Indian National Congress (INC)

• The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885.
• Its establishment was a significant event in the history of India's struggle for independence.
• The INC played a central role in the Indian independence movement.

Background and Context

• In the late 19th century, there was growing discontent among Indians due to British policies.
• Factors contributing to this discontent included economic exploitation, political subjugation, and social discrimination.
• Educated Indians began to form associations and organizations to voice their grievances and demand reforms.
• Some of the early organizations included the British Indian Association, the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, and the Indian Association.
• These organizations were regional in nature and lacked a unified, national platform.
• The idea of forming a national-level organization gained momentum in the 1880s.

A.O. Hume and the Formation of the INC

• Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, played a crucial role in the formation of the INC.
• Hume believed that a platform was needed for educated Indians to express their political aspirations peacefully.
• Hume contacted prominent Indian leaders and intellectuals to garner support for his idea.
• Hume's efforts led to the convening of the first session of the Indian National Congress in December 1885.

First Session of the INC

• The first session was held in Bombay (now Mumbai) from December 28 to 31, 1885.
• The session was attended by 72 delegates from various parts of India.
• Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee was elected as the first president of the INC.
• The main objectives of the first session were to promote friendly relations among nationalist workers from different parts of the country.
• Another objective was to eradicate all prejudices on the grounds of race, creed, or province.
• The session aimed to consolidate the sentiment of national unity and to formulate demands for reforms and self-government.
• Resolutions were passed on various issues, including demands for greater Indian representation in the legislative councils, the abolition of the India Council, and the reduction of military expenditure.

Early Objectives and Moderate Approach

• In its early years, the INC adopted a moderate approach.
• The INC aimed to achieve its objectives through constitutional means, such as submitting petitions and resolutions to the government.
• The early leaders of the INC, often referred to as the Moderates, believed in appealing to the British sense of justice and fair play.
• They sought gradual reforms rather than immediate independence.
• Some prominent Moderate leaders included Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjea.
• The INC focused on issues such as civil rights, administrative reforms, and Indian participation in the government.
• The early INC sessions served as a platform for discussing and articulating Indian grievances and demands.

Significance of the INC's Establishment

• The establishment of the INC was a historic event that marked the beginning of organized nationalist politics in India.
• It provided a common platform for Indians from different regions, religions, and social backgrounds to come together and work for their common interests.
• The INC played a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion against British rule and promoting the idea of a united Indian nation.
• It laid the foundation for the subsequent mass movements and struggles that eventually led to India's independence in 1947.
• The formation of the INC was a turning point in the history of Indian nationalism.
• It represented the culmination of various socio-political forces and marked the beginning of a new era of organized political activity.
• The INC provided a platform for the expression of Indian grievances, the articulation of Indian demands, and the mobilization of Indian public opinion.
• It played a key role in shaping the course of the Indian independence movement and ultimately led to the end of British rule in India.

Evolution and Transformation

• Over the years, the INC underwent significant changes in its ideology, leadership, and methods of struggle.
• In the early 20th century, a more assertive and radical faction emerged within the INC, advocating for complete independence and the use of more aggressive tactics.
• Leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai, known as the Extremists, challenged the moderate approach of the old guard.
• Mahatma Gandhi's entry into Indian politics in the 1910s marked a turning point in the INC's history.
• Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance and his ability to mobilize the masses transformed the INC into a mass-based political organization.
• Under Gandhi's leadership, the INC launched a series of non-cooperation movements, civil disobedience movements, and Quit India movements, which shook the foundations of British rule in India.
• The INC played a central role in the negotiations with the British government that ultimately led to India's independence in 1947.