History

Indian National Congress: Early Phase, 1885-1919

The Indian National Congress was founded on 28 December 1885 in Bombay, with A. O. Hume playing a central role and W. C. Bonnerjee as its first president. Its early phase was led by Moderates who relied on petitions and constitutional methods.

Last reviewed 2026-10-15

Key events

1885: first session in Bombay with 72 delegates.
Moderates: Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Pherozeshah Mehta. They sought reform through petitions and prayers.
Extremists (Lal-Bal-Pal): Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal. They favoured swaraj and direct action.
1905: Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon, followed by the Swadeshi movement.
1906: Muslim League founded at Dhaka.
1907: Surat Split between Moderates and Extremists.
1909: Morley-Minto Reforms introduced separate electorates.
1916: Lucknow Pact between the Congress and the Muslim League, with the Home Rule movements led by Tilak and Annie Besant.

Frequently asked questions

Who was the first president of the Indian National Congress?

W. C. Bonnerjee.

When was the Partition of Bengal announced?

In 1905, under Lord Curzon.

What happened at Surat in 1907?

The Congress split between Moderates and Extremists.