Indian National Congress (INC) was formed by A.O Hume in the year 1885. It was originally known as the Indian Nation Union. The formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 was not a coincidental occurrence. It was the culmination of a process of political awakening that began in the 1860s and 1870s and reached a tipping point in the late 1870s and early 1880s. The year 1885 was a watershed moment in this process. Modern intellectuals interested in politics, who saw themselves as representatives of national interests rather than narrow group interests, saw their efforts bear fruit. The all-India nationalist body that they established was to serve as the platform, organizer, headquarters, and symbol of the new national spirit and politics.

Foundation of INC - Background

• The groundwork for the establishment of an all-India organization had been laid in the late 1870s and early 1880s.
• A retired English civil servant, A.O. Hume gave this idea a final shape by mobilizing leading intellectuals of the time.
• Hume obtained permission from the then-Viceroy of India, Lord Dufferin, for the first session. It was supposed to be held in Poona, but it was moved to Bombay due to a cholera outbreak in Poona.
• Hume had written an open letter to Calcutta University graduates in 1883, expressing his desire to establish a body for educated Indians to demand greater participation in government and to provide a platform for dialogue.
• In 1890, Kadambini Ganguly, the first woman graduate of Calcutta University, addressed the Congress session, symbolizing the freedom struggle's commitment to granting women in India their due status in national life.

Foundation of INC - Features

• The INC was India's first national political movement, with the initial goal of involving more Indians in the country's governance.
• Its purpose was later upgraded to complete independence. After independence, it grew into a major political party in the country.
• The INC was a moderate organization in its early years, limiting its methods to constitutional methods and dialogue.
• Its demands were restricted to increasing the number of Indians in the civil service and armed forces. It never mentioned independence.
• After a few years, the party's demands and approach became more radical.
• By 1905, there was a clear schism in the party, which was now split between old moderates and the newer group, the extremists – so named because of their radical methods.
• The Nationalist activity was carried out through provincial conferences and associations, newspapers, and literature in addition to the Indian National Congress.

Objectives of INC

• To promote friendly relations between nationalist political workers from various parts of the country.
• To develop and consolidate a sense of national unity regardless of caste, religion, or province.
• To formulate popular demands and present them to the government.
• To train and organize public opinion in the country.
• To provide an outlet—"a safety valve"—for the growing popular discontent with British rule.
• Through a pan-India organization, establish a democratic, nationalist movement.
• To raise awareness about colonial exploitative policies and Indian political rights. To that end, Congress focused on increasing representation in councils, Indianization of civil services, and other issues.

Role of A.O Hume

• The idea for an all-India Congress is said to have originated in a private meeting of seventeen men following the Theosophical Convention in Madras in December 1884.
• Hume's Indian union, which he founded after retiring from the Civil Service, is also said to have played a role in convening the Congress.
• Whatever the origin, and whoever the originator of the idea, we can conclude that there was a need for such an organization, and A.O Hume took the initiative.
• Hume was the son of Joseph Hume, a British radical leader. He inherited his father's political views and was initially interested in European revolutionary organizations.
• In 1849, he joined the East India Company's civil service and served in the Northwestern Provinces.
• He became involved in projects such as spreading education, combating social evils, and encouraging agricultural progress. Hume even started a newspaper in 1861 to educate the people of Etawah on political and social issues.
• Hume's pro-Indian stance and efforts to promote Indian welfare did not go down well with his fellow British officers.
• In 1870, Hume was appointed Secretary to the Government of India. Viceroy Northbrook threatened Hume with dismissal for his opinions.
• He also did not get along with Lord Lytton and was demoted in 1879 before retiring from the army in 1882. Hume settled in Shimla and became interested in Indian politics.
• He sympathized with the Bombay and Poona groups more than with Calcutta leaders such as Surendranath Banerjee and Narendra Nath Sen.
• Hume also met Viceroy Lord Ripon and became interested in the latter's scheme of local self-government.

First Session of INC in 1885

• With the cooperation of leading intellectuals of the time, A.O. Hume organized the first session of the Indian National Congress in December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay.
• As a prelude to this, the Indian National Conference held two sessions in 1883 and 1885, with representatives from all major towns in India.
• The Indian National Conference was founded by Surendranath Banerjea and Ananda Mohan Bose.
• The first session drew 72 delegates from all Indian provinces. There were 54 Hindus, 2 Muslims, and the remaining members were Jain and Parsi.
• Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee presided over the first session.
• Following that, the Congress met in December every year, in a different part of the country each time.
• Dadabhai Naoroji (thrice president), Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, P.Anandacharlu, Surendranath Banerjea, Romesh Chandra Dutt, Ananda Mohan Bose, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale were some of the great Congress presidents during this early period.
• Mahadev Govind Ranade, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sisir Kumar Ghosh, Motilal Ghosh, Madan Mohan Malaviya, G. Subramania Aiyar, C. Vijayaraghavachariar, and Dinshaw E. Wacha were among the other prominent leaders.

Foundational Theories of INC

Safety Valve Theory (Lala Lajpat Rai)

• The fact that the INC was founded by a retired English civil servant, A.O.Hume, rather than an Indian, has led to speculation that Hume founded the INC to provide a "safety value" to the growing discontent with British rule.
• It is also reported that Hume received the idea for an annual conference of educated Indians for political discussions from Viceroy Dufferin.
• This may be true in part, but there is no reliable evidence that Dufferin suggested the formation of the INC or that the INC was intended as a "safety value."

Conspiracy Theory (R P Dutt)

• The Marxist historian's conspiracy theory arose from the 'safety valve' concept.
• According to R.P. Dutt, the Indian National Congress arose from a conspiracy to suppress a popular uprising in India, and the bourgeois leaders were complicit in it.

Lightning Conductor Theory (G.K Gokhale)

• The Indian National Congress represented the desire of politically conscious Indians to establish a national body to express Indian political and economic demands.
• If the Indians had formed such a body on their own, the officials would have been vehemently opposed; such an organization would not have been allowed to form.
• The early Congress leaders used Hume as a 'lightning conductor,' i.e., a catalyst to bring together nationalistic forces, even if under the guise of a'safety valve.'

Conclusion

With the establishment of the National Congress in 1885, the struggle for India's independence from foreign rule was launched in a small but organized way. The national movement would grow, and the country and its people would not be able to rest until freedom was achieved.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who was the first president of the Indian National Congress?

A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B. Dadabhai Naoroji
C. W.C. Bonnerjee
D. A.O. Hume

2. Which of the following played a key role in the formation of the Indian National Congress?

A. Lord Curzon
B. Lord Ripon
C. A.O. Hume
D. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

3. The Indian National Congress was founded in which year?

A. 1885
B. 1905
C. 1857
D. 1920

4. What was one of the primary objectives of the Indian National Congress at the time of its formation?

A. Demanding complete independence
B. Promoting the Swadeshi Movement
C. Advocating for political representation
D. Forming a military resistance

5. Who among the following leaders was NOT associated with the early years of the INC?

A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B. W.C. Bonnerjee
C. A.O. Hume
D. Dadabhai Naoroji

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the socio-political context that led to the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

Answer: The socio-political context of the late 19th century, marked by discontent with British economic policies, racial discrimination, and exclusion from political representation, led to the formation of the INC. Western-educated Indians, influenced by liberal ideas, sought a platform to demand reforms. The rise of the nationalist press, social reform movements, and the support of moderates like A.O. Hume provided the necessary momentum for the INC's formation. The INC aimed to bridge the gap between Indians and the British government, advocating for constitutional reforms and increased participation in governance.

Q2: How did the Indian National Congress evolve from a moderate reformist platform to a radical force for independence?

Answer: The INC began as a moderate organization focused on constitutional reforms and greater Indian representation within British governance. However, dissatisfaction with the British response to these demands, coupled with the rise of leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, led to the adoption of more radical methods. Movements like the Swadeshi and Boycott movements during the Bengal Partition (1905) marked the shift towards direct action. Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s, the INC embraced non-violent civil disobedience as a strategy for achieving complete independence.

Q3: Discuss the role of A.O. Hume in the formation and early years of the Indian National Congress.

Answer: A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, played a pivotal role in the foundation of the INC. Concerned about growing Indian discontent, he envisioned the Congress as a “safety valve” for releasing political pressure peacefully. Hume acted as a mediator between Indian leaders and the British government, encouraging Indian elites to form an organization that could engage in dialogue with colonial authorities. His influence ensured the INC's initial focus on moderate reforms rather than revolutionary demands. Hume’s efforts laid the groundwork for the INC's future role in India's independence movement.

Previous Year Questions on Foundation of Indian National Congress

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Who among the following was not associated with the formation of the Indian National Congress?
A. A.O. Hume
B. W.C. Bonnerjee
C. Dadabhai Naoroji
D. Subhas Chandra Bose

Answer: D

Explanation: Subhas Chandra Bose was not associated with the formation of the INC, as he was a leader who rose to prominence in the later years of the freedom struggle.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Discuss the reasons for the foundation of the Indian National Congress and its significance in the Indian national movement.

Explanation: The foundation of the INC in 1885 was driven by the growing political consciousness among Indians, the desire for political representation, and the need to address economic and social grievances under British rule. The INC provided a platform for Indian leaders to engage in political dialogue with the British, promoting national unity. Over time, the INC evolved into the primary vehicle for the Indian independence movement, guiding the country towards self-rule.