Where and in which city was the first session of the Indian National Congress held in the year 1885, marking the beginning of an organised national political platform?

Introduction / Context:
The formation of the Indian National Congress was a turning point in the political history of modern India. It provided an all India platform where leaders from different regions could meet, discuss grievances and gradually build a national movement against colonial rule. Knowing the details about the first session of the Indian National Congress is essential for understanding how organised politics started in British India. This question focuses on the city and year of that first session.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is the first session of the Indian National Congress.
• The year most commonly associated with its birth is 1885.
• The options offer various city and year combinations.
• The correct option should combine both the right city and the correct year.

Concept / Approach:
The Indian National Congress was founded with the initiative of Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, along with Indian leaders. The first session was scheduled to be held in Pune in 1885, but due to a plague outbreak, the venue was shifted to Bombay, present day Mumbai. The session took place in December 1885 under the presidency of W. C. Bonnerjee. Remembering this location and date helps in correctly identifying the right option when confronted with similar looking alternatives.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, not in later years like 1887, 1888 or 1890. Step 2: Remember that the intended venue was Pune, but due to a health crisis, the venue changed to Bombay (Mumbai). Step 3: Fix in mind that the first session actually took place in Bombay in 1885 with W. C. Bonnerjee as the first president. Step 4: Check the options and look for the combination that mentions Mumbai or Bombay and the year 1885 together. Step 5: Option B states Mumbai, 1885, which matches the historical record, so choose that as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard textbooks on modern India consistently mention that the first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay in December 1885. Other sessions in subsequent years moved to different cities like Calcutta, Madras and others, but none of them were the first. If you consult lists of Congress sessions, you will see Bombay 1885 recorded as the starting point, confirming that the city and year in Option B are correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Delhi, 1890: Although later sessions were held in many cities, the first session was not in Delhi and not in 1890. Madras, 1887: Madras did host Congress sessions, but not the very first one; 1887 is also two years later than the foundation year. Kolkata, 1889: Calcutta was an important Congress centre, but 1889 is not the starting year of the Indian National Congress. Nagpur, 1888: Nagpur is associated with later political events but not the first Congress session.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the first session of the Indian National Congress with other major sessions that had important resolutions, such as the Surat split or sessions presided over by leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji. Another pitfall is mixing up the cities of Calcutta and Bombay because both were major colonial centres. To avoid confusion, firmly remember that Bombay 1885 marks the starting point of the Congress, with W. C. Bonnerjee as the first president.

Final Answer:
The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Mumbai in 1885.