Early Nationalism & INC Formation — Set 1

Correct Answer: D. D. Calcutta

The correct answer is D. Calcutta. The Brahmo Samaj was founded in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1828 by Ram Mohan Roy to promote monotheism, rationalism, and social reforms including the abolition of Sati. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: D. D. Calcutta

The correct answer is D. Calcutta. The Brahmo Samaj was founded in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1828 by Ram Mohan Roy to promote monotheism, rationalism, and social reforms including the abolition of Sati. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: A. A. Calcutta

The correct answer is A. Calcutta. The Brahmo Samaj was founded in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1828 by Ram Mohan Roy to promote monotheism, rationalism, and social reforms including the abolition of Sati. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: C. 1885

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (Mumbai). A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, is considered the founder. The first session was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee. The initial demands were modest, focusing on civil services reform, consultative role in legislation, and removal of economic grievances. It later became the vehicle for independence struggle.

Correct Answer: B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Bal Gangadhar Tilak is called the 'Father of Indian Unrest' by British writer Valentine Chirol for his radical nationalist activities. Tilak was also known as 'Lokmanya' (respected by the people). He advocated Swaraj (self-rule) as a birthright and used the Ganesh festival and Shivaji festival to mobilize the masses. His famous slogan was 'Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.'

Correct Answer: B. British systematically drained India's wealth to Britain

Dadabhai Naoroji's Drain Theory (outlined in his 1901 book 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India') argued that British rule systematically drained India's wealth through: payment for British civil and military services, profits of British companies, interest on British loans, and repatriation of savings. He estimated the annual drain at Rs 200-300 million. This was a major intellectual contribution to the nationalist movement.

Correct Answer: B. Bombay (Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College)

The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay (Mumbai) on December 28-30, 1885. It was attended by 72 delegates from across India. The session was presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, a lawyer from Bengal. Originally planned for Pune, it was shifted to Bombay due to a cholera epidemic in Pune.

Correct Answer: B. Servants of India Society

Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 to train Indians for public service and national work. The society was dedicated to the service of India and aimed to create a class of selfless workers. Gokhale was also Mahatma Gandhi's political mentor. He was a moderate leader who believed in constitutional methods and gradual reform through petitions and persuasion.

Correct Answer: C. Annie Besant

Annie Besant became the first woman President of the Indian National Congress in 1917 at the Calcutta session. She was an Irish theosophist who came to India and became active in the nationalist movement. She founded the Home Rule League in 1916 and the newspaper 'New India.' Sarojini Naidu became the first Indian woman President of INC in 1925 at the Kanpur session.

Correct Answer: B. Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru presided over the historic Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress in December 1929 where the resolution for Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) was passed. January 26, 1930 was declared as Independence Day to be celebrated every year. The Congress then launched the Civil Disobedience Movement starting with Dandi March in March 1930.