Indian Independence Movement and INC History

The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885. The first session was held in Bombay from December 28-31, 1885, with AO Hume as the key organizer. This is a foundational fact in modern Indian history and the independence movement.

Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee (spelled variously as Wyomesh Chandra Bannerjee) was the first president of the Indian National Congress in 1885. AO Hume was the founder-organizer but not the president. Dadabhai Naoroji became president later (1886, 1893, 1906).

Annie Besant became the first woman president of the Indian National Congress in 1917 at the Calcutta session. Sarojini Naidu followed later (1925). Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi were Congress presidents but came much later in the post-independence era.

Mahatma Gandhi became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1924 and presided over the Belgaum session. This was a significant period in the independence movement where Gandhi's leadership was pivotal. The other years (1925-1927) are incorrect as Gandhi was not the INC President during those years.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was indeed the President of INC - he was elected President in 1938 (Haripura session) and again in 1939 (Tripuri session). His presidency was marked by ideological differences with Gandhi, leading to his resignation and formation of the Forward Bloc.

Vasco da Gama was the first European to reach India by sea in 1498, landing at Calicut. This established the sea route from Europe to India, though India had been known to other civilizations for millennia.