Introduction

The Indian National Congress (INC) is one of India’s oldest and most influential political parties. It was founded in 1885 and played a key role in India’s independence movement. Initially, it provided a platform for Indian leaders to raise concerns and demand reforms from the British. Over time, under leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, it transformed into a mass movement pushing for full independence.

Formation of the Indian National Congress

• Role of A.O. Hume: A retired British official, A.O. Hume helped create the INC by bringing together Indian intellectuals.
• First Congress Session:
  • Held in December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay.
  • Attended by 72 delegates, mostly lawyers.
  • Lord Dufferin was the British Viceroy at the time.
  • From then on, the INC held annual sessions in different parts of India.

Safety Valve Theory

Some believe the British allowed Congress to form as a “safety valve” to control rising Indian dissatisfaction. Supporters of this theory include Lala Lajpat Rai and R.P. Dutt, but modern historians largely reject it.

Key Congress Sessions & Presidents

Other Important Leaders

• Kadambini Ganguly: First woman graduate of Calcutta University, spoke at an INC session in 1890.
• Madan Mohan Malviya: Served as INC President four times (1909, 1918, 1930, 1932). Gandhi called him “the maker of modern India.”

Moderate Phase of Congress (1885-1905)

• Led by Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, D.E. Wacha, S.N. Banerjee, and W.C. Bonnerjee.
• Believed in peaceful and legal methods, following the “3P method”—Petition, Prayer, and Propaganda.
• Thought the British wanted to be fair to Indians but were unaware of their struggles.
• Focused on educating people and uniting Indians politically.

Key Demands of the Moderates

1. Political Reforms:
   • Elected members in legislatures.
   • Two Indians in the Viceroy’s Executive Council.
   • Right to discuss and vote on the budget. (“No Taxation without Representation”)
2. Administrative Reforms:
   • Higher age limit for Indian Civil Service (ICS) exams.
   • Separation of the executive and judiciary.
   • Holding ICS exams in India.
   • Lower defense spending and more welfare spending.
3. Other Concerns:
   • Fair treatment of Indian workers in British colonies.
   • Criticism of oppressive British policies.

Contributions of the Moderates

• Exposed British economic exploitation.
• Encouraged self-governance for India like Canada and Australia.
• Helped shape the early nationalist movement.
• Laid the foundation for future mass movements.
• However, their movement had limited public participation.

British Response to Congress

• “Divide and Rule” Strategy: The British tried to weaken INC by supporting groups like the United Indian Patriotic Association to oppose Congress.
• Carrot and Stick Approach: The British encouraged differences within the Congress, especially between moderates and extremists.
• Lord Curzon’s View: “The Congress is tottering to its fall, and my ambition is to ensure its peaceful demise.”
• Lord Dufferin’s View: Called Congress a “factory of sedition.”