For the first time, Purna Swaraj was declared by the Congress at

The correct answer is Lahore.

Key Points

• The resolution for Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) was adopted during the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress held in December 1929.
• The session was presided over by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who was the president of the Congress at that time.
• January 26, 1930, was declared as the first Independence Day and was celebrated by hoisting the tricolor flag across the country.
• The Lahore Session marked a significant shift in the Indian freedom struggle, as the demand for complete independence replaced the earlier goal of Dominion Status under British rule.
• The resolution also paved the way for the Civil Disobedience Movement, which was launched in 1930 by Mahatma Gandhi.

Additional Information

• Purna Swaraj:
  • The term Purna Swaraj translates to "Complete Independence" and signifies the Indian people's resolve to achieve full freedom from British colonial rule.
  • It was a response to the failure of the British government to meet India's aspirations for Dominion Status, as expressed in the Simon Commission and the Round Table Conferences.
• Lahore Session of 1929:
  • This session is considered a landmark in India's freedom struggle due to its formal adoption of the goal of complete independence.
  • The session also emphasized the importance of non-violent methods to achieve this objective.
• January 26, 1930:
  • The date was chosen to symbolize the aspiration for independence and is now celebrated as Republic Day in India, starting from 1950 when the Indian Constitution came into effect.
• Jawaharlal Nehru's Role:
  • As the president of the Lahore Session, Nehru played a crucial role in shaping the resolution and inspiring the nation with his vision of a free India.
  • He was instrumental in mobilizing support for the demand for complete independence.