delegates who attended the inaugural session in Bombay. He was a founder of 'The Hindu' newspaper, which played a significant role in spreading nationalist ideas.
• Justice Ranade: Mahadev Govind Ranade, often referred to as Justice Ranade, was a distinguished scholar, social reformer, and one of the founding members of the INC. He was present at the first session and contributed significantly to early nationalist thought.
• Surendranath Banerjee: Surendranath Banerjee was a towering nationalist leader and a founder of the Indian Association, which was another important political organization of the time. However, he was not present at the founding session of the Indian National Congress in 1885. The reason for his absence was that he was leading the second national conference of the Indian Association in Calcutta (now Kolkata) concurrently.

Based on historical records, Surendranath Banerjee was the only leader among the given options who did not attend the first session of the Indian National Congress. He joined the Congress later, and his Indian Association merged with the Indian National Congress in 1886.

Why Surendranath Banerjee Missed the Founding Session

Surendranath Banerjee was deeply involved with the Indian Association, an organization he had founded along with Anandamohan Bose in 1876. This organization also aimed at fostering national consciousness and demanding political reforms. In December 1885, the Indian Association held its second national conference in Calcutta. Surendranath Banerjee was busy leading this conference, which is why he could not attend the first session of the Indian National Congress happening simultaneously in Bombay.

Revision Table: Presence at INC Founding Session (1885)

Leader	Present at 1885 INC Founding Session?	Notes
Dadabhai Naoroji	Yes	Key founder, later President multiple times.
G. Subramanya Iyer	Yes	Prominent delegate from Madras.
Justice Ranade	Yes	Founding member, influential figure.
Surendranath Banerjee	No	Busy with Indian Association conference in Calcutta.

Additional Information on Early Nationalist Leaders

The early years of the Indian National Congress saw the participation of numerous intellectuals and leaders who laid the foundation for India's freedom movement. These leaders, often termed 'Moderates', believed in constitutional methods and gradual reform. * Dadabhai Naoroji: Propounded the 'Drain Theory', highlighting how British rule was economically exploiting India. Served as INC President three times. * G. Subramanya Iyer: Instrumental in starting 'The Hindu' newspaper in English and 'Swadesamitran' in Tamil, using journalism to spread nationalist ideas. * Justice Ranade: A respected judge and social reformer who advocated for social and religious reforms alongside political awakening. He was a mentor to Gopal Krishna Gokhale. * Surendranath Banerjee: Known as "Sir Surendranath" after being knighted. He was a powerful orator and journalist, founding 'The Bengalee' newspaper. Despite missing the first session, he became a significant leader within the Congress. Understanding the roles and presence of these leaders in the early days of the Indian National Congress provides crucial context for studying the history of modern India.