The oppressive British colonial rule led to the growth of nationalism in India. With reference to this, answer the following questions:
Who presided over the second session of the Indian National Congress? Mention any three objectives of the Congress.
Topic: Foundation and objectives of the Congress
Answer
Dadabhai Naoroji presided over the second session of the Indian National Congress, held at Calcutta in 1886.
Three objectives of the Congress: (1) To promote friendly relations and a sense of national unity among the nationalist workers of the different parts of the country. (2) To formulate popular demands and present them before the Government, and to secure a greater share for Indians in the administration. (3) To educate and organise public opinion, and to develop and consolidate a feeling of national unity irrespective of caste, religion or province.
Four marks: one for the name and one for each objective. Fix the early presidents in order — W.C. Bonnerjee presided over the FIRST session (Bombay, 1885) and Dadabhai Naoroji over the SECOND (Calcutta, 1886). The question is precisely designed to catch anyone who remembers only the first. For the objectives, give three distinct aims rather than three phrasings of "unity"; adding the place and year of the session costs nothing and shows precision.