Question

At the Lahore session of Congress the demand for Purna Swaraj was declared and the tentative date for the celebration of Independence day was given as _________.
a. 26 January 1930
b. 15 August 1930
c. 26 January 1945
d. 15 August 1945

Answer 1

Hint: The Lahore session of the Indian national congress was held on 19th December 1929, the day on which the historic declaration for purna swaraj or complete independence was made.

Complete answer:
(i)The declaration for Purna swaraj was made because of the breakdown of talks between Indian freedom fighters and the British government.
(ii)Lord Irwin, the then viceroy of India had made an announcement in 1929 saying Indians will be given dominion status. Indian leaders had welcomed this decision, but it was faced with backlash back in England.
(iii)Lord Irwin told Indian leaders that he couldn’t promise dominion status any time soon. this irked that Indian leaders, and in a meeting in Lahore they officially declared purna swaraj.
(iv)The resolution was a short 750-word document, more like a manifesto, which declared the launch of the civil disobedience movement and asked Indians to sever all ties with the British and complete independence.
(v)The Indian leaders on 26th January 1930 made a public declaration to celebrate Independence day.
Thus, the correct option is (a).

Note: The declaration of Purna Swaraj was a critical component of the Indian freedom struggle as it changed the attitude of the Indians towards the British completely. During the constitution-making process in 1946-1950, members of the constituent assembly chose 26th January as the date for the constitution of India to come into effect to honour the date of the public declaration of Purna Swaraj.