The Indian National Movement in 15 Milestones (1885–1947)
Fifteen dated milestones from the Indian National Congress to Independence, with the pairs of years that exams like to swap.
On this page
Modern history in SSC and UPSC is often a date attached to a resolution. The list below is a spine, not the whole syllabus. For each milestone, remember the year, the place if it was a Congress session, and the one fact examiners swap with the next event.
| Year | Milestone | Do not confuse it with |
|---|---|---|
| 1885 | Indian National Congress founded in Bombay | The Muslim League, 1906 |
| 1905 | Partition of Bengal | Its annulment in 1911 |
| 1906 | Muslim League at Dhaka; Calcutta session and the four resolutions including swaraj | 1905 and 1907 |
| 1907 | Surat split between Moderates and Extremists | Lucknow Pact, 1916 |
| 1916 | Lucknow Pact and the Home Rule Leagues | Non-Cooperation, 1920 |
| 1919 | Rowlatt Act and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre | Montagu-Chelmsford reforms, also 1919 |
| 1920 | Non-Cooperation launched; Nagpur session | Civil Disobedience, 1930 |
| 1922 | Chauri Chaura; Non-Cooperation withdrawn | Kakori, 1925 |
| 1929 | Lahore session; Purna Swaraj | The independence pledge on 26 January 1930 |
| 1930 | Salt March begins from Sabarmati | Gandhi-Irwin Pact, 1931 |
| 1931 | Gandhi-Irwin Pact; Karachi session on fundamental rights | Poona Pact, 1932 |
| 1932 | Communal Award and the Poona Pact | Government of India Act, 1935 |
| 1942 | Quit India, 8 August, Bombay | Cripps Mission, earlier in 1942 |
| 1946 | Cabinet Mission; Constituent Assembly meets on 9 December | Direct Action Day, 16 August 1946 |
| 1947 | Indian Independence Act; Independence on 15 August | Constitution in force, 26 January 1950 |
Why the pairs matter
The Salt March is 1930. The pact that paused civil disobedience is 1931. Quit India is 1942, after the failure of the Cripps proposals in the same year. The Constituent Assembly first met in December 1946, while Independence Day is 15 August 1947 and Republic Day is 26 January 1950. Questions often offer one of those neighbouring dates as the trap.
Practice MCQs
1. The Indian National Congress was founded in: (a) 1885 (b) 1905 (c) 1919 (d) 1942
Answer: (a).
2. The Lahore session’s Purna Swaraj resolution belongs to: (a) 1919 (b) 1929 (c) 1942 (d) 1947
Answer: (b). The pledge was taken on 26 January 1930.
3. Quit India was launched in: (a) 1930 (b) 1942 (c) 1946 (d) 1947
Answer: (b). 8 August 1942.
4. Chauri Chaura led to the withdrawal of: (a) Quit India (b) the Non-Cooperation Movement (c) the Salt March (d) the Cabinet Mission
Answer: (b). February 1922.
5. The Muslim League was founded in: (a) 1885 (b) 1905 (c) 1906 (d) 1916
Answer: (c).
6. The Constitution came into force on: (a) 15 August 1947 (b) 26 January 1930 (c) 26 November 1949 (d) 26 January 1950
Answer: (d). 26 November 1949 is the date of adoption.
Practice a quiz
The free practice set on the homepage needs no account. Use it after you read, while the facts are still fresh.
Start free practiceThese notes are for educational purposes. IQ Earners is not affiliated with UPSC, SSC, IBPS or SBI. Check the constitutional text and the latest official notifications before you rely on a detail. Found an error? Write via Contact.