0
0

Indian National Movement (1885–1915)

Introduction

The Indian National Movement from 1885 to 1915 marks the beginning phase of organized political struggle against British rule. This period includes the formation of the Indian National Congress and early nationalist activities. Questions on this topic frequently appear in SSC CGL, IBPS PO, RRB NTPC, and other competitive exams.

Pattern: Indian National Movement (1885–1915)

Pattern

This pattern tests knowledge of the early phase of India's freedom struggle, focusing on the foundation of the Indian National Congress, its early leaders, and key events before World War I.

Key Concept:

The Indian National Movement (1885-1915) covers the establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885, the moderate phase of leadership, and the initial demands for political reforms under British rule.

Important Points:

  • Formation of INC = 1885 in Bombay, presided by W.C. Banerjee
  • Moderate Leaders = Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta
  • Early Demands = Greater Indian participation in governance, economic reforms, and administrative changes

Related Topics:

  • Moderate and Extremist phases of the Indian National Congress
  • Role of early nationalist leaders
  • Partition of Bengal (1905) and its impact on the Indian National Movement

Step-by-Step Example

Question

In which year was the Indian National Congress founded?

Options:

  • A. 1885
  • B. 1905
  • C. 1915
  • D. 1920

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the event

    The question asks for the founding year of the Indian National Congress.

  2. Step 2: Recall historical fact

    The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 in Bombay, with W.C. Banerjee as its first president.

  3. Step 3: Eliminate other options

    1905 is the year of the Partition of Bengal, 1915 marks the return of Gandhi to India, and 1920 is associated with the Non-Cooperation Movement.

  4. Final Answer:

    1885 → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    INC founded = 1885 ✅

Quick Variations

This pattern may appear as questions on:

  • 1. The first president of the Indian National Congress
  • 2. Key moderate leaders and their contributions
  • 3. Early demands and resolutions passed by the INC

Trick to Always Use

  • Remember the year 1885 as the start of organized political struggle by associating it with the founding of INC in Bombay.
  • Mnemonic: "I N C" = 1 (1st letter I), 8 (8th letter N), 8 (8th letter C) → 1885

Summary

Summary

  • The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 in Bombay.
  • Early leaders were moderates focusing on constitutional reforms.
  • The Partition of Bengal (1905) occurred during this period, leading to the rise of extremists; Gandhi returned to India in 1915.

Remember:
INC foundation = 1885, start of India's political awakening

Practice

(1/5)
1. Who was the first president of the Indian National Congress when it was founded in 1885?
easy
A. Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee
B. Dadabhai Naoroji
C. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the concept

    The question asks for the first president of the Indian National Congress at its founding in 1885.

  2. Step 2: Recall historical fact

    Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee was the first president of the INC in 1885. Dadabhai Naoroji was an early leader but not the first president. Tilak and Gokhale were prominent leaders later.

  3. Final Answer:

    Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee → Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    First INC president = Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee ✅
Hint: Remember 'W.C. Bonnerjee' as the first INC president in 1885.
Common Mistakes: Confusing Dadabhai Naoroji or Tilak as the first president.
2. Which city hosted the first session of the Indian National Congress in 1885?
easy
A. Calcutta
B. Delhi
C. Madras
D. Bombay

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the question

    The question asks for the city where the first INC session was held in 1885.

  2. Step 2: Recall the fact

    The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1885. Other cities like Calcutta and Madras hosted later sessions.

  3. Final Answer:

    Bombay → Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    First INC session city = Bombay ✅
Hint: Associate Bombay with the start of INC in 1885.
Common Mistakes: Mistaking Calcutta or Madras as the first session venue.
3. Which of the following leaders was NOT part of the moderate faction of the Indian National Congress during 1885-1915?
easy
A. Dadabhai Naoroji
B. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
C. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
D. Pherozeshah Mehta

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the factions

    The question tests knowledge of moderate versus extremist leaders in early INC.

  2. Step 2: Analyze leaders

    Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta were moderates advocating constitutional reforms. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a leader of the extremist faction.

  3. Final Answer:

    Bal Gangadhar Tilak → Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    Moderate leaders exclude = Bal Gangadhar Tilak ✅
Hint: Remember Tilak as an extremist leader, not moderate.
Common Mistakes: Confusing Tilak as a moderate leader.
4. What was the primary demand of the Indian National Congress during its moderate phase (1885-1915)?
medium
A. Greater Indian participation in legislative councils
B. Establishment of a separate Muslim state
C. Complete independence from British rule
D. Boycott of British goods and institutions

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the moderate phase demands

    The question focuses on the early INC's political demands during 1885-1915.

  2. Step 2: Analyze options

    Moderates sought greater Indian participation in governance through legislative councils. Complete independence and boycotts were demands of later phases. The demand for a separate Muslim state came much later.

  3. Final Answer:

    Greater Indian participation in legislative councils → Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Moderate INC demand = Greater Indian participation ✅
Hint: Moderates wanted reforms, not full independence initially.
Common Mistakes: Confusing moderate demands with extremist or later demands.
5. Who was the president of the second session of the Indian National Congress held in Calcutta in 1886?
medium
A. Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee
B. Dadabhai Naoroji
C. George Yule
D. Pherozeshah Mehta

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the session

    The question asks for the president of the second INC session in Calcutta in 1886.

  2. Step 2: Recall historical fact

    Dadabhai Naoroji presided over the 1886 Calcutta session. Bonnerjee was the first president in 1885, George Yule presided in 1888, and Mehta was a later leader.

  3. Final Answer:

    Dadabhai Naoroji → Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    1886 Calcutta president = Dadabhai Naoroji ✅
Hint: 1886 Calcutta session president = Dadabhai Naoroji (second session).
Common Mistakes: Confusing with first president Bonnerjee or later presidents like George Yule.

Mock Test

Ready for a challenge?

Take a 10-minute AI-powered test with 10 questions (Easy-Medium-Hard mix) and get instant SWOT analysis of your performance!

10 Questions
5 Minutes