MCQ Detailed View

The first meeting of the Indian National Congress (INC) took place in Bombay (now Mumbai) from December 28 to 31, 1885. This session marked the beginning of organized political activism in India under British rule.

The meeting was initially planned for Poona (Pune) but was shifted to Bombay due to a cholera outbreak. Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, played a key role in organizing the session. The inaugural session was attended by 72 delegates representing different parts of India, and Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee was elected as its first president.

Key Facts about the First INC Meeting:

• Year: 1885


• Location: Bombay (Mumbai)


• Founder/Organizer: Allan Octavian Hume


• First President: Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee


• Number of Delegates: 72


• Purpose: Political dialogue and reform demands under British rule


• Historical Significance: Foundation of organized nationalist movement in India

The first INC session in Bombay laid the foundation for India’s freedom movement, providing a platform for Indians to voice concerns, discuss reforms, and gradually build a structured political strategy against colonial rule.