150 years of Vande Mataram
Asked by UPSCPrelims 20161 PYQ
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
What happened
- 7 November 2025 marked 150 years of Vande Mataram, first published in Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s journal Bangadarshan on 7 November 1875 [PIB].
- It was later included in Anandamath (1882), first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress session in Calcutta, used as a political slogan from 7 August 1905, and adopted as the National Song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950 [PIB].
Background
- The song became popular during the 1905 anti-partition and Swadeshi movement in Bengal [PIB].
Why it matters
- A good anchor for questions on cultural nationalism in the Swadeshi period.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2025-11-06): 7 November 2025 marked 150 years of Vande Mataram, first published in Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's journal Bangadarshan on 7 November 1875.
- A good anchor for questions on cultural nationalism in the Swadeshi period.
Quotable data pointIt was later included in Anandamath (1882), first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Congress session in Calcutta, used as a political slogan from 7 August 1905, and adopted as the National Song by the Constituent Assembly in 1950.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: 150 Years of Vande Mataram, 6 Nov 2025
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: Vande Mataram dates.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
Vande Mataram was first published in
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Who first sang it at a Congress session (1896)?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Practice · UPSC
Adopted as National Song in
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB.
Go deeper
ExplainerPartition of Bengal (1905): Curzon’s Motives, the Swadeshi Response and the 1911 Annulment (UPSC Notes + PYQs)ExplainerSwadeshi Movement (1905–1911): Partition of Bengal, Methods, Leaders, Impact and UPSC PYQs
Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: 150 Years of Vande Mataram, 6 Nov 2025
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending