The Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress (1929) is very important in history, because 1. The Congress passed a resolution demanding complete independence 2. The rift between the extremists and moderates was resolved in that Session 3. A resolution was passed rejecting the two-nation theory in that Session Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents15
- A1 only
- B2 and 3
- C1 and 3
- DNone of the above
Show answer
Answer: (A) 1 only
The Lahore Session of Congress (December 1929) was historic because:
Statement 1 correct — Congress passed the 'Purna Swaraj' (Complete Independence) resolution under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru.
The Indian National Flag was unfurled on the banks of the Ravi river on 31st December 1929, and 26th January 1930 was celebrated as the first 'Independence Day'.
Statement 2 is wrong — the extremist-moderate rift was resolved much earlier at the Lucknow Session of 1916.
Statement 3 is wrong — no such resolution about the two-nation theory was passed at Lahore.
Answer: 1 only.
The Lahore Session (1929) marked the Congress's shift from seeking Dominion Status to demanding complete independence, making it a watershed moment in the freedom struggle.
The extremist-moderate split was actually healed at the Lucknow Session in 1916, not 1929, and the two-nation theory was not even a prominent issue in 1929 to warrant a Congress resolution against it.
Lahore Congress Session 1929
Modern Indian History Lahore Session 1929 complete independence
Lahore Congress Session 1929: The Purna Swaraj Moment
December 1929 — Congress passed Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) resolution at Lahore
Jawaharlal Nehru was the Congress President at this historic session
26th January 1930 was declared as first Independence Day of India
Indian National Flag was unfurled on banks of River Ravi on 31st December 1929
Historic Significance
The Lahore Session marked Congress's shift from demanding Dominion Status to Complete Independence. Under Jawaharlal Nehru's presidency, this session became the turning point in India's freedom struggle.
Key Decisions & Events
Purna Swaraj resolution passed — Congress now demanded complete independence, not dominion status
26th January 1930 declared as Independence Day — to be celebrated annually until freedom was achieved
Tricolor flag unfurled on River Ravi banks on 31st December 1929 by Nehru
Civil Disobedience Movement preparations began — Gandhi was authorized to launch the movement
Constructive Programme emphasized — khadi, removal of untouchability, Hindu-Muslim unity
Timeline of Events
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**December 1929**
Lahore Congress Session begins under Nehru's presidency`"]
s2["`**Purna Swaraj Resolution**
Congress passes Complete Independence resolution`"]
s3["`**31st December 1929**
Indian National Flag unfurled on River Ravi banks`"]
s4["`**26th January 1930**
First Independence Day celebrated across India`"]
s5["`**March 1930**
Gandhi launches Salt Satyagraha from this mandate`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Trap: Statement 2 claims extremist-moderate rift was resolved at Lahore 1929 — actually resolved at Lucknow 1916
Trap: Statement 3 mentions two-nation theory resolution at Lahore — no such resolution was passed there
Confusion: Don't mix Lahore 1929 (Purna Swaraj) with Lahore 1940 (Muslim League's Pakistan resolution)
President confusion: Jawaharlal Nehru was President in 1929, not Gandhi or his father Motilal
Extremist-Moderate Split & Reunion
Modern Indian History extremists moderates rift
Extremist-Moderate Split (1907) & Reunion (1916)
Surat Split 1907 — Congress divided into Extremists and Moderates over methods
Lucknow Session 1916 — Both factions reunited under Annie Besant's efforts
Home Rule Movement provided the platform for reunion and joint action
Extremists vs Moderates
Aspect | Moderates | Extremists |
|---|---|---|
Leaders | Dadabhai Naoroji, Gokhale | Bal-Pal-Lal (Tilak, Lajpat Rai, Bipin Pal) |
Methods | Constitutional, petitions | Boycott, Swadeshi, mass movements |
Goal | Self-government within British Empire | Swaraj (complete self-rule) |
Approach | Gradual reform, cooperation | Immediate action, confrontation |
Support Base | English-educated elite | Common masses, students |
Split to Reunion Timeline
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**1905-1906**
Swadeshi Movement creates ideological differences`"]
s2["`**Surat 1907**
Congress splits over presidential election dispute`"]
s3["`**1907-1915**
Separate functioning — Moderates control Congress, Extremists work independently`"]
s4["`**1914-1916**
Home Rule Movement by Annie Besant and Tilak creates common platform`"]
s5["`**Lucknow 1916**
Reunion achieved — both factions join Congress again`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Factors Leading to Reunion
World War I context — British difficulties created opportunities for united action
Annie Besant's Home Rule League — provided moderate platform for extremist goals
Tilak's return from imprisonment in 1914 — willing to work within Congress framework
Lucknow Pact 1916 — Hindu-Muslim unity encouraged Congress unity too
Common enemy approach — focus on British rule rather than internal differences
Two-Nation Theory Development
Modern Indian History two-nation theory
Two-Nation Theory: Origins & Development
V.D. Savarkar first articulated two-nation theory in 1937 — Hindus and Muslims as separate nations
Jinnah adopted the theory and Muslim League passed Lahore Resolution 1940 demanding Pakistan
Congress consistently opposed the two-nation theory throughout the freedom struggle
Core Concept
The Two-Nation Theory argued that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations with distinct religions, cultures, and social customs, and therefore could not coexist in a single country.
Key Milestones in Two-Nation Theory
Year | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
1937 | Savarkar's Presidential Address | First formal articulation of two-nation concept |
1940 | Lahore Resolution by Muslim League | Demand for Pakistan based on two-nation theory |
1942-1947 | Jinnah's advocacy | Made it central to Muslim League's political strategy |
1947 | Partition of India | Two-nation theory culminates in creation of Pakistan |
Congress Response
Consistent opposition — Congress never accepted the two-nation theory premise
Secular nationalism — Congress maintained India was one nation with religious diversity
Composite culture argument — Emphasized shared history, language, and cultural synthesis
Gandhi's position — Rejected partition, believed in Hindu-Muslim unity
Nehru's stance — Advocated secular, multi-religious Indian nationhood
Date confusion: Two-nation theory originated in 1937, not 1929 — Lahore Congress couldn't have rejected it
Attribution error: Savarkar first, then Jinnah adopted it — not a Muslim League original idea
Resolution confusion: Lahore 1940 was Muslim League's Pakistan resolution, not Congress resolution
Major Congress Sessions Timeline
Modern Indian History
Major Congress Sessions: Key Decisions & Resolutions
Lucknow 1916 — Extremist-Moderate reunion and Hindu-Muslim Pact
Lahore 1929 — Purna Swaraj resolution under Nehru
Nagpur 1920 — Non-cooperation resolution under Gandhi's leadership
Karachi 1931 — Fundamental Rights and economic policy resolution
Historic Congress Sessions
Session | Year | President | Major Decision/Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
Lucknow | 1916 | A.C. Mazumdar | Extremist-Moderate reunion, Lucknow Pact with Muslim League |
Nagpur | 1920 | C. Vijayaraghavachariar | Non-Cooperation Movement approved, Gandhi's programme |
Lahore | 1929 | Jawaharlal Nehru | Purna Swaraj resolution, Complete Independence demand |
Karachi | 1931 | Vallabhbhai Patel | Fundamental Rights resolution, economic policy |
Tripuri | 1939 | Subhas Chandra Bose | Bose vs Gandhi conflict, Bose's resignation follows |
Congress Evolution Through Sessions
# Congress Sessions
## Unity Phases
- Lucknow 1916 (Reunion)
- Lahore 1929 (Common Goal)
- Karachi 1931 (Rights Charter)
## Movement Launches
- Nagpur 1920 (Non-cooperation)
- Lahore 1929 (Civil Disobedience prep)
## Leadership Changes
- Nehru era begins 1929
- Bose conflict 1939
- Gandhi's influence peaks 1920s