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Factors responsible for the Formation of the Indian National Congress| Important Points

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Factors responsible for the Formation of the Indian National Congress

The need for an all-India organisation of educated Indians had been felt since 1880, but the Ilbert Bill controversy deepened this desire. The establishment of Indian National Congress (INC) gave rise to one of the most prominent political associations of the 20th century.

The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 by A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant with the aim of providing a platform for Indian leaders to voice their grievances and demand greater Indian representation in the British Government. 

  • The INC was established in 1885, by A.O. Hume, a retired civil servant who was staying in Shimla post-retirement.
  • He invited many Indian leaders regarding the Indian cause, and he laid the foundation of the ‘Indian National Union’.
  • But, after the suggestion of Dadabhai Naoroji, its name was changed to ‘Indian National Congress.’ The word ‘Congress’ was taken from the American Constitution.

It played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. The creation of the Indian National Congress was influenced by several factors. Such as –

  1. British Colonial Rule – British colonial rule in India lasted for almost 200 years and had a significant impact on Indian society. British policies and actions were often seen as oppressive and exploitative, which led to the widespread discontent among Indians.
  2. Western Education and Exposure to democratic ideals – British introduced western education in India which exposed Indian intellectuals to the ideals of democracy, liberty and nationalism. Many educated Indians started to question British colonial rule and advocate for self-rule.
  3. Economic exploitation – British imposed heavy taxes on Indians and exploited their resources which resulted in widespread poverty and unemployment. This led to a growing desire for economic and social justice among Indians. The economic critique of colonial rule by Dadabhai Naoroji in his book ‘Poverty and un-British rule in India’ also helped in the spread of nationalism among Indians.
  4. Early Indian political and social organisations – Several Indian political organisations were formed during the 19th century which played a crucial rule in creating a sense of Indian identity and unity. These organisations included the Indian Associations, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and Indian National Association.
  5. Emergence of Indian leadership – The emergence of Indian leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendra Nath Banerjee and Gopal Krishna Gokhale provided a political voice to the growing Indian Nationalist movement. These leaders advocated for constitutional reform, greater Indian representation in the British government and eventually for Indian independence. 

Overall, the creation of the Indian National Congress (INC) was the result of various factors including British colonial rule, exposure to western education and democratic ideals, economic exploitation, emergence of Indian leadership and the formation of early Indian political and social organisations.

Factors responsible for the Formation of the Indian National Congress

Features of the Indian National Congress 

  • The INC was the first national political movement in India, and its principal objective was to increase Indian participation in political affairs. 
  • It later upgraded its goal to complete independence. It became a significant political force in the nation after gaining independence. 
  • The INC was a moderate organisation in its early years, limiting its strategies to constitutional debate and tactics. 
  • Its demands were restricted to raising the proportion of Indians serving in the military and administration. 
  • The party’s demands and methods eventually became increasingly severe.
  • By 1905, the party was divided into moderates and extremists. 
  • Provincial conferences, organisations, media, and literature joined the Indian National Congress in nationalist activity.

What was the real reason for the establishment of the Indian National Congress?

There are two broad theories behind this:

a) Mythical Theory

This suggested that it was the humanistic approach of A.O. Hume that was cited as one of the factors that led to the establishment of the INC. In fact, it was said that Hume was deeply moved by the political plight of the Indians, and he wanted to establish a political platform for Indians that could serve as the ‘voice for Indians’ so that the grievances could reach the British and the discontentment which was gradually growing between the British ruling system and the Indians could be minimized.

The biographer of A.O. Hume, William Wedderburn, who later on also became the President of the INC as well, deeply believed in the humanistic approach of A.O. Hume.

b) Realistic Theory:

  1. The extremist elements in India like Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, etc. laid down the theory known as ‘Safety- valve’ theory.
  2. Lala Lajpat Rai wrote two books, ‘Unhappy India’, and ‘Punjabi’. In these two books, he explained and criticized the policy of the British regarding the establishment of the INC.
  3. According to him, it was a conspiracy of Lord Dufferin, and A.O. Hume, that lead to the establishment of the INC. In the second half of the 19th Century with the growing tide of nationalism, the aggression of Indians kept on increasing against the British policies, thus the British think-tanks derived a concept by which it was said that in between the British Government in India and the Indian public, there would be a buffer organization known as the Indian National Congress (INC).

Thus the INC would work as a buffer organization, or in other words, it would work as a safety-valve.

The safety-valve theory got a strong momentum in the political circles of India.

But, on the basis of modern analysis, the INC was a result of many a regional consciousness uniting together under the context of commonality of interests. In fact, with the beginning of the 19th Century itself, there were many cultural organizations that were established by social reformers. And cultural organizations always lead to political and social awareness.

Thus, in this regard, we find that immediately after the socio-cultural movement in India (i.e. 19th-century renaissance), we find various political organizations being established like:

  • The Landholders Society, which was established by Dwarakanath Tagore. This was also known as Zamindar Sabha.
  • There were many other organizations like, East India Association, Bengal British East India Association, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, and the Indian League, established by Sisir Kumar Ghosh.

Major objectives of INC

  • A Pan India Organization: To found a democratic, nationalist movement through a pan India organization.
  • Politicize and politically educate people: Congress aimed to increase awareness about the colonial exploitative policies the political rights of Indians. To this end congress focused on demanding increasing representation in councils, Indianization of civil services etc.
  • Anti-colonialism: Develop and propagate an anti-colonial nationalist ideology; Promote friendly relations among nationalist political workers from different parts of the country.
  • Forward looking political and economic programme: Formulate and present popular demands before the government with a view to unifying the people over a common economic and political programme.
  • Promote Nationalism: Develop and consolidate a feeling of national unity among people irrespective of religion, caste or province.

Role of Congress in the Freedom Struggle of India

While there are some evidences to support the safety valve theory, there are several reasons to believe that the Indian National Congress was more than just a safety valve.

  1. Demand for Self rule – The Indian National Congress was created in response to the growing demand for Indian representation in the British government and eventually for self-rule. The congress played a crucial role in articulating these demands and advocating for constitutional reforms.
  2. Mass mobilisation – The congress was able to mobilise millions of Indians through mass campaigns and protests (especially in later period of the INC) including the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit Indian Movement. These movements had a significant impact on the British government and played a crucial rule in India’s struggle for independence.
  3. Emergence of Indian leaders – The congress provided a platform for the emergence of many Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Subash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and many others who played a crucial rule in India’s struggle for independence.
  4. Formation of National Identity – The congress played a crucial role in creating a sense of Indian identity and unity which was essential for the success of the independence movement.
  5. International support – The congress was able to gain support from international organisations and leaders including United Nations and United States which helped to increase pressure on the British government to grant Indian independence.

Apart from that the Indian National Congress also worked in social sphere (opposing many social dogmas) and for the welfare of the people of India.

Overall, while there are some evidences to support the safety valve theory, the Indian National Congress played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence and cannot be dismissed as merely a safety valve.

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