History, Art & CultureImportant2025-12-28

Centenary of INC's 1925 Kanpur Session

Why focus: 100th anniversary of 1925 Kanpur Session — direct NCERT Modern History hook, highly likely tested via Sarojini Naidu facts.

In News

What Happened

On December 28, 2025, the Indian National Congress commemorated the centenary of its historic 1925 Kanpur session during its 140th Foundation Day. The commemoration honored the 100th anniversary of Sarojini Naidu becoming the first Indian woman to preside over the Congress. The event also celebrated the first official singing of the iconic flag song 'Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara' at that historical session.

Why It Matters

This centenary highlights a major milestone for women's political leadership and empowerment during India's freedom struggle. It also reinforces the historical significance of cultural symbols, such as patriotic literature and songs, which successfully unified the masses against colonial rule.

Background

History & Context

The 40th session of the INC was held in Kanpur in December 1925, immediately succeeding Mahatma Gandhi's presidency at the 1924 Belgaum session. Sarojini Naidu was elected President, making her the first Indian woman to hold the position (Annie Besant was the first woman in 1917). During this session, the patriotic poem 'Vijayee Vishwa Tiranga Pyara, Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara', composed by Shyamlal Gupta 'Parshad' in 1924, was sung and officially embraced as the flag song of the freedom movement.

What Changed

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BEFORE 1925: No Indian woman had ever held the highest leadership position within the Indian National Congress. NOW: Sarojini Naidu's 1925 presidency broke a major political barrier, paving the way for future generations of female political leaders in India.
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BEFORE 1925: The nationalist movement lacked a widely recognized, official anthem dedicated specifically to the national flag. NOW: 'Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara' was institutionalized as the definitive flag song, becoming a permanent cultural pillar of Indian patriotism.
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BEFORE 1925: Women's participation in the freedom struggle was largely seen as supportive or localized. NOW: The 1925 session formalized a structural shift, proving that women were actively directing high-level political strategy and leading the national movement.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This connects to Class 12 History, 'Themes in Indian History Part III', specifically the chapters covering Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement. It applies the concepts of mass mobilization through cultural symbols (like the flag and patriotic songs) and the critical emergence of prominent female leaders like Sarojini Naidu who shaped the character of the freedom struggle.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the historic 1925 Kanpur Session of the Indian National Congress? 1. Sarojini Naidu became the first woman to preside over an Indian National Congress session. 2. The iconic flag song 'Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara', composed by Shyamlal Gupta 'Parshad', was first sung during this session.

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