INC's first session was held in which place?
VerifiedAnswer: Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Bombay
Explanation:
The Indian National Congress (INC) held its very first session at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya in Bombay (now Mumbai) on December 28-31, 1885. This historic event marked the beginning of India's organized political movement for independence and self-governance.
The choice of Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya as the venue was quite significant. This educational institution, named after the philanthropist Gokuldas Tejpal, provided a neutral and respectable setting for the gathering of educated Indians from across the country. The college represented the growing importance of education and intellectual discourse in Indian society during the late 19th century.
The first session was presided over by Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee, a prominent lawyer from Calcutta, who became the first President of the Indian National Congress. Around 72 delegates attended this inaugural session, representing different regions of India. These delegates were mostly educated professionals including lawyers, teachers, journalists, and businessmen who shared a common vision of political reform and greater Indian participation in governance.
Bombay was chosen as the location for this historic gathering for several practical reasons. The city was already established as a major commercial and administrative center under British rule, making it easily accessible to delegates from different parts of India. It also had a significant population of educated Indians who were actively involved in social and political reform movements.
The founding of the Congress was largely credited to Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, who worked alongside Indian leaders to establish this platform for political dialogue. Initially, the Congress had moderate aims, seeking reforms within the British system rather than complete independence. The early sessions focused on issues such as:
• Greater representation of Indians in government services
• Reduction in military expenditure
• Separation of judicial and executive powers
• Expansion of educational opportunities
The selection of Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya as the venue thus holds great historical importance as it witnessed the birth of India's premier political organization. From this humble beginning in a college hall in Bombay, the Indian National Congress would go on to lead India's struggle for independence and eventually form the first government of free India in 1947.
