UPSC Prelims 2014 Q82: Modern History – Gandhian Mass Movements (1915 - 1942)
The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom
Movement because the
- (a) attainment of Self - Government was declared as the objective of the Congress
- (b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress
- (c) Non - Cooperation Movement was launched
- (d) decision to participate in the Round Table Conference in London was taken
Answer: (b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress
Explanation
Lahore Session of the Congress, 1929
Held in December 1929, with Jawaharlal Nehru as President.
| Decision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Goal | Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) adopted |
| Flag | Tricolour hoisted on the bank of the Ravi at midnight, 31 December 1929 |
| Independence Day | 26 January 1930 to be observed as the first one |
| Next step | Working Committee authorised to launch Civil Disobedience |
| Round Table Conference | To be boycotted |
The options checked:
| Option | Actual session |
|---|---|
| (a) Self-Government declared as the objective | Calcutta, 1906 |
| (b) Poorna Swaraj adopted as the goal | Lahore, 1929 |
| (c) Non-Cooperation Movement launched | Calcutta and Nagpur, 1920 |
| (d) Decision to participate in the Round Table Conference | After the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, 1931 |
Answer: (b) attainment of Poorna Swaraj was adopted as the goal of the Congress.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Self-Government (Swaraj) was declared the objective at Calcutta in 1906.
- (b) CORRECT. The 1929 Lahore Session adopted Poorna Swaraj as the goal.
- (c) Incorrect. The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920.
- (d) Incorrect. The Lahore Session decided to boycott the Round Table Conference.
Key point
Lahore Session (December 1929, President Jawaharlal Nehru): Poorna Swaraj resolution; 26 January 1930 as Independence Day; Civil Disobedience authorised.
Remember
Lahore 1929 = Poorna Swaraj, Nehru.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Swaraj (1906) with Poorna Swaraj (1929).
- Forgetting why 26 January was later chosen as Republic Day.
- Naming Gandhi as President of the Lahore Session; it was Nehru.
Exam tip
Lahore 1929 leads to 26 January. That date links the session to the Republic.
Sources
- Bipan Chandra — India's Struggle for Independence, Ch 21 (The Run-up to Civil Disobedience)
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India (Lahore Session, 1929)