Q. Consider the following pairs:

  1. Radhakanta Deb — First President of the British Indian Association
  2. Gazulu Lakshmi Narasu Chetty — Founder of the Madras Mahajana Sabha
  3. Surendranath Banerjee — Founder of the Indian Association

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

  • 1 only
  • 1 and 3 only
  • 2 and 3 only
  • 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Notes:
  • British Indian Association:
    • It was founded in October 1851, at Calcutta. The association was formed in Calcutta by merging the Landholders’ Society and the Bengal British India Society.
    • Raja Radha Kanta dev was the first president of the British Indian Association while Debendranath Tagore was its Secretary.
    • The association was formed to advocate for Indian rights and representation.
    • Achievements:
      • The association’s recommendations were partially accepted by the Charter Act of 1853.
      • The association laid the groundwork for political advocacy and administrative reforms in British India.
      • It served as a precursor to the Indian National Congress.
  • Madras Mahajana Sabha:
    • It was founded in May 1884.
    • It was established by M. Veeraraghavachariar, S. Ramaswami Mudaliar, and P. Anandacharlu. 
    • Madras Mahajana Sabha, along with the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, Bombay Presidency Association, and Indian Association, it’s considered a precursor to the Indian National Congress.
  • Indian Association:
    • It was founded by Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose in 1876. 
    • Indian Association was the first avowed nationalist organization founded in British India.
    • The objectives of this Association were “promoting by every legitimate means the political, intellectual and material advancement of the people”.
    • It played a crucial role in fostering national consciousness and served as a forerunner to the Indian National Congress.
  • Gazulu Lakshmi Narasu Chetty:
    • Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty was an Indian merchant and political activist who founded the Madras Native Association, one of the earliest Indian political associations, and the first Indian-owned newspaper in Madras, The Crescent.