Which of the following related to first Indian National Congress meeting is/are correct?1. It was held at Calcutta. 2. It was presided by W.C. Bonnerjee. Select the correct answer from the codes given below.

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the location and the presiding officer of the first Indian National Congress meeting.

Correct Answer: B) 2 only.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Civil Services

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

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 their political and social upliftment. The first session of the Indian National Congress was a significant milestone in the history of the Indian independence movement.

The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay (now known as Mumbai) from December 28 to December 31, 1885. The choice of Bombay as the venue was strategic, as it was a major commercial and industrial center, and it was hoped that the meeting would attract a large number of delegates from various parts of the country. The meeting was attended by 72 delegates, including prominent figures such as Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Pherozeshah Mehta.

Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee, often referred to as W.C. Bonnerjee, was a prominent Indian nationalist and lawyer. He was chosen as the president of the first session of the Indian National Congress. Bonnerjee was a key figure in the early phase of the Indian nationalist movement and played a significant role in shaping the agenda of the INC. His presidency marked the beginning of a long and influential history of the Indian National Congress in the struggle for Indian independence.

It is important to note that the first session of the Indian National Congress was not held in Calcutta (now known as Kolkata). Calcutta was a major city and a center of political activity, but the choice of Bombay as the venue for the first session was deliberate. The INC aimed to establish a broad-based national movement, and Bombay, being a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population, was seen as an ideal location to launch such a movement.

Understanding the details of the first session of the Indian National Congress is crucial for students preparing for competitive examinations, as it forms a part of the broader narrative of the Indian independence movement. The correct answer to the question is that the first session was presided over by W.C. Bonnerjee, which makes option B the correct choice.

Option Analysis:

Option A: This option is incorrect because the first Indian National Congress meeting was not held in Calcutta. It was held in Bombay.
Option B: This option is correct because the first Indian National Congress meeting was indeed presided over by W.C. Bonnerjee.
Option C: This option is incorrect because while W.C. Bonnerjee did preside over the meeting, the location was not Calcutta but Bombay.
Option D: This option is incorrect because one of the statements (presiding officer) is correct.

Mnemonic: Remember "Bonnerjee" for the presiding officer.

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