Early National Movement (1885–1917)
Overview
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| Early National Movement Overview | Organized struggle began with INC (1885). Moved from constitutional "Prayers and Petitions" (Moderates) to mass mobilization and "Militant Nationalism" (Extremists) following 1905 Partition of Bengal. |
1. Foundation of INC & Moderate Phase (1885–1905)
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| INC First Session (1885) | Dec 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay (moved from Poona due to Cholera). 72 delegates; presided by W.C. Bonnerjee. General Secretary: A.O. Hume ("Safety Valve" theory). |
| Moderate Leaders & Methods | Leaders: Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, G.K. Gokhale, S.N. Banerjea. Methods: PPP (Protest, Prayer, Petition) within law. Goal: Administrative reforms. Success: Indian Councils Act 1892. |
2. Extremist Phase & Swadeshi Movement (1905–1911)
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| Extremist Leaders & Goal | Leaders: Lal-Bal-Pal (Lajpat Rai, Tilak, B.C. Pal) + Aurobindo Ghosh. Goal: Swaraj (Self-rule). Tilak: "Swaraj is my birthright" (Ganapati 1893, Shivaji 1895 festivals). |
| Partition of Bengal (1905) | Enacted by Lord Curzon (16 Oct 1905 Day of Mourning). Swadeshi Movement launched Aug 1905 at Calcutta Town Hall. Boycott of foreign goods, National Education, Samitis (Swadesh Bandhab). Annulled in 1911 (Delhi Durbar). |
3. Splits, Pacts & Home Rule (1907–1916)
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| Surat Split (1907) | Conflict over extending Swadeshi pan-India vs keeping it in Bengal. Rash Behari Ghosh presided. Moderates expelled Extremists. |
| Morley-Minto Reforms (1909) | Introduced Separate Electorates for Muslims (Indian Councils Act 1909). |
| Lucknow Pact (1916) | INC and Muslim League joint demands (presided by A.C. Majumdar). Extremists rejoined INC. |
| Home Rule League (1916) | Tilak (Poona: MH, KA, CP, Berar) and Annie Besant (Madras: rest of India). |
🏛️ Pre-INC Political Associations
- Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870): Founded in Maharashtra with M.G. Ranade as a leading figure; one of the earliest organized political associations advocating for representative government.
- Indian Association (1876): Founded in Calcutta by Surendranath Banerjea and Anandamohan Bose; organized the country's first all-India political conference (1883) and agitated on issues like the age limit for the Civil Service exam.
- Bombay Presidency Association (1885): Founded by Pherozeshah Mehta, K.T. Telang, and Badruddin Tyabji shortly before the INC itself — these regional bodies fed leadership and organizational experience directly into the Congress.
UPSC High-Yield Recall & Exam Traps
| Cue Words | Notes |
|---|---|
| INC 1st Session Venue Change | Scheduled for Poona but moved to Bombay due to Cholera outbreak. |
| Surat Split Cause | Moderates wanted to limit Swadeshi to Bengal; Extremists wanted pan-India boycott. |
| Home Rule Geographical Scope | Tilak's league formed first (Apr 1916, MH/KA); Besant's league formed Sept 1916 (rest of India). |
| A.O. Hume Session Presidency | A.O. Hume never presided over any INC session. |