Allan Octavian Hume (A.O Hume), a retired British civil servant, founded the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885. Dadabhai Naoroji and Dinshaw Wacha were also the founding members. In 1885, the first session was held in Bombay under the presidency of Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee. The first session drew 72 delegates from across the country. Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India at the time, granted Hume permission for the first session. In this article, we will discuss the foundation and moderate phase of the Indian National Congress which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Indian National Congress - Background

• Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British Indian Civil Service (ICS) officer, founded the Indian National Congress to create a forum for civil and political dialogue among educated Indians.
• Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the East India Company relinquished control of India to the British Empire.
• Ironically, one of the ways the Congress grew and survived, particularly during the 19th-century era of undisputed British dominance or hegemony, was through the patronage of British authorities and the rising class of Indians and Anglo-Indians educated in the English-based British tradition.
• Hume obtained the viceroy's approval in May 1885 to establish an "Indian National Union," which would be affiliated with the government and serve as a forum for Indian public opinion.
• The Indian National Congress was founded on December 28, 1885, at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay, with 72 delegates in attendance.
• Hume was appointed General Secretary, and Calcutta's Womesh Chandra Bannerjee was elected President.
• In addition to Hume, two other British members (both Scottish civil servants) were founding members: William Wedderburn and Justice (later, Sir) John Jardine.
• The remaining members were mostly Hindus from the Bombay and Madras Presidency.
• The Congress was formed with the intention of discussing issues that all citizens of the country face, regardless of caste, creed, religion, or language. In its moderate phase, it was primarily a movement of upper and middle-class, western-educated Indians.

Foundation of INC

• 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.

*For detailed notes on this topic, check this link Foundation of INC

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, the Indianization of civil services, and other issues.

Moderate Phase (1885-1905)

• Between 1885 and 1905, the Early Nationalists, also known as the Moderates, were a group of political leaders in India whose appearance signalled the beginning of India's organized national movement.
• Pherozeshah Mehta and Dadabhai Naoroji were two important moderate leaders.
• Members of the group were drawn from educated middle-class professionals such as lawyers, teachers, and government officials, with many of them having received their education in England.
• The moderate political activity involved constitutional agitation within the bounds of the law and demonstrated a slow but orderly political progression.
• To accomplish these goals, they used a two-pronged strategy:
  • First, they created a strong public opinion to arouse consciousness and national spirit, and then they educated and united people on common political issues;
  • Second, they persuaded the British Government and British public opinion to implement reforms in India along the lines laid out by the nationalists.
• In order to accomplish this, a British committee of the Indian National Congress was formed in London in 1899, with India serving as its organ.

*For detailed notes on this topic, check this link Moderate Phase (1885-1905)

Conclusion

From 1885 to 1905, the Moderates dominated the affairs of the Indian National Congress. They were Indians in appearance, but British in taste, intellect, opinions, and morals. They believed in patience, consistency, conciliation, and unity. As a result, we can say that the Moderates served as a safety valve between the masses and the British. However, their Indian blood rejuvenated over time, and their leaders urged them to overthrow the British through an institutional method.

FAQs

MCQs

1. When was the Indian National Congress established?

A) 1905
B) 1885
C) 1919
D) 1930

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

A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
C) Allan Octavian Hume
D) Jawaharlal Nehru

3. What was the primary strategy of the moderates in the Indian National Congress?

A) Armed struggle
B) Constitutional reforms and petitions
C) Mass mobilization
D) Boycotts and non-cooperation

4. Which of the following was a significant outcome of the moderate phase of the INC?

A) Launch of the Quit India Movement
B) Formation of the Muslim League
C) Morley-Minto Reforms
D) Dandi March

5. What was a key characteristic of the Indian National Congress during its moderate phase?

A) Aggressive tactics
B) Inclusive policies
C) Emphasis on radical reforms
D) Religious nationalism

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the role of the Indian National Congress in the Indian independence movement during its early phase.

Answer: The Indian National Congress (INC) played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement during its early phase, particularly through its formation in 1885 and subsequent activities. Initially, the INC aimed to provide a platform for discussing political reforms and addressing the concerns of Indians under British rule. Through petitions and resolutions, the Congress sought to engage with the colonial government, advocating for constitutional reforms and civil rights. The early phase was marked by a moderate approach, with leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale emphasizing dialogue over confrontation. This foundation of organized political action helped to raise political awareness among Indians, fostering a sense of national identity. Although the moderates faced challenges in achieving substantial reforms, their efforts laid the groundwork for more assertive nationalist movements in the years to come.

Q2: Analyze the significance of the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 in the context of the Indian National Congress.

Answer: The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 were significant in the context of the Indian National Congress as they marked the first major acknowledgment by the British government of Indian political aspirations. These reforms introduced limited representative government in the Indian legislative councils, allowing Indians to participate in governance for the first time. However, the reforms also created a separate electorate for Muslims, which eventually led to communal divisions. For the INC, while the reforms represented a step toward political representation, they fell short of the expectations of its leaders who sought greater autonomy and self-governance. The limitations of the reforms highlighted the need for a more robust and united national movement, leading to a shift in the Congress's strategies and the emergence of more radical elements within the party in the following decades.

Q3: Discuss the challenges faced by the Indian National Congress during its moderate phase and their implications for the freedom struggle.

Answer: The Indian National Congress faced several challenges during its moderate phase that impacted its effectiveness in the freedom struggle. One major challenge was the limited response from the British government to its demands for reforms, leading to frustration among its leaders and supporters. The moderates’ reliance on constitutional methods and dialogue often resulted in slow progress, which could not keep pace with the growing discontent among the masses. Additionally, the Congress struggled to maintain unity among diverse regional and social groups, which sometimes led to internal conflicts over strategies and goals. The realization that moderate tactics were insufficient to achieve significant reforms paved the way for the emergence of more radical leaders and strategies within the INC. This evolution ultimately strengthened the independence movement by broadening its base and increasing its assertiveness against colonial rule.

Previous Year Questions on Indian National Congress

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:

Question: In which year was the Indian National Congress founded?

A) 1905
B) 1919
C) 1885
D) 1930

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, marking the beginning of organized political action against British rule in India.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Analyze the role of the Indian National Congress in the freedom struggle during its early years." Discuss in detail.

Answer: The Indian National Congress played a crucial role in the early years of the freedom struggle by providing a platform for political discourse and advocating for Indian rights. Its initial approach focused on constitutional reforms and engagement with the British government, aiming for gradual change. The Congress's efforts to unite diverse Indian communities and raise awareness about political issues were significant in shaping national consciousness. Although the moderate phase faced limitations in achieving immediate reforms, it set the stage for more radical movements and established a foundation for the later phases of the independence struggle.