The question asks to identify the president of the second session of the Indian National Congress (INC) held in Calcutta in 1886. This requires knowledge of the early history of the INC and its key leaders.
Correct Option: C) Dadabhai Naoroji was the president of the second session of the Indian National Congress held in Calcutta in 1886. He presided over the INC three times in total (1886, 1893, and 1906).
The question asks to identify the economic critique of British rule by Dadabhai Naoroji that significantly influenced the Indian National Congress. We need to recall the major economic theories and policies associated with British India and their proponents.
D) Drain of Wealth theory — Dadabhai Naoroji meticulously explained how India's wealth was being transferred to Britain through various means like salaries and pensions of British officials, profits of British companies, interest on loans, and home charges, without any corresponding material or economic benefit to India. This theory was a cornerstone of early Indian nationalism and greatly influenced the economic thinking of the Indian National Congress.
The question asks about the primary methods of political action employed by the Moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress (INC) during its early years (1885-1905). This period is characterized by the dominance of Moderate ideology, which believed in constitutional methods to achieve political reforms.
Therefore, Option A accurately describes the primary methods used by the Moderate leaders during the specified period.
A) Petitions, prayers, resolutions and constitutional agitation. The Moderate leaders of the INC, during their early phase (1885-1905), firmly believed in using constitutional and peaceful means to achieve their political objectives. They submitted petitions, passed resolutions, and made appeals to the British government and Parliament, hoping to persuade them through reasoned arguments and public opinion.
The question asks to identify a leader described by historian Bipan Chandra as belonging to the 'Moderate' phase of the Indian National Congress. This requires knowledge of the different phases of the Congress movement and the prominent leaders associated with each phase, particularly as categorized by historians like Bipan Chandra.
B) Gopal Krishna Gokhale — Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a prominent leader of the Moderate faction of the Indian National Congress. He was known for his emphasis on constitutional agitation, social reform, and his belief in the benevolent intentions of the British. Bipan Chandra, in his historical works, consistently places Gokhale among the key Moderate leaders.
The question asks to identify the Congress leader who famously declared "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!". This is a direct recall question from the history of the Indian freedom struggle, specifically related to the rise of extremist nationalism.
Correct Option: D) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a towering figure in the Indian independence movement, is widely credited with the powerful declaration, "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!" This slogan encapsulated the growing demand for self-rule and became a popular rallying cry during the early 20th century. Tilak was a key leader of the extremist faction within the Indian National Congress, advocating for more assertive methods to achieve independence.
The question asks about the first time the word 'Swaraj' was used in the Congress platform and by whom. This requires knowledge of specific Indian National Congress sessions and their key resolutions/presidents.
The term 'Swaraj' (self-rule) was first explicitly articulated as the goal of the Indian National Congress at the Calcutta Session of 1906. This session was presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji, often referred to as the 'Grand Old Man of India'. He declared 'Swaraj' as the objective of the Congress, though its exact meaning (complete independence vs. self-government within the British Empire) was still debated.
C) Calcutta 1906 by Dadabhai Naoroji is correct. Dadabhai Naoroji, in his presidential address at the 1906 Calcutta Session, declared 'Swaraj' as the political goal of India, marking its first official use in the Congress platform.