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Q82 (IAS/2014) History & Culture › National Movement (1857–1947) › Indian National Congress Official Key

The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement. because the

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The 1929 Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress, held under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, gave voice to the new militant spirit and passed a resolution declaring Poorna Swaraj (Full Independence) to be the Congress objective.[1] On 31 December 1929, the tricolour flag of freedom was hoisted at Lahore, and it was decided that 26 January would be celebrated as the Independence Day every year.[2] This marked a departure from the earlier goal of dominion status or self-government within the British Empire.

Option A is incorrect as self-government (dominion status) was not the objective declared at this session—rather, complete independence was adopted. Option C is wrong because the Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920 under Gandhi's leadership,[3] not in 1929. Option D is also incorrect as the Congress decided against participating in the Round Table Conference; instead, it was announced that civil disobedience would be started under Gandhi's leadership.[2]

Sources
  1. [1] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > Poorna Swaraja > p. 286
  2. [2] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > Lahore Congress Session-Poorna Swaraj > p. 51
  3. [3] https://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/89fc/week9/H%20-%20Indian%20Freedom%20Struggle.pdf
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Q. The 1929 Session of Indian National Congress is of significance in the history of the Freedom Movement. because the [A] attainment of Se…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5/10 · 5/10

This is a 'Sitter' category question. The 1929 Lahore Session is a cornerstone event covered in every basic history textbook (NCERT/Spectrum). Missing this indicates a gap in the fundamental chronology of the Freedom Struggle.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Did the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress declare attainment of Self-Government as the objective of the Congress?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > Lahore Congress Session-Poorna Swaraj > p. 51
Presence: 5/5
“Lahore session of the Congress has a special significance in the history of the freedom movement. It was at the Lahore session that the Congress declared that the objective of the Congress was the attainment of complete independence. On 31 December 1929, the tricolour flag of freedom was hoisted at Lahore. It was also decided that 26 January would be celebrated as the Independence day every year. It was also announced that civil disobedience would be started under the leadership of Gandhi.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names the Lahore (1929) session and states the Congress declared the objective was attainment of complete independence.
  • Mentions associated decisions of that session (flag hoisting, 26 January observance), tying the resolution to the 1929 meeting.
Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > Poorna Swaraja > p. 286
Presence: 5/5
“The National Congress soon reflected this new mood. Gandhi came back to active politics and attended the Calcutta session of the Congress in December 1928. He now began to consolidate the nationalist ranks. The first step was to reconcile the militant left-wing of the Congress. Jawaharlal Nehru was now made the President of the Congress at the historic Lahore session of 1929. This event had its romantic side too. The Lahore session of the Congress gave voice to the new, militant spirit. It passed a resolution declaring Poorna Swaraj (Full Independence) to be the Congress objective. On 31 December 1929 was hoisted the After the resolution demanding complete Independence was passed by the Congress, the Indian People observed 26 January as the "Independence Day" every year.”
Why this source?
  • Directly states the Lahore session of 1929 'passed a resolution declaring Poorna Swaraj (Full Independence) to be the Congress objective.'
  • Places Gandhi and Nehru in context, confirming the session and leadership linked to the resolution.
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 18: Simon Commission and the Nehru Report > Congress Response > p. 358
Presence: 3/5
“The Congress session in Madras (December 1927) meeting under the presidency of M.A. Ansari decided to boycott the commission "at every stage and in every form". Meanwhile Nehru succeeded in getting a snap resolution passed at the session, declaring complete independence as the goal of the Congress.”
Why this source?
  • Shows an earlier (Madras, Dec 1927) move where a resolution declaring complete independence as the Congress goal was passed, indicating continuity leading up to 1929.
  • Provides corroborating context that the demand for complete independence was present immediately before the Lahore session.
Statement 2
Did the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress adopt Poorna Swaraj (complete independence) as the goal of the Congress?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > Poorna Swaraja > p. 286
Presence: 5/5
“The National Congress soon reflected this new mood. Gandhi came back to active politics and attended the Calcutta session of the Congress in December 1928. He now began to consolidate the nationalist ranks. The first step was to reconcile the militant left-wing of the Congress. Jawaharlal Nehru was now made the President of the Congress at the historic Lahore session of 1929. This event had its romantic side too. The Lahore session of the Congress gave voice to the new, militant spirit. It passed a resolution declaring Poorna Swaraj (Full Independence) to be the Congress objective. On 31 December 1929 was hoisted the After the resolution demanding complete Independence was passed by the Congress, the Indian People observed 26 January as the "Independence Day" every year.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the Lahore (Dec 1929) session passed a resolution declaring 'Poorna Swaraj' as the Congress objective.
  • Mentions the follow-up actions (flag hoisting on 31 Dec 1929 and 26 January observed as Independence Day) tied to that resolution, showing concrete adoption.
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 19: Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences > Lahore Congress and Purna Swaraj > p. 368
Presence: 5/5
“Jawaharlal Nehru, who had done more than anyone else to popularise the concept of purna swaraj, was nominated the president for the Lahore session of the Congress (December 1929) mainly due to Gandhi's backing (15 out of 18 Provincial Congress Committees had opposed Nehru). Nehru was chosen • because of the appositeness of the occasion (Congress' acceptance of complete independence as its goal), and• to acknowledge the upsurge of youth which had made the anti-Simon campaign a huge success. Nehru declared in his presidential address, "We have”
Why this source?
  • Specifies Jawaharlal Nehru's presidency at the Lahore session and links his nomination to the Congress' acceptance of complete independence as its goal.
  • Places the decision in context of internal Congress dynamics and confirms the session's role in formalising Purna Swaraj.
India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > 3 Towards Civil Disobedience > p. 39
Presence: 5/5
“Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, became more assertive. The liberals and moderates, who were proposing a constitutional system within the framework of British dominion, gradually lost their influence. In December 1929, under the presidency of Jawaharlal Nehru, the Lahore Congress formalised the demand of 'Purna Swaraj' or full independence for India. It was declared that 26 January 1930, would be celebrated as the Independence Day when people were to take a pledge to struggle for complete independence. But the celebrations attracted very little attention. So Mahatma Gandhi had to find a way to relate this abstract idea of freedom to more concrete issues of everyday life.”
Why this source?
  • States that in December 1929 the Lahore Congress formalised the demand of 'Purna Swaraj' (full independence).
  • Records the decision to celebrate 26 January 1930 as an Independence Day pledge, corroborating the session's formal adoption of the goal.
Statement 3
Was the Non-Cooperation Movement launched at the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"In 1920, under the leadership of Gandhi, the Indian National Congress launched his first innovative protest, the Non Cooperation Movement."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in 1920 under Gandhi's leadership.
  • Directly ties the movement's launch to 1920, contradicting a 1929 launch.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The seeds of a republican nation were sowed at the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress at the midnight of 31st December 1929. The Lahore Session paved way to the Civil Disobedience movement."
Why this source?
  • Identifies the Lahore Session at midnight of 31st December 1929 as a meeting that paved the way to the Civil Disobedience movement.
  • Shows the 1929 session's major outcome was related to Civil Disobedience and Purna Swaraj, not launching the Non-Cooperation Movement.

History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > c) Launch of Non-Cooperation Movement > p. 47
Strength: 5/5
“(c) Launch of Non-Cooperation Movement The Khilafat Conference, at the instance of Gandhi, decided to launch the non-cooperation movement from 31 August 1920. Earlier an all-party meet at Allahabad had decided on a programme of boycott of government educational institutions and their law courts. Non-cooperation movement included boycott of schools, colleges, courts, government offices, legislatures, foreign goods, return of government conferred titles and awards. Alternatively, national schools, panchayats were to be set up and swadeshi goods manufactured and used. The struggle at a later stage was to include no tax campaign and mass civil disobedience, etc. A regular Congress session held at Nagpur in 1920 endorsed the earlier resolutions.”
Why relevant

States the Khilafat Conference decided to launch the non-cooperation movement from 31 August 1920 and that a regular Congress session at Nagpur in 1920 endorsed earlier resolutions.

How to extend

A student can compare the 1920 date and Nagpur session endorsement with the 1929 session date to see they are different events.

India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > 1.3 Why Non-cooperation? > p. 33
Strength: 5/5
“Many within the Congress were, however, concerned about the proposals. They were reluctant to boycott the council elections scheduled for November 1920, and they feared that the movement might lead to popular violence. In the months between September and December there was an intense tussle within the Congress. For a while there seemed no meeting point between the supporters and the opponents of the movement. Finally, at the Congress session at Nagpur in December 1920, a compromise was worked out and the Non-Cooperation programme was adopted. How did the movement unfold? Who participated in it? How did different social groups conceive of the idea of Non-Cooperation?”
Why relevant

Says the Non-Cooperation programme was adopted at the Congress session at Nagpur in December 1920 after internal debate.

How to extend

Use this to place formal Congress adoption of the movement in 1920, then contrast with any claim about 1929.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 16: Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Aandolan > p. 332
Strength: 4/5
“August 31, 1920 The Khilafat Committee started a campaign of non-cooperation and the movement was formally launched. (Tilak had, incidentally, breathed his last on August 1, 1920.) September 1920 At a special session in Calcutta, the Congress approved a non-cooperation programme till the Punjab and Khilafat wrongs were removed and swaraj was established. The programme was to include— • boycott of government schools and colleges;• boycott of law courts and dispensation of justice through panchayats instead;• boycott of legislative councils; (there were some differences over this as some leaders like C.R.”
Why relevant

Gives a timeline: Khilafat Committee started the non-cooperation campaign on August 31, 1920 and a special Congress session in September 1920 approved a non-cooperation programme.

How to extend

Combine these specific 1920 actions with known dates of later Congress sessions to test whether 1929 could be the launch date.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART III, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT > 3. The Salt Satyagraha A Case Study > p. 295
Strength: 4/5
“For several years after the Non-cooperation Movement ended, Mahatma Gandhi focused on his social reform work. In 1928, however, he began to think of re-entering politics. That year there was an all-India campaign in opposition to the all-White Simon Commission, sent from England to enquire into conditions in the colony. Gandhiji did not himself participate in this movement, although he gave it his blessings, as he also did to a peasant satyagraha in Bardoli in the same year. In the end of December 1929, the Congress held its annual session in the city of Lahore. The meeting was significant for two things: the election of Jawaharlal Nehru as President, signifying the passing of the baton of leadership to the younger generation; and the proclamation of commitment to "Purna Swaraj", or complete independence.”
Why relevant

Notes the December 1929 Lahore Congress session proclaimed 'Purna Swaraj' and elected Nehru as President — highlighting the significance of 1929 for a different goal.

How to extend

A student can use this to distinguish the 1929 Lahore session's agenda (Purna Swaraj) from earlier non-cooperation actions in 1920.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 19: Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences > Ideological Differences and Similarities between Gandhi and Ambedkar > p. 400
Strength: 4/5
“• Col1: ● Lahore Congress Session (December 1929) Congress adopted complete independence as its goal. Congress decided to launch a civil disobedience movement. January 26, 1930 celebrated as the first Independence Day all over the country. ● Dandi March (March 12-April 6, 1930) Led by Gandhi; resulted in spread of salt satyagraha to Tamil Nadu, Malabar, Andhra, Assam, Bengal. ● Spread of the movement with additional avenues of protest Khudai Khidmatgars active in NWFP. Textile workers active in Sholapur. Salt satyagraha in Dharasana. No-chowkidara tax campaign in Bihar. Anti-chowkidara and anti-union-board tax in Bengal. No-tax movement in Gujarat. Civil disobedience of forest laws in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Central Provinces.”
Why relevant

Specifies that the Lahore Congress Session (December 1929) adopted complete independence and decided to launch a civil disobedience movement (with dates like Jan 1930 and Dandi March in 1930).

How to extend

Use the 1929/1930 civil disobedience timeline to separate that campaign from the 1920 Non-Cooperation Movement timeline.

Statement 4
Did the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress decide to participate in the Round Table Conference in London?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"All parties from India were present except for the Congress, whose leaders were in jail due to the Civil"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that the Congress was not present at the First Round Table Conference in London.
  • If Congress leaders were absent from the conference, that indicates the Congress did not decide to participate at that time.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"they would not take part in the Round Table Conference to be held at London."
Why this source?
  • Records a clear Congress statement (15 August 1930) that they 'would not take part in the Round Table Conference'.
  • Shows Congress explicitly refused participation unless specific British concessions were made.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"While the British Government proceeded to hold the Round Table Conference in London to decide India’s future constitution set up, the National Congress under Mahatma Gandhi prepared for launching Civil Disobedience Movement."
Why this source?
  • Contrasts the British decision to hold the Round Table Conference with the Congress preparing for Civil Disobedience instead.
  • Implies Congress prioritized mass action over participation in the London conference.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 19: Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences > Delhi Manifesto > p. 368
Strength: 5/5
“On November 2, 1929, a conference of prominent national leaders issued a 'Delhi Manifesto' which put forward certain conditions for attending the Round Table Conference: • 1. that the purpose of the Round Table Conference should be not to determine whether or when dominion status was to be reached but to formulate a constitution for implementation of the dominion status (thus acting as a constituent assembly) and the basic principle of dominion status should be immediately accepted;• 2. that the Congress should have majority representation at the conference; and• 3. there should be a general amnesty for political prisoners and a policy of conciliation; Gandhi along with Motilal Nehru and other political leaders met Lord Irwin in December 1929 (after the viceroy had narrowly escaped after a bomb was detonated meaning to hit the train he was travelling in).”
Why relevant

Records show that on Nov 2, 1929 a conference of prominent national leaders issued the 'Delhi Manifesto' which laid down specific conditions for attending the Round Table Conference.

How to extend

A student could infer that leaders in 1929 were framing conditional participation rather than an unconditional decision to attend, and should check whether Congress accepted those conditions later.

Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > The Second Civil Disobedience Movement > p. 289
Strength: 4/5
“The Congress was declared illegal. The nationalist press was gagged through strict censorship of news. According to official figures over 110 persons were killed and over 300 wounded in police firings. Meanwhile, the British Government summoned in London in 1930 the first Round Table Conference of Indian leaders and spokesmen of the British Government to discuss the Simon Commission Report. But the National Congress boycotted the Conference and its proceedings proved abortive. For a conference on Indian affairs without the Congress was like staging Ramlila without Rama. The Government now made attempts to negotiate an agreement with the Congress so that it would attend the Round Table Conference.”
Why relevant

This source states the Congress boycotted the First Round Table Conference (1930), indicating that earlier (including 1929) there was not an unconditional acceptance to attend.

How to extend

Combine this with the 1929 Manifesto to argue that any 1929 decision likely set conditions or a stance of non-participation rather than a firm 'yes'.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 19: Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences > Ideological Differences and Similarities between Gandhi and Ambedkar > p. 400
Strength: 4/5
“Agitation against 'Cunningham Circular' in Assam. No rent campaign in UP. Mass participation of women, students, some sections of Muslims, merchants and petty traders, tribals, workers and peasants. • Col1: ● Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931) Congress agreed to attend Second RTC and to withdraw CDM. • Col1: ● Karachi Congress Session (March 1931) Endorsed Delhi Pact between Gandhi and Irwin. Passed resolutions on economic programme and fundamental rights. • Col1: ● The Round Table Conference The Second RTC Right wing in Britain against concessions to Indians. • Col1: Session got deadlocked on question of safeguards to minorities. ● December 1931 - April 1934: Second phase of Civil Disobedience Movement • Col1: ● Communal Award (1932) and Poona Pact Provided separate electorates to depressed classes.”
Why relevant

Notes that the Congress agreed to attend the Second RTC as part of the Gandhi–Irwin Pact (March 1931) and that the Karachi Congress Session (March 1931) endorsed the Delhi Pact.

How to extend

A student can use this timeline to distinguish a 1929 conditional position from the later 1931 agreement to attend, suggesting any concrete decision to participate came after 1929.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 19: Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences > Second Round Table Conference > p. 384
Strength: 3/5
“Members of the Indian Liberal Party such as Tej Bahadur Sapru, C.Y. Chintamani and Srinivasa Sastri appealed to Gandhi to talk with the Viceroy. Gandhi and Irwin reached a compromise which came to be called the Gandhi-Irwin Pact (the Delhi Pact). The second Round Table Conference was held in London from September 7, 1931 to December 1, 1931. The Indian National Congress nominated Gandhi as its sole representative. A. Rangaswami Iyengar and Madan Mohan Malaviya were also there. There were a large number of Indian participants, besides the Congress.”
Why relevant

States Gandhi was nominated as the Congress's sole representative at the Second Round Table Conference (Sept–Dec 1931), showing actual participation occurred in 1931, not necessarily as a result of a 1929 session decision.

How to extend

Use this to support the view that formal Congress participation was implemented later (1931), so the 1929 session likely did not unambiguously decide to participate.

India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > The Independence Day Pledge, 26 January 1930 > p. 41
Strength: 3/5
“Round Table Conference) in London and the government agreed to release the political prisoners. In December 1931, Gandhiji went to London for the conference, but the negotiations broke down and he returned disappointed. Back in India, he discovered that the government had begun a new cycle of repression. Ghaffar Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru were both in jail, the Congress had been declared illegal, and a series of measures had been imposed to prevent meetings, demonstrations and boycotts. With great apprehension, Mahatma Gandhi relaunched the Civil Disobedience Movement. For over a year, the movement continued, but by 1934 it lost its momentum.”
Why relevant

Mentions Gandhi went to the Round Table Conference in December 1931 and negotiations broke down, again tying Congress attendance to events in 1931 rather than to a 1929 session decision.

How to extend

Combine this with the Delhi Manifesto (1929) to hypothesize that the 1929 stance was conditional and that actual attendance required later agreements (e.g., Gandhi–Irwin Pact).

Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently targets 'Turning Points' in the freedom struggle. They focus on sessions where the *official stance* of the Congress changed (e.g., Moderate to Extremist, Dominion to Independence).
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Old NCERT (Bipin Chandra, Ch 15) or Spectrum (Ch 19).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 'Evolution of Congress Objectives' timeline: from 'Safety Valve' to 'Swaraj' (1906) to 'Poorna Swaraj' (1929).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Goal-Shift' Sessions: 1906 Calcutta (Swaraj mentioned), 1920 Nagpur (New Constitution/NCM), 1927 Madras (Independence resolution passed but not adopted), 1929 Lahore (Poorna Swaraj), 1931 Karachi (Fundamental Rights & Economic Policy).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Always map major sessions to three variables: 1) President (Nehru), 2) Key Resolution (Complete Independence), 3) Immediate Aftermath (Civil Disobedience/Salt March).
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Poorna Swaraj vs earlier 'Swaraj/self-government' formulations
💡 The insight

The references show a shift from earlier formulations of 'self-government/swaraj' (e.g., 1906/earlier sessions) to the explicit demand for 'Poorna Swaraj' at Lahore 1929.

High-yield: understanding how Congress goals evolved (moderate constitutional self-government → mass struggle → full independence) is frequently tested in modern Indian history. It links to questions on changing objectives, ideological shifts, and key session outcomes. Learn by mapping key sessions (1906, 1920, 1927, 1929) and the exact language of resolutions.

📚 Reading List :
  • 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
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 16: Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Aandolan > p. 332
  • Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > Poorna Swaraja > p. 286
🔗 Anchor: "Did the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress declare attainment of Self-..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Lahore Session (1929) — symbolic acts and programme
💡 The insight

References associate Lahore 1929 with the Poorna Swaraj resolution plus symbolic acts (flag hoisting, Jan 26 observance) and decision on civil disobedience.

High-yield: session outcomes and symbols (flags, dates, programmes) are commonly asked. Knowing the concrete decisions of landmark sessions helps answer source-based and direct questions. Prepare by memorising session-year outcomes and linked mass-mobilisation measures.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > Lahore Congress Session-Poorna Swaraj > p. 51
  • Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > Poorna Swaraja > p. 286
🔗 Anchor: "Did the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress declare attainment of Self-..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Methods: constitutional vs extraconstitutional/mass struggle
💡 The insight

Evidence notes the Congress shifted in 1920 and subsequently towards extraconstitutional mass methods culminating in the 1927–29 push for full independence.

Important for analysing the tactical evolution of the freedom movement — often tested in essay and analytical questions. Connects to non-cooperation, civil disobedience and leadership roles. Study by grouping movements, their declared methods, and related Congress sessions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 16: Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Aandolan > p. 332
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 18: Simon Commission and the Nehru Report > Congress Response > p. 358
🔗 Anchor: "Did the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress declare attainment of Self-..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Lahore Session (Dec 1929) and the Adoption of Poorna/Purna Swaraj
💡 The insight

Multiple references explicitly link the Lahore (Dec 1929) Congress session to the formal adoption of 'Poorna/Purna Swaraj' as the Congress goal.

High-yield topic for UPSC modern India: tests knowledge of turning points in nationalist aims and dates. Connects to civil disobedience chronology, Congress resolutions, and later events (Salt Satyagraha). Learn by correlating session locations, presidents, and resolutions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > Poorna Swaraja > p. 286
  • India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > 3 Towards Civil Disobedience > p. 39
🔗 Anchor: "Did the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress adopt Poorna Swaraj (comple..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Role of Jawaharlal Nehru and Youth in 1929 Congress Politics
💡 The insight

References highlight Nehru's presidency at Lahore and his association with popularising Purna Swaraj and youth-led militancy within the Congress.

Useful for questions on leadership dynamics within Congress and the shift from moderate to more assertive demands. Links to profiles of leaders (Nehru, Bose, Gandhi) and factional politics; study by mapping leaders to sessions and resolutions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 19: Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences > Lahore Congress and Purna Swaraj > p. 368
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 19: Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences > Calcutta Session of Congress > p. 366
🔗 Anchor: "Did the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress adopt Poorna Swaraj (comple..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 26 January 1930 as Symbolic Independence Day and Public Mobilisation
💡 The insight

Evidence notes the Lahore resolution led to declaring 26 January as the day to pledge for independence and mentions ceremonial acts (flag hoisting).

Often tested as a factual-date/consequence pair (resolution → symbolic date). Helps answer questions on symbolism, mobilisation tactics, and continuity to later independence events; memorize links between resolutions, dates, and mass campaigns.

📚 Reading List :
  • Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 15: Struggle for Swaraj > Poorna Swaraja > p. 286
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > Lahore Congress Session-Poorna Swaraj > p. 51
  • India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > 3 Towards Civil Disobedience > p. 39
🔗 Anchor: "Did the 1929 Session of the Indian National Congress adopt Poorna Swaraj (comple..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Chronology of Gandhian Mass Movements (Non-Cooperation vs Civil Disobedience)
💡 The insight

The references distinguish the Non-Cooperation Movement's launch in 1920 from Congress decisions at the 1929 Lahore session to adopt Purna Swaraj and prepare for civil disobedience.

UPSC questions often test correct sequencing of freedom movement phases and key dates. Mastering this chronology helps answer timeline, cause-effect and comparative questions (e.g., which movement preceded which, or which session made which decision). Use timeline charts and pair primary events (launch, suspension, major sessions) with causes and outcomes for revision.

📚 Reading List :
  • History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 4: Advent of Gandhi and Mass Mobilisation > c) Launch of Non-Cooperation Movement > p. 47
  • India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > 1.3 Why Non-cooperation? > p. 33
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 19: Civil Disobedience Movement and Round Table Conferences > Ideological Differences and Similarities between Gandhi and Ambedkar > p. 400
🔗 Anchor: "Was the Non-Cooperation Movement launched at the 1929 Session of the Indian Nati..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Delhi Manifesto' (Nov 1929). Just before Lahore, leaders met Viceroy Irwin demanding that the RTC's purpose be to formulate a constitution for Dominion Status. Irwin rejected this, which directly triggered the hardline 'Poorna Swaraj' stance at Lahore.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use 'Chronological Anchoring'. NCM is associated with the Khilafat era (1920-22). RTCs happened after the Simon Commission report (1930-32). 1929 sits between them. 'Self-Government' is 1906/Moderate language. Only 'Poorna Swaraj' fits the radicalization of the late 1920s.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connects to Polity: The Constitution of India was adopted on Nov 26, 1949, but came into force on Jan 26, 1950. This date was chosen specifically to honour the 'Poorna Swaraj' pledge taken on Jan 26, 1930, following the Lahore Session.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2012 · Q96 Relevance score: 3.75

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?

IAS · 2006 · Q35 Relevance score: 1.05

Under whose presidency was the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress held in the year 1929 wherein a resolution was adopted to gain complete independence from the British?

IAS · 1998 · Q30 Relevance score: 0.53

Assertion (A) : Partition of Bengal in 1905 brought to an end the Moderates’ role in the Indian freedom movement. Reason (R) : The Surat session of Indian National Congress separated the Extremists from the Moderates.

IAS · 2009 · Q102 Relevance score: 0.47

In the context of the Indian freedom struggle, 16 October 1905 is well known for which one of the following reasons ?

NDA-I · 2010 · Q26 Relevance score: 0.20

The Haripura Congress (1938) remains a milestone in Indian freedom struggle, because