The Indian National Congress was established when_____ delegates from all over the country met at Bombay in December 1885.

The correct answer is 72.

Key Points

• On 28 December 1885, the Indian National Congress was founded at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay, with 72 delegates in attendance.
• The founder of the INC was Allan Octavian Hume. It was founded in Mumbai.
• It was formed when 72 delegates from all the presidencies and provinces of India met at Bombay from 28 to 30 December 1885.
• Allan Octavian Hume played a leading role in the formation of the Congress and acted as its General Secretary.
• It was set up to bring together a group of educated individuals on a common platform to influence policymaking.
• Some of the important leaders, who attended this first session of the congress which was held at the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College:
  • Dadabhai Naoroji, Kashinath Trimbak Telang, Pherozeshah Mehta, S.Subramania Iyer, P. Ananda Charlu, Dinshaw Edalji Wacha.
  • Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, G. Subramania Iyer, M. Veeraraghavarchariar, N.G. Chandavarkar, Rahmatullah M. Sayani and Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.
  • An important leader who was absent was Surendranath Banerjee. He had convened a national conference around the same time at Calcutta.
• The first president of the congress was Womesh Chandra Banerjee. 
• Congress passed nine resolutions that demanded changes in British policy and reforms in administration.

Additional Information

•  Aim and Objectives of the Congress :
  • Promotion of friendship among the countrymen.​
  • Development and consolidation of a feeling of national unity irrespective of race, caste, religion, and provinces.
  • Formation of popular demands and presentation before the Government through petitions.
  • Training and organization of public opinion.
  • Consolidation of sentiments of national unity.
  • Recording of the opinions of educated classes on pressing problems.
  • Laying down lines for the future course of action in the public interest.