PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
WBPSC Miscellaneous Preliminary 2023
Answer
Annie Besant
Explanation
Annie Besant, a British socialist, theosophist, and strong supporter of Indian self-rule, became the first woman President of the Indian National Congress. She presided over the Calcutta session in 1917. Sarojini Naidu, on the other hand, holds the distinction of being the first 'Indian' woman to become the Congress President (in 1925).
Key Points
- > Annie Besant presided over the Calcutta Session in 1917.
- > Sarojini Naidu presided over the Kanpur Session in 1925 (First Indian Woman).
- > Nellie Sengupta was the third woman president (Calcutta, 1933).
- > Besant launched the Home Rule League in India in 1916 alongside Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
- > She published newspapers named 'New India' and 'Commonweal'.
- > The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume.
- > The first INC President was W.C. Bonnerjee.
Additional Information
Notable INC Presidents
| Distinction | President | Year | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| First President | W.C. Bonnerjee | 1885 | Bombay |
| First Muslim | Badruddin Tyabji | 1887 | Madras |
| First Woman | Annie Besant | 1917 | Calcutta |
| First Indian Woman | Sarojini Naidu | 1925 | Kanpur |
Memory Tips
- Remember the sequence: First Woman = Foreigner (Annie Besant, 1917). First Indian Woman = Sarojini Naidu (1925).