The Indian National Congress held annual sessions where major decisions of the freedom struggle were taken. Certain sessions are very important because of the leaders who presided over them or the resolutions passed. This is a frequently tested static history topic.
Early and Key Sessions
- Bombay (1885): First session, President W.C. Bonnerjee.
- Calcutta (1896): National song Vande Mataram sung for the first time.
- Calcutta (1906): Dadabhai Naoroji used the word Swaraj for the first time.
- Surat (1907): The famous Surat Split between Moderates and Extremists.
Sessions of the Gandhian Era
- Lucknow (1916): The Lucknow Pact between Congress and Muslim League.
- Nagpur (1920): Approved the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- Belgaum (1924): The only session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.
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Lahore and Later Sessions
- Lahore (1929): Presided by Jawaharlal Nehru; passed the Purna Swaraj resolution.
- Karachi (1931): Resolution on Fundamental Rights and economic policy.
- Tripuri (1939): Subhas Chandra Bose won but later resigned.
How to Remember
Link the session to the city and the main decision taken there. Focus on Surat, Lucknow, Nagpur, Belgaum and Lahore, which are asked most often.
Quick Revision Points
- First session: Bombay 1885, W.C. Bonnerjee.
- Surat Split in 1907.
- Lucknow Pact in 1916.
- Gandhi presided only at Belgaum (1924).
- Purna Swaraj passed at Lahore (1929) under Nehru.
- First use of Swaraj: Calcutta 1906 by Dadabhai Naoroji.
- Bose elected at Haripura (1938) and Tripuri (1939).