The Foundation Years
Demand for Equitable Government through Administrative Reforms Indian National Congress Concern for the removal of Poverty.
Resolution deploring :
- The growing impoverishment of the people
- The wealth of the country being drained away
- The condition of the ryots steadily deterioration since 1848 nearly 40 million people having only one meal a day and sometimes not even that
- Annual Sessions of the Congress Party held in different venues every year
- Provincial Conferences organized to foster country-wide involvement
- Concrete steps taken to organize Public Opinion in Great Britain in favor of the Indian viewpoint
- Thrust on seeking Representation in Government
- Madan Mohan Malaviya – “No taxation without representation”
| July 1889 Formation of British Committee of the Indian National Congress with Offices in London to put pressure on Parliament in Great Britian.1892 Dadabhai Naoroji elected to British Parliament in Great Britian.1892 India Councils Act a major victory for Congress but it still did not envisage elected representation |
| 1885 | BOMBAY | W. C. BONNERJEE |
| 1886 | CALCUTTA | DADABHAI NAOROJI |
| 1887 | MADRAS | BADRUDDIN TYABJI |
| 1888 | ALLAHABAD | GEORGE YULE |
| 1889 | BOMBAY | SIR WILLIAM WEDDERBURN |
| 1890 | CALCUTTA | SIR PHEROZESHAH MEHTA |
| 1891 | NAGPUR | P. ANANDA CHARLU |
| 1892 | ALLAHABAD | W. C. BONNERJEE |
| 1893 | LAHORE | DADABHAI NAOROJI |
| 1894 | MADRAS | ALFRED WEBB |
Consolidation And Beyond
- Demand for Fiscal Responsibility
- Demand for Indianisation of Services
- Protest against economic emasculation
- Government insensitive to Natural disasters
- Famine Plague Floods
- Lokmanya Tilak works for the famine affected polpulace of Pune – accused of inciting violence by his writings in “Kesari” – imprisoned
- The Curzon Vice-Royalty – many repressive measaures
- Sedition Act curbing the elementary liberties of the people
- Official Secrets Act with burden of proof of innocence shifted onto the accused
- Protest against proposed Partition of Bengal along communal lines
| 1906 Demand for Swaraj Boycott of British Goods 1907 First Split in Congress between Moderates and Extremists – the Moderates retain control of the Organization 1909 Minto-Morley Reforms creating the Indian Councils gave representation but also gave impetus to the virus of Communalism by providing for separate electorates 1909 First signs of strain in Hindu-Muslim relations 1911 The partition of Bengal is annulled |
| 1905 | BENARES | GOPAL KRISHNA GOKHALE |
| 1906 | CALCUTTA | DADABHAI NAOROJI |
| 1907 | SURAT | RASHBIHARI GHOSH |
| 1908 | MADRAS | RASHBIHARI GHOSH |
| 1909 | LAHORE | PT MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA |
| 1910 | ALLAHABAD | SIR WILLIAM WEDDERBURN |
| 1911 | CALCUTTA | PT BISHAN NARAYAN DAR |
| 1912 | BANKIPUR | R. N. MUDHOLKAR |
| 1913 | KARACH | NAWAB SYED MOHD BAHADUR |
| 1914 | MADRAS | BHUPENDRA NATH BOSE |
The Foundations Of Independent India
- The Home Rule Movement
- The Advent Of Gandhi
- The Khilafat Movement
- The Non-Cooperation Movement
| 1916 Lucknow Pact between the Congress and the Muslim league 1917 Proposal for a Congress Flag (later to become the National Tricolour) 1917 Principle of Linguisitic Division accepted – foundation for the eventual creation of states by linguistic identity 1917 Gandhiji introduces Satyagraha as a potent weapon of political protest in Champaran 1918 Satyagraha in Gujarat successful 1919 Gandhiji organizes countrywide Satyagraha against the RowlattAct 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre 1919 Gandhiji organizes countrywide Satyagraha against the RowlattAct 1920 Khilafat Movement 1920 Gandhiji tours the country to organize the Non-Cooperation Movement 1920 The Congress becomes a Mass Movement 1920 The Country United under Mahatma Gandhi 1922 Gandhiji arrested 1924 Gandhiji’s 21 day fast against Communal Disturbances |
| 1915 | BOMBAY | LORD S.P. SINHA |
| 1916 | LUCKNOW | AMBICA CHARAN MAZUMDAR |
| 1917 | CALCUTTA | DR ANNIE BESANT |
| 1918 | BOMBAY | SYED HASAN IMAM |
| 1918 | DELHI | PT MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA |
| 1919 | AMRITSAR | PT MOTILAL NEHRU |
| 1920 | CALCUTTA | LALA LAJPAT RAI |
| 1920 | NAGPUR | C. VIJAYARAGHAVACHARIAR |
| 1921 | AHMEDABAD | HAKIM AJMAL KHAN |
| 1922 | GAYA | DESHBANDHU CHITTARANJAN DAS |
| 1923 | COCANADA | MAULANA MOHD ALI |
| 1923 | DELHI | MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD |
| 1924 | BELGAUM | MAHATMA GANDHI |
The Demand For Complete Independence
- Gandhi – Irwin Pact
- Definition Of Fundamental Rights
| 1925 Adoption of Hindi as the Official Language for the AICC Sessions 1926 Announcement of Simon Commission for Proposing Constitutional Reforms for India 1927 Resolution boycotting the Simon Commission 1928 Successful All India Hartal on arrival of Simon Commission 1928 All Party Committee appointed under Pt Motilal Nehru to draft a Consititution for Independent India 1928 Bardoli Satyagraha successful under Sardar Patel 1929 Irwin-Gandhi talks 1929 Resolution demanding Complete Independence 1930 Adoption of 26th January as “Purna Swaraj Day” 1930 Call for Civil Disobedience 1930 Salt Satyagraha – Dandi March 1930 All major Congress Leaders arrested 1930 AICC Working Committee declared unlawful body 1930 Congress opposition to Round table Conference 1931 Fundamental Rights defined 1931 AICC Working Committee Members released – Congress invited by Viceroy to join deliberations for the future of India 1931 Gandhi authorised to negotiate on behalf of the Congress 1931 Gandhi – Irwin Pact |
| 1925 | KANPUR | SAROJINI NAIDU |
| 1926 | GAUHATI | S. SRINIVASA IYENGAR |
| 1927 | MADRAS | DR MUKHTAR AHMED ANSARI |
| 1928 | CALCUTTA | PT MOTILAL NEHRU |
| 1929 | LAHORE | PT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU |
| 1931 | KARACHI | SARDAR VALLABHABHAI PATEL |
| 1932 | DELHI | PT MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA |
| 1933 | CALCUTTA | MRS NELLIE SENGUPTA |
| 1934 | BOMBAY | DR RAJENDRA PRASAD |
The Final Stage
- The Demand For Immediate Freedom
- Mass Satyagraha
| 1935 The Government of India Act 1935 Gandhiji decides to concentrate on Social Reform 1935 Congress condemns the new Constitution but decides to contest Elections 1936 Nehru’s Presidential address condemns Fascism 1937 Congress wins Elections in 5 out of 9 Provinces 1939 Resignation of Congress Ministries and withdrawal from the Legislative Process 1939 Demand for a Constituent assembly to be elected by Universal Franchise 1940 Non-Cooperation in the War Effort 1940 Call for a National Government 1940 9th August 1942 Quit India Resolution 1940 Mass Arrests leading to All India Public Protest 1943-44 Allied victories in the war leading to intransigent British position 1943-44 Gandhiji and Congress leaders released from Prison but British refuse to negotiate 1943-44 Jinnah adamant on Partition 1945 Simla Conference fails 1946 INA Trial 1946 Naval Mutiny 1946 Cabinet Mission to decide fate of India 1946 Congress wins an overwhelming majority in Elections to the Constitutional Assembly 1931-32 Repression by the British and resumption of the Struggle. Gandhiji arrested 1932 Poona Agreement guaranteeing Reserved Seats for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes 1933 Gandhiji on fast for 21 days for the cause of the Harijans 1934 Gandhiji withdraws from the Congress 1934 Congress Constitution amended to make Non-Violence and Khadi its fundamental creeds |
| 1935 | LUCKNOW | PT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU |
| 1936 | FAIZPUR | PT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU |
| 1937 | ||
| 1938 | ||
| 1939 | HARIPURA | SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE |
| 1940 | TRIPURA | SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE |
| 1941 | ||
| 1942 | ||
| 1943 | ||
| 1944 | ||
| 1945 | MEERUT | ACHARYA J.B. KRIPALANI |
| 1946 | ||
| 1947 |
After Freedom
The Congress Message Enunciated By Pt Nehru – “Political Freedom Having Been Attained Through Non-Violent Action Under The Leadership Of Gandhi, The National Congress Now Has To Labour For The Attainment Of Social And Economic Freedom So That Progress And Equal Opportunity May Come To All The People Of India Without Any Distinction Of Race Or Religion”
- The Demand For Immediate Freedom
- Mass Satyagraha
| 1955 Resolution seeking to introduce Planning for a Socialistic Pattern of Society1955 Concept of economic and social reconstruction1964 Demise of Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 1948 | JAIPUR | DR. PATTABHI SITARAMAYYA |
| 1950 | NASIK | PURSHOTTAM DAS TANDON |
| 1951 | NEW DELHI | PT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU |
| 1953 | HYDERABAD | PT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU |
| 1954 | KALYANI | PT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU |
Towards Socialism
| 1955 | AVADI | U.N. DHEBAR |
| 1956 | AMRITSAR | U.N. DHEBAR |
| 1957 | INDORE | U.N. DHEBAR |
| 1959 | NAGPUR | U.N. DHEBAR |
| 1960 | BANGALORE | NEELAM SANJEEVA REDDY |
| 1961 | BHAVNAGAR | NEELAM SANJEEVA REDDY |
| 1962 | PATNA | NEELAM SANJEEVA REDDY |
| 1964 | BHUBANESHWAR | K. KAMARAJ |
The Advent Of Smt Indira Gandhi
- The Demand For Immediate Freedom
- Mass Satyagraha
| 1955 Resolution seeking to introduce Planning for a Socialistic Pattern of Society1955 Concept of economic and social reconstruction1964 Demise of Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru |
| 1948 | JAIPUR | DR. PATTABHI SITARAMAYYA |
| 1950 | NASIK | PURSHOTTAM DAS TANDON |
| 1951 | NEW DELHI | PT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU |
| 1953 | HYDERABAD | PT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU |
| 1954 | KALYANI | PT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU |
Towards Socialism
| 1955 | AVADI | U.N. DHEBAR |
| 1956 | AMRITSAR | U.N. DHEBAR |
| 1957 | INDORE | U.N. DHEBAR |
| 1959 | NAGPUR | U.N. DHEBAR |
| 1960 | BANGALORE | NEELAM SANJEEVA REDDY |
| 1961 | BHAVNAGAR | NEELAM SANJEEVA REDDY |
| 1962 | PATNA | NEELAM SANJEEVA REDDY |
| 1964 | BHUBANESHWAR | K. KAMARAJ |
The Advent Of Smt Indira Gandhi
- The Demand For Immediate Freedom
- Mass Satyagraha
| 1965 Demise of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri 1965 Smt Indira Gandhi chosen as Prime Minister 1969 Bank Nationalization 1969 Abolition of the Princes 1969 Split in Congress over the Election of the President of India 1971 Mid-Term Poll swept by Smt. Indira Gandhi 1972 Congress gets massive victories in state elections 1975 Imposition of Emergency 1977 Loss in General Elections 1977 Congress for Democracy splits the party 1978 Split in Congress 1978 Smt Indira Gandhi sweeps state elections in Andhra and Karnataka 1980 Indira Gandhi sweeps back to power with over 300 seats in the Lok Sabha 31st October 1984 Martyrdom of Smt Indira Gandhi |
| 1965 | DURGAPUR | K.KAMARAJ |
| 1966 | JAIPUR K. | KAMARAJ |
| 1968 | HYDERABAD | S. NIJALINGAPPA |
| 1969 | FARIDABAD | S. NIJALINGAPPA |
| 1969 | BOMBAY | JAGJIVAN RAM |
| 1971 | ||
| 1972 | CALCUTTA | DR. SHANKAR DAYAL SHARMA |
| 1975 | CHANDIGARH | DEV KANT BOROOAH |
| 1977 | ||
| 1978 | NEW DELHI | INDIRA GANDHI |
| 1980 | INDIRA GANDHI | |
| 1983 | CALCUTTA | |
| 1984 |
Towards The Twenty First Century
- 1984 Shri Rajiv Gandhi leads the Congress to an unprecedented Victory of 401 seats in the Lok Sabha
- 1984 Shri Rajiv Gandhi leads the Congress to an unprecedented Victory of 401 seats in the Lok Sabha
Attempt to solve long pending disputes :
- Mizo Accord
- Assam Accord
- Punjab Accord
- Historic visit to China
| 1965 | DURGAPUR | K.KAMARAJ |
“A century of achievements ends. A century of endeavour beckons to us. Our resplendent civilization with unbroken continuity from the third millennium B.C. looks ahead to peaks of excellence in the third millennium A.D.
It fails to us to work for India’s greatness. A great country is not one which merely has a great past, Out of that past must arise a glorious future.
Let us build an India.
- Proud of her independence;
- powerful in defence of her freedom;
- strong, self-reliant in agriculture, industry and front-rank technology;
- united by bonds transcending barriers of caste, creed and region;
- liberated from the bondage of poverty, and of social and economic inequality;
An India
- disciplined & efficient;
- fortified by ethical and spiritual values;
- a fearless force for peace on earth;
- the School of the world, blending the inner repose of the spirit with material progress;
- a new civilization, with the strength of our heritage, the creativity of the spring time of youth and the unconquerable spirit of our people.
Great achievements demand great sacrifices. Sacrifices not only from our generation and generations gone by, but also from generations to come.Civilizations are not built by just one or two generations. Civilizations are built by the ceaseless toil of a succession of generations. With softness and sloth, civilizations succumb. Let us beware of decadence.We must commit ourselves to the demanding task of making India a mighty power in the World, with all the strength and the compassion of her great culture.
To this cause, I pledge myself.”
From the Presidential Address of Shri Rajiv Gandhi at Bombay
1984 Shri Rajiv Gandhi leads the Congress to an unprecedented Victory of 401 seats in the Lok Sabha
1991 Martyrdom of Shri Rajiv Gandhi while campaigning during Lok Sabha Elections
The Interim Years
| 1991 Congress comes to power on sympathy vote after the martyrdom of Shri Rajiv Gandhi 1991 P.V. Narasimha Rao chosen Congress Prime Minister 1991 Dr Manmohan Singh as Finance Minister takes first steps towards opening up the economy and making it globally competitive 1996 Congress loses General Elections 1996 P.V. Narasimha Rao resigns from Presidentship of Party 1996 Sitaram Kesri chosen as President 1997 IN THE RUN UP TO THE GENERAL ELECTIONS CONGRESS DEMORALISED AND LEADERS THREATENING TO LEAVE THE PARTY. ALL PSEPHOLOGISTS PREDICT TOTAL DISASTER FOR THE PARTY 1997 SMT. SONIA GANDHI PERSUADED TO CAMPAIGN FOR THE PARTY TO STOP IT FROM COLLAPSING ALTOGETHER |
| 1991 | ||
| 1992 | TIRUPATI | P.V. NARASIMHA RAO |
| 1996 | ||
| 1997 | CALCUTTA | SITARAM KESRI |
The Resurgence Of The Party
| 14th March 1998 Smt. Sonia Gandhi persuaded to take over as Congress PresidentCongress on a wining spree. Wins state elections and forms Governments in a majority of the states: |
| 1998 | ||
| 1999 | ||
| 2000 | ||
| 2001 | BANGALORE | SMT SONIA GANDHI |
| 2002 | ||
| 2003 | ||
| 2004 |
| 28TH AND 29TH MARCH 2003 FIRST EVER CONVENTION OF ALL BLOCK CONGRESS PRESIDENTS HELD AT DELHI THRUST ON POVERTY ALLEVIATION |
“CONGRESS KA HAATH GARIB KE SAATH”
| 7TH, 8TH AND 9TH JULY 2003 SHIMLA VICHAR MANTHAN SHIVIR SHIMLA SANKALP ADOPTED BY THE PARTY |
“CONGRESS KA HAATH AAM AADMI KE SAATH”
General Elections Held In May 2004
| Congress under Smt. Sonia Gandhi leads United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to victory in Elections defeating the BJP led NDA |
| Smt. Sonia Gandhi elected head of the Parliamentary Party |
| Smt. Sonia Gandhi asked to head UPA Government as Prime Minister |
Smt. Sonia Gandhi Elected Head Of The Parliamentary Party
| “I was always certain that if ever I found myself in the position that I am in today, I would follow my own inner voice. Today, that voice tells me I must humbly decline this post.” – Sonia Gandhi |
| Dr. Manmohan Singh elected head of Parliamentary Party |
| Dr. Manmohan Singh sworn in as Prime Minister of India on 22 May 2004 |
