INC Meetings
The Indian National Congress (INC) meetings refer mainly to the annual sessions organized by the party since its inception in 1885. These sessions were pivotal in shaping India's independence movement and political strategy against British rule. The first session was held in Bombay in December 1885, where Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee was the president. Since then, the INC held its annual sessions mostly in December each year, rotating across different parts of India, with each session presided over by an elected president.
These meetings were significant for discussing national goals, political reforms, and unity against colonial rule. Some sessions also included special sessions during critical periods, such as the approval of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920. Important sessions also saw key resolutions like Swaraj being declared the aim in 1906, the split between moderates and extremists in 1907, and the declaration of Purna Swaraj (complete independence) in 1929.
The INC sessions involved various prominent leaders and were a platform for debating major policies, including socioeconomic reforms, opposition to British policies, and strategies for independence. These meetings reflected the evolving political climate and the Congress's role in uniting diverse groups toward the freedom struggle.
In summary, INC meetings were annual or special sessions where leaders convened to direct the Congress's political activities, express nationalist demands, and mobilize support for India's independence. The history of these sessions is essential for understanding the trajectory of India's freedom movement and the INC's role in it
Timeline of major INC events 1885–1947
Here is a timeline of major Indian National Congress (INC) events from 1885 to 1947:
- 1885: Indian National Congress founded in Bombay; first session presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.
- 1886–1905: Early sessions focused on moderate reforms like greater representation, civil rights, and administrative reforms.
- 1905: Partition of Bengal by the British sparks widespread protest; INC begins political mass mobilization.
- 1907: Surat Split - division between Moderates and Extremists within INC.
- 1915: Mahatma Gandhi returns to India and soon takes prominent leadership in INC.
- 1919: Jallianwala Bagh massacre shocks INC; non-cooperation movement started in 1920.
- 1920-22: Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi mobilizes people nationwide.
- 1928: Nehru Report demands dominion status; INC rejects it, demanding complete independence.
- 1929: Lahore session declares Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) as INC's goal.
- 1930: Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March) initiates Civil Disobedience Movement.
- 1935: Government of India Act passed; INC wins provincial elections in 1937.
- 1942: Quit India Movement launched by INC demanding immediate British withdrawal.
- 1947: Independence and partition of India; INC leader Jawaharlal Nehru becomes the first Prime Minister of free India.
This timeline highlights the key political and mass movement milestones of the INC that led to India's freedom from British rule.
Key INC leaders and roles before 1947
Key Indian National Congress (INC) leaders before 1947 and their roles include:
- **Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee**: First president of the INC at its founding session in 1885, helping establish the organization as a platform for Indian political dialogue.
- **Dadabhai Naoroji**: Early moderate leader known as the "Grand Old Man of India," he emphasized economic critique of British rule and became the first Indian elected to the British Parliament.
- **Bal Gangadhar Tilak**: A radical leader who advocated for self-rule (Swaraj) and mass mobilization, Tilak inspired militant nationalism and was a key figure in the extremist faction after the 1907 split.
- **Gopal Krishna Gokhale**: Moderate leader, social reformer, and mentor to Gandhi who initially believed in constitutional reforms and dialogue with the British.
- **Mahatma Gandhi**: The paramount leader of the INC from 1915 onward, he introduced mass nonviolent civil disobedience and led major campaigns like Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India, reshaping the freedom struggle.
- **Jawaharlal Nehru**: Prominent leader and the first Prime Minister of independent India, Nehru was a major advocate for socialism, industrialization, and secularism within the Congress.
- **Subhas Chandra Bose**: A radical leader who sought direct confrontation with British rule, he formed the Indian National Army and led efforts outside the INC framework during World War II.
- **Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel**: Key organizer and leader in integrating princely states post-independence, Patel was a top strategist and deputy within the INC.
- **Lala Lajpat Rai**: Early nationalist leader, part of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, who emphasized assertive resistance to British policies.
These leaders played vital roles in shaping the INC’s political ideology, strategies, and activities leading up to India’s independence in 1947
How INC strategies evolved 1885 to independence
The Indian National Congress (INC) strategies evolved significantly from its founding in 1885 until independence in 1947, reflecting changing political contexts and leadership dynamics.
### Early Moderate Phase (1885–1905)
Initially, the INC adopted a constitutional and moderate approach, focusing on petitions, dialogues, and reforms within British rule. The strategy was to seek greater Indian representation, civil rights, and administrative reforms through cooperation with the British government. Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale emphasized gradual change and loyalty to the Crown.
### Radical and Extremist Phase (1905–1919)
The partition of Bengal in 1905 and rising nationalist sentiment ushered in more assertive strategies. The INC split between Moderates and Extremists in 1907, with leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak advocating for Swaraj (self-rule) and direct action. Mass protests, boycotts of British goods, and political mobilization became prominent, though INC still focused largely on constitutional methods.
### Mass Movement Phase under Gandhi (1919–1934)
Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership marked a major strategic shift to mass nonviolent resistance. The INC launched movements with broad-based participation, including the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34), and Salt Satyagraha. These campaigns combined political demands with social reform, aiming to undermine British authority through peaceful defiance and unity among Indians.
### Constitutional Engagement and Parallel Struggle (1935–1942)
The INC also engaged with the Government of India Act 1935 by participating in provincial elections (1937) and governing provinces, seeking to demonstrate capability and gain political leverage. However, they continued nationalist agitation outside constitutional bounds, leading to tensions and resignations when the British repressed political activities.
### Militant and Final Push (1942–1947)
The Quit India Movement of 1942 marked the INC’s final mass uprising demanding full British withdrawal. Despite harsh crackdown, the movement galvanized Indian resistance. Meanwhile, leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose pursued militant and international routes for independence. Post-World War II negotiations and mounting pressure forced the British to accept INC’s demand for sovereignty, culminating in independence in 1947.
Overall, INC strategies evolved from moderate constitutionalism to assertive mass nonviolence combined with political participation and, finally, uncompromising demand for complete independence through mass and militant struggle, reflecting adaptability and growing nationalist aspirations.
List the major Indian National Congress sessions and years
Here is a list of major Indian National Congress (INC) sessions and their years:
- 1st Session: 1885, Bombay — Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee
- 2nd Session: 1886, Calcutta — Dadabhai Naoroji
- 3rd Session: 1887, Madras — Syed Badruddin Tyabji (first Muslim president)
- 4th Session: 1888, Allahabad — George Yule (first English president)
- 5th Session: 1889, Bombay
- 20th Session: 1904, Bombay
- 21st Session: 1905, Banaras — Gopal Krishna Gokhale; formal proclamation of the Swadeshi movement
- 22nd Session: 1906, Calcutta — Dadabhai Naoroji; adoption of resolutions on Swaraj, boycott, Swadeshi, education
- 23rd Session: 1907, Surat — Congress split between Moderates and Extremists
- 31st Session: 1916, Lucknow — Unity between factions (Moderates and Extremists) and Lucknow Pact
- 34th Session: 1919, Amritsar — Motilal Nehru as president
- 39th Session: 1924, Belgaum — Mahatma Gandhi as president
- 43rd Session: 1928, Calcutta — Motilal Nehru; prelude to Purna Swaraj
- 44th Session: 1929, Lahore — Jawaharlal Nehru; declaration of Purna Swaraj (complete independence)
- 45th Session: 1931, Karachi — Vallabhbhai Patel
- 52nd Session: 1939, Tripura — Subhas Chandra Bose
- 54th Session: 1946, Meerut — J.B. Kripalani
These sessions marked key moments such as the formation of INC, promotion of Swadeshi, split between Moderates and Extremists, adoption of Swaraj resolution, declaration of complete independence, and leadership transitions leading up to Indian independence in 1947.
Which presidents led the INC during landmark sessions
The presidents who led the Indian National Congress (INC) during landmark sessions include:
- 1885, Bombay (1st Session): Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee — Inaugural session establishing INC.
- 1886, Calcutta: Dadabhai Naoroji — Early moderate leadership.
- 1905, Banaras: Gopal Krishna Gokhale — Formal proclamation of the Swadeshi movement.
- 1906, Calcutta: Dadabhai Naoroji — Declaration of Swaraj (self-rule) as a goal.
- 1907, Surat: Rash Behari Ghosh — Session marked by the split between Moderates and Extremists.
- 1916, Lucknow: Ambica Charan Mazumdar — Unification of Moderates and Extremists; Lucknow Pact.
- 1919, Amritsar: Motilal Nehru — Expressed sympathy for Jallianwala Bagh massacre victims.
- 1920, Calcutta (Special Session): Lala Lajpat Rai — Approval of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- 1924, Belgaum: Mahatma Gandhi — The only INC session presided by Gandhi.
- 1928, Calcutta: Motilal Nehru — Prelude to demand for full independence.
- 1929, Lahore: Jawaharlal Nehru — Declaration of Purna Swaraj (complete independence).
- 1931, Karachi: Vallabhbhai Patel — Endorsement of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
- 1938, Haripura: Subhas Chandra Bose — Rejected the federal structure of the 1935 Government of India Act.
- 1946, Meerut: J.B. Kripalani — The last session before independence.
These leaders and sessions were instrumental in major political decisions, campaigns, and shifts in INC policy and strategy during the freedom struggle.
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