Vande Mataram

• Author: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
• Source: The song was originally part of his novel Anandamath (1882).
• Language: Originally written in Sanskritised Bengali.
• First published: In Anandamath in 1882.
• National status: Vande Mataram is the National Song of India.
• National Anthem: Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India.
• Freedom Movement: It became an important symbol of the Indian national movement and was widely used during the Swadeshi Movement.
• Congress session: It was first sung at the 1896 Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress by Rabindranath Tagore.
• Constitutional position: The Constitution does not designate Vande Mataram as the National Song through a specific constitutional provision; its status comes from historical and governmental recognition.

Prelims MCQ

Q. With reference to Vande Mataram, consider the following statements:

1. It was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
2. It was originally included in the novel Anandamath.
3. It was first sung at the 1896 Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.
4. It is the National Anthem of India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and appeared in his novel Anandamath. It was first sung at the 1896 Calcutta Session of the INC, where Rabindranath Tagore sang it. It is the National Song, whereas Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem.