Explanation: The Indian National Congress (INC) is one of the oldest and most influential political parties in India. It was founded in 1885 with the aim of promoting the interests of the Indian people and working towards the country's independence from British rule. The first meeting of the INC was held in Bombay (now Mumbai) on December 28, 1885. This meeting was significant as it marked the beginning of a formal political movement in India that would eventually lead to the country's independence in 1947.
The choice of Bombay as the location for the first meeting was strategic. Bombay was a major port city and a center of economic and political activity in the late 19th century. It was also a hub for intellectuals, journalists, and political activists who were instrumental in the early stages of the independence movement. The city's cosmopolitan nature and its role as a gateway to India made it an ideal location for the founding of a national political party.
The first meeting of the INC was attended by 72 delegates from various parts of India, including prominent figures such as A.O. Hume, W.C. Bonnerjee, and Dadabhai Naoroji. The meeting was held at the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay. The primary objectives of the INC at its inception were to promote national unity, to secure civil rights for Indians, and to work towards the establishment of a democratic government in India.
It is important to note that while other cities such as Calcutta (now Kolkata), Delhi, and Bhopal were significant in India's political history, they were not the sites of the first meeting of the INC. Calcutta, for instance, was the capital of British India until 1911 and was a major center for political activities, but the first meeting of the INC was held in Bombay. Similarly, Delhi, the current capital of India, and Bhopal, an important city in central India, were not the locations for the first meeting of the INC.
Understanding the historical context and the significance of the first meeting of the Indian National Congress is crucial for comprehending the evolution of India's political landscape and the role of the INC in the country's struggle for independence. The choice of Bombay as the location for this meeting underscores the city's importance in the early stages of the independence movement and its role as a center for political activism and intellectual discourse.