Correct option is C
The correct answer is (c) Use of Swadeshi and Boycott.
The 1905 Banaras Session of the Indian National Congress was held in response to the British announcement of the partition of Bengal, which was officially declared in July 1905.
The partition was seen as a strategy by the British to divide the Hindus and Muslims in Bengal, weaken nationalist movements, and strengthen colonial control.
During this session, the INC, led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and other prominent leaders, strongly debated strategies for resisting the partition.
The main strategy discussed was the Swadeshi Movement (promotion of Indian goods) and the Boycott Movement (boycotting British goods and services), both of which were intended to hurt the British economically and foster self-reliance.
The session also called for the revival of the Swadeshi Movement and the Boycott of foreign goods, which had been a central aspect of previous struggles like the 1905 Bengal Partition Movement.
Information Booster:
Bengal Partition was announced on July 20, 1905, and was immediately met with widespread protests.
The Swadeshi Movement was launched as a response to this partition, especially in Bengal, where large-scale boycotts of British goods were organized.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai were among the leaders who supported and led the Swadeshi Movement during this period.
The 1905 Banaras Session was an important landmark in the INC's history, as it marked a shift from petitions and moderation towards more active resistance.
The session was also notable for the strong emotional and political backlash against British attempts to divide India along religious lines.
Additional Information:
Important Sessions of the Indian National Congress (INC)
| Session | Year | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| First Session | 1885 | The first meeting of the INC was held in Bombay, with Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee as president. The focus was on presenting grievances to the British government. |
| Surat Session | 1907 | The session marked the split between the Moderates (led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale) and the Extremists (led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak), mainly over differences in strategy. |
| Lucknow Session | 1916 | The Home Rule Movement led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant gained strength. The INC and Muslim League reached an agreement to work together (Lucknow Pact). |
| Calcutta Session | 1920 | Mahatma Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, calling for the boycott of British institutions and goods in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. |
| Nagpur Session | 1920 | The INC formally adopted the Non-Cooperation Movement as part of its agenda under the leadership of Gandhi. |
| Karachi Session | 1931 | Led by Jawaharlal Nehru, the session passed the Objective Resolution, laying the foundation for the Indian Constitution. |
| Bombay Session | 1942 | The Quit India Movement was launched, demanding an immediate end to British rule in India. This marked the most radical phase of India’s freedom struggle. |
| New Delhi Session | 1947 | The final session before India gained independence, held just months before August 15, 1947, which saw the transfer of power. |
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