Consider the following statements: 1. The first woman President of the Indian National Congress was Sarojini Naidu. 2. The first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress was Badruddin Tyabji. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents19
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
As per Spectrum (pg 384):
Statement 1 is INCORRECT — and this is a classic UPSC trap based on precise wording.
The question asks about the 'first WOMAN President' of the INC.
Annie Besant (an Irish-British woman) became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1917 (Calcutta session).
Sarojini Naidu became the President in 1925 (Kanpur session), making her the first INDIAN woman President, but NOT the first woman President overall.
So the statement 'first woman President was Sarojini Naidu' is factually wrong because Annie Besant held that distinction.
Statement 2 is CORRECT: Badruddin Tyabji was the first Muslim President of the Indian National Congress.
He presided over the third session of the INC held in Madras in 1887.
Other important INC President firsts to remember:
- First President = W.C. Bonnerjee (1885, Bombay)
- First British President = George Yule (1888)
- First woman President = Annie Besant (1917)
- First Indian woman President = Sarojini Naidu (1925)
- First Muslim President = Badruddin Tyabji (1887)
- Youngest President = Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1923, at age 35).
Answer: 2 only.
UPSC creates a precision trap by asking for 'first woman President' when most students memorize Sarojini Naidu as the first Indian woman President, forgetting that Annie Besant (British) was actually the first woman President in 1917.
The question tests whether students can distinguish between 'first woman' versus 'first Indian woman' - a common UPSC technique of using precise wording to separate careful readers from those who rely on incomplete facts.
INC Presidents: Historic Firsts
Modern Indian History first woman President first Muslim President Sarojini Naidu Badruddin Tyabji
INC Presidents: Historic Firsts & UPSC Traps
Quick Revision
Annie Besant (1917) was the first woman President of INC
Sarojini Naidu (1925) was the first Indian woman President
Badruddin Tyabji (1887) was the first Muslim President
W.C. Bonnerjee (1885) was the first President overall
Context
The Indian National Congress established several historic precedents in its early leadership, breaking barriers of gender, religion, and nationality. UPSC frequently tests precise distinctions between these firsts.
Historic First Presidents
Category | Name | Year | Session Location | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First President | W.C. Bonnerjee | 1885 | Bombay | Founding session |
First Muslim President | Badruddin Tyabji | 1887 | Madras | Third session |
First British President | George Yule | 1888 | Allahabad | Fourth session |
First Woman President | Annie Besant | 1917 | Calcutta | Irish-British woman |
First Indian Woman President | Sarojini Naidu | 1925 | Kanpur | Nightingale of India |
Youngest President | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad | 1923 | Delhi | Age 35 |
Question Analysis
This 2015 question exploits the distinction between first woman vs first Indian woman President. Statement 1 fails because Annie Besant preceded Sarojini Naidu by 8 years. Statement 2 is straightforward - Badruddin Tyabji's 1887 presidency is well-established.
Classic trap: Confusing Annie Besant (first woman) with Sarojini Naidu (first Indian woman)
Word precision: 'First woman President' ≠ 'First Indian woman President'
Timeline confusion: Sarojini Naidu (1925) came 8 years after Annie Besant (1917)
Identity mix-up: Remember Annie Besant was Irish-British, not Indian
Sarojini Naidu: Life & Contributions
Modern Indian History Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu: The Nightingale of India
Key Facts
Known as Nightingale of India for her poetry
First Indian woman President of INC (1925, Kanpur)
Participated in Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement
First woman Governor of independent India (UP, 1947-49)
Overview
Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949) was a poet, freedom fighter, and political leader who broke multiple glass ceilings in Indian public life. Her dual identity as artist and activist made her unique among freedom fighters.
Major Achievements
Poetry career: Published collections like 'The Golden Threshold' and 'The Bird of Time'
Freedom struggle: Close associate of Gandhi, participated in Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements
Political leadership: Elected INC President in 1925, breaking gender barriers in Indian politics
International recognition: Represented India at various international conferences
Post-independence role: Became first woman Governor of Uttar Pradesh in 1947
Not the first woman President - that was Annie Besant (1917)
Timeline: Her presidency (1925) was during the Non-Cooperation aftermath period
Multiple firsts: First Indian woman INC President + First woman Governor post-independence
Badruddin Tyabji: Pioneer Muslim Leader
Modern Indian History Badruddin Tyabji first Muslim President
Badruddin Tyabji: First Muslim President of INC
Key Facts
First Muslim President of INC (1887, Madras session)
Prominent barrister and social reformer from Bombay
Advocated Hindu-Muslim unity and moderate constitutional methods
Historical Context
Badruddin Tyabji (1844-1906) presided over the third session of the Indian National Congress in Madras in 1887, just two years after its foundation. His election demonstrated the inclusive character of the early Congress.
Significance & Contributions
Legal career: Successful barrister who studied law in England, representing the educated Muslim elite
Social reform: Advocated education for Muslim women and opposed social orthodoxy
Political moderation: Believed in constitutional methods and gradual reform within British system
Communal harmony: His leadership showed early Congress commitment to Hindu-Muslim unity
Institutional building: Helped establish Congress as a pan-Indian organization beyond Hindu leadership
Question Connection
Tyabji's 1887 presidency is a straightforward historical fact that UPSC tests to check students' knowledge of early INC leadership diversity. Unlike the Sarojini Naidu trap, this requires simple recall.
Annie Besant: First Woman INC President
Modern Indian History Annie Besant
Annie Besant: Theosophist & Freedom Fighter
Essential Points
First woman President of INC (1917, Calcutta session)
Irish-British theosophist who championed Indian freedom
Founded Home Rule League (1916) demanding self-government
President of Theosophical Society and education reformer
Background
Annie Besant (1847-1933) was an Irish-British social reformer and theosophist who became deeply involved in Indian politics. Her 1917 INC presidency came during World War I when she demanded Home Rule for India.
Major Contributions
Home Rule Movement: Founded All India Home Rule League in 1916, demanding self-government similar to Irish model
Educational reform: Established Central Hindu College (later became BHU) and championed Indian education
Theosophical Society: Led this religious-philosophical movement that promoted Indian spiritual traditions
Women's rights: Advocated education and political participation for women globally
Internment: Briefly imprisoned by British authorities in 1917, which increased her popularity
UPSC Relevance
Annie Besant is the key to cracking questions about first woman INC President. Her foreign origin (Irish-British) and theosophical background make her memorable, while her Home Rule League connects her to the freedom struggle narrative.
Timeline: Annie Besant (1917) → Sarojini Naidu (1925) = 8-year gap
Origin: Annie = Foreign woman, Sarojini = Indian woman
Movement: Annie = Home Rule, Sarojini = Gandhian phase