Question map
At which Congress session did Dadabhai Naoroji announce that Swaraj was the goal of India's political efforts?
Explanation
Dadabhai Naoroji announced that 'Swaraj' or self-government was the goal of the Indian National Congress during the 1906 Calcutta session [2]. This session was held amidst rising tensions between the Moderates and the Extremists. Naoroji was chosen as a compromise president due to his immense respect across both factions [2]. In his presidential address, he defined the Congress goal as 'swarajya or self-government' similar to the systems in the United Kingdom or colonies like Canada and Australia [3]. This declaration was a significant concession to the militant nationalists (Extremists), who subsequently used it to justify calls for passive resistance, swadeshi, and boycotts [3]. While Naoroji presided over earlier sessions in 1886 (Calcutta) and 1893 (Lahore), the formal adoption of Swaraj as the political goal specifically occurred in 1906.
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Congress's Position > p. 263
- [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > Run-up to Surat > p. 273
- [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 12: Era of Militant Nationalism (1905-1909) > The Extremist Programme > p. 264