Foundational Theories of Indian National Congress (INC) - Modern India History Notes

If an Indian had founded a body like the Indian National Congress, it would have been accepted as normal and logical. However, the fact that an Englishman - A.O. Hume - gave concrete and final shape to the idea of an all-India political organization has given rise to many speculations and various foundational theories of the Indian National Congress have been created. INC was formed by A.O Hume in the year 1885. It was originally known as the Indian Nation Union. A.O Hume was appointed General Secretary, and Calcutta's Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee was elected President. In this article, we will discuss the Foundational Theories of the Indian National Congress which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Indian National Congress - Background

• The Indian National Congress was founded as a result of a series of unfortunate events that began in the 1860s.
• During the 1860s and 1870s, the Indian Subcontinent was subjected to recurrent famines, which resulted in large-scale deaths from starvation as well as wreaking havoc on the local population's purchasing power.
• Colonial legislation also played a significant role in widening the chasm between the people of India and the British Colonial Government in the post-Revolt era.
• The defeat of the Ilbert Bill, among other things, made Indians realize for the first time that sporadic efforts of individuals were useless and fruitless; thus, they learned the importance and value of the organization.
• This was a significant factor in the formation of the first organized national political party speaking with one voice and representing the entire population of India.

Foundation of INC

• By 1880, India had developed a new middle class that was dispersed throughout the country.
• This class's encouragement stemmed from its educational success and ability to reap the benefits of that education, such as employment in the Indian Civil Service.
• They were especially encouraged when Canada was granted dominion status and established a self-governing democratic constitution in 1867.
• A solid foundation had been laid for the formation of an all-India organization. A retired English civil servant, A.O. Hume gave this idea a final shape by mobilizing leading intellectuals of the time.
• With the cooperation of these leaders, he organized the first session of the Indian National Congress in December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay with permission from the then viceroy Lord Dufferin.
• The membership was made up of the westernized elite, and no effort was made to broaden the base at the time.
• Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee presided over the first session of the Indian National Congress, which was attended by 72 delegates.
• Following that, the Congress met in December every year, in a different part of the country each time.
• The Congress held its second session in Calcutta in 1886, and its third in Madras in 1887.

Foundational Theories of INC

Safety Valve Theory (Lala Lajpat Rai)

• According to this theory, Hume founded the Congress with the hope that it would serve as a "safety valve" for the Indians' growing discontent.
• Extremist leaders, such as Lala Lajpat Rai, believed in the safety valve theory.

For detailed notes on this topic, check this link safety Valve Theory (Lala Lajpat Rai)

Conspiracy Theory (R.P Dutt)

• Rajani Palme Dutt was the founder of Conspiracy Theory.
• 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 (middle-class) leaders were complicit in it.

For detailed notes on this topic, check this link Conspiracy Theory (R.P Dutt)

Lightning Conductor Theory (G.K Gokhale)

• The lightning conductor theory was given by Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
• According to modern Indian historians, the Indian National Congress represented the desire of politically conscious Indians to establish a national body to express the Indians' political and economic demands.
• 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.'

For detailed notes on this topic, check this link Lightning Conductor Theory (G.K Gokhale)

Conclusion

Because the Indian National Congress played such an important role in Indian history, it was natural for a contemporary opinion as well as subsequent historians to speculate on the reasons for its formation. In fact, this issue has been debated since the establishment of Congress. Many scholars have worked hard to identify the efforts of an individual or individuals or the specific circumstances that can be considered the primary immediate factors behind the event. However, the evidence is contradictory. A hundred years after the event, historians are still debating the issue.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who among the following was a key leader of the Moderate faction in the Indian National Congress?

A. Lala Lajpat Rai
B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C. Dadabhai Naoroji
D. Bipin Chandra Pal

2. The slogan “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it” is attributed to which leader?

A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
D. Subhas Chandra Bose

3. Which method of protest was primarily used by the Moderates in the early phase of the INC?

A. Armed rebellion
B. Boycotts and strikes
C. Constitutional methods such as petitions and resolutions
D. Civil disobedience

4. What was the main demand of the Home Rule Movement led by Tilak and Annie Besant?

A. Complete independence from British rule
B. Equal rights for women
C. Self-governance within the British Empire
D. Abolition of the caste system

5. Which of the following movements was led by Mahatma Gandhi as part of the INC’s strategy for independence?

A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Swadeshi Movement
C. Revolt of 1857
D. Indian National Army Movement

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

1. Examine the ideological differences between the Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress. How did these differences shape the freedom struggle?

Answer: The Moderates in the INC believed in achieving political reforms through constitutional methods such as petitions, resolutions, and negotiations with the British government. They had faith in British justice and sought gradual reforms like increasing Indian representation in legislative councils. Key leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale. In contrast, the Extremists, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai, rejected the Moderate approach and advocated for Swaraj (self-rule) through direct action, including boycotts and strikes. They believed in mobilizing the masses and emphasized the importance of economic self-reliance (Swadeshi). These ideological differences culminated in the Surat Split of 1907, but both factions contributed to the freedom struggle by laying the foundation for future movements and broadening the scope of resistance.

2. Discuss the significance of Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership in transforming the Indian National Congress into a mass movement.

Answer: Mahatma Gandhi's leadership transformed the Indian National Congress (INC) from an elite organization focused on constitutional reforms into a mass movement that mobilized millions of Indians. Gandhi introduced the principles of non-violence (ahimsa) and civil disobedience (satyagraha), which resonated with people across all sections of society. Under Gandhi’s leadership, the INC launched major campaigns such as the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930), and Quit India Movement (1942). These movements involved widespread boycotts of British goods, non-payment of taxes, and refusal to cooperate with British authorities. Gandhi's emphasis on self-reliance (swadeshi) and rural development also brought the marginalized sections of society into the freedom struggle, making the INC a truly representative body of the Indian masses.

3. Analyze the impact of the Home Rule Movement on the Indian independence struggle.

Answer: The Home Rule Movement (1916-1918), led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant, played a crucial role in reinvigorating the Indian independence struggle during a period of political stagnation. Inspired by the Irish Home Rule movement, it demanded self-governance within the British Empire and sought to raise public awareness about India's right to political freedom. The movement used various methods such as public meetings, petitions, and propaganda to build support for self-rule. It attracted a large number of educated Indians, including students and professionals, and laid the groundwork for future mass movements. Although the movement eventually subsided after the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919, it succeeded in rekindling the demand for self-governance and paved the way for the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi.

Previous Year Questions on the Indian National Congress

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: The slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it" was given by which leader?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Sub has Chandra Bose
C. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
D. Bhagat Singh

Answer: C

Explanation: The slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it" was given by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, one of the prominent leaders of the Extremist faction in the Indian National Congress.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Discuss the role of the Moderates in the Indian National Congress during the early years of its formation. How did their approach differ from that of the Extremists?

Answer: The Moderates played a significant role in shaping the Indian National Congress during its early years (1885-1905). Led by figures such as Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, they believed in achieving political reforms through constitutional methods and peaceful negotiations with the British government. They focused on issues like Indian representation in legislative bodies, economic reforms, and civil rights. In contrast, the Extremists, led by Tilak, Pal, and Lajpat Rai, demanded immediate self-rule and rejected the constitutional approach. They advocated for direct action through Swadeshi, boycotts, and mass mobilization. The differences between these factions culminated in the Surat Split of 1907, highlighting the growing demand for a more assertive approach to achieve independence.