Who was the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress (INC)?

Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress (INC), elected in 1887 at the Madras session. His election marked a remarkable moment in India’s freedom struggle, symbolizing unity among different religious and social communities under the shared goal of independence from British colonial rule. Born in 1844 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Badruddin Tyabji was among the earliest Indians to pursue higher education in England, where he studied law at the University of London and became one of the first Indian barristers.

Upon returning to India, he became a respected advocate and later a Judge of the Bombay High Court—the first Muslim to hold that position. Tyabji believed deeply in communal harmony and national unity. During his presidency of the Congress, he worked tirelessly to encourage Muslims to participate actively in the national movement, dispelling the British narrative that India’s communities could not coexist politically.

Badruddin Tyabji’s leadership represented an early model of inclusive politics in India. He emphasized education, social reform, and women’s rights, making him a progressive thinker far ahead of his time. His presidency not only strengthened the Indian National Congress but also inspired future Muslim leaders like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to take part in the freedom movement.

In General Knowledge MCQs, Badruddin Tyabji’s name frequently appears because his role reflects the secular and united foundations of India’s independence struggle. Knowing that Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress is an essential part of Indian political history and a key fact for competitive exams.