Explanation: The Indian National Congress, a major political party in India, has held numerous sessions throughout its history, each of which has been significant in shaping the course of the Indian independence movement. One such session was held in September 1920 in Calcutta, which is now known as Kolkata.
The 1920 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress was a pivotal moment in the history of the Indian independence movement. It was during this session that Mahatma Gandhi, who had recently returned from South Africa, proposed the Non-Cooperation Movement. This movement aimed to achieve Swaraj (self-rule) through non-violent means, including the boycott of British institutions, goods, and services. The session was attended by thousands of delegates and marked a significant shift in the strategy of the Indian National Congress from constitutional agitation to mass civil disobedience.
The choice of Calcutta as the venue for this session was strategic. Calcutta, being the capital of British India at the time, was a center of political activity and had a strong tradition of political activism. The city's intellectual and cultural milieu provided a conducive environment for the propagation of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
It is important to note that the Indian National Congress held sessions in various cities throughout its history, each with its own significance. For instance, the Nagpur session of 1920 was significant for the adoption of the flag of India, while the Lahore session of 1929 was crucial for the declaration of Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) as the goal of the Indian National Movement. The Madras session of 1927 was significant for the resolution on the Simon Commission, which was a British parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing the working of the Government of India Act 1919.
Understanding the historical context and the significance of each session is crucial for comprehending the evolution of the Indian independence movement. The 1920 Calcutta session, in particular, marked a turning point in the movement, as it introduced the concept of non-violent mass civil disobedience as a means to achieve independence from British rule. This session laid the groundwork for future movements and strategies that would eventually lead to India's independence in 1947.