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Formation of INCFormation of INC

Master the formation of the Indian National Congress (1885), its founders, early sessions, objectives, and evolution through the Moderate phase (1885-1905) for AHC RO ARO and UPSC exams.Master the formation of the Indian National Congress (1885), its founders, early sessions, objectives, and evolution through the Moderate phase (1885-1905) for AHC RO ARO and UPSC exams.

Mediumमध्यम 60 min totalकुल 60 मिनट

Chronological Evolution of Formation Of Inc

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Syllabus Core Study Notes (Deep-Dive)

Explore the background, formation, and early years of the Indian National Congress, the cornerstone of India's freedom struggle.

1. Background & Causes for the Formation of INC

The Indian National Congress was founded in December 1885, representing the culmination of India's growing political consciousness and the inadequacy of earlier regional associations.

Factor Details
Administrative Unification British rule unified India administratively and economically, creating a common political space and a uniform legal system (Indian Penal Code, Civil Procedure Code) that facilitated all-India organization.
Socio-Religious Reform Movements The Brahmo Samaj (1828), Arya Samaj (1875), Ramakrishna Mission (1897), and Theosophical Society created a spirit of reform, rationalism, and national awakening that transcended regional boundaries.
Western Education & Press English education introduced liberal ideas of democracy, nationalism, and self-government. Newspapers like The Hindu (1878), Times of India, Amrita Bazar Patrika, and Kesari played a crucial role in disseminating nationalist ideas.
Illiberal Policies of British The Vernacular Press Act (1878), Arms Act (1878), Ilbert Bill controversy (1883), and increasing economic exploitation (drain of wealth theory by Dadabhai Naoroji) intensified Indian resentment against British rule.
Role of A.O. Hume A.O. Hume, inspired by the idea of providing a 'safety valve' for growing discontent, convened a meeting of Indian leaders at the Theosophical Convention in Madras (Dec 1884) and circulated a memorandum to graduates of Calcutta University, leading to the formation of INC.
Causes for Formation of INC (1836-1885) Earlier Associations Landholders' Soc. (1836) Bombay Assoc. (1852) Madras Native Assoc. (1852) British Policies Economic Exploitation Vernacular Press Act 1878 Ilbert Bill Controversy 1883 Socio-Religious Reform Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj Theosophical Society Ramakrishna Mission Western Education & Press Liberal Ideas, Democracy Nationalist Newspapers Growing Middle Class Formation of INC (Dec 28-31, 1885) First Session, Bombay - W.C. Bonnerjee (President)

2. The First Session & Early Presidents of INC

The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay from December 28-31, 1885. Here are the key details of the early sessions:

Session Year President Key Facts
1st 1885 W.C. Bonnerjee Held in Bombay at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College. 72 delegates attended. Prayers and resolutions on civil rights, administrative reforms.
2nd 1886 Dadabhai Naoroji Held in Calcutta. 436 delegates attended. Dadabhai Naoroji was the second President and later became the first Indian MP in British House of Commons (1892).
3rd 1887 Badruddin Tyabji Held in Madras. Tyabji was the first Muslim President of INC. The session highlighted the inclusive character of the Congress.
4th 1888 George Yule Held in Allahabad. Yule was the first English President of INC. This showed that Congress welcomed all communities and nationalities.
5th 1889 Pherozeshah Mehta Held in Bombay. The British Indian Association of Punjab and other regional bodies began merging with the Congress.
6th 1890 Pherozeshah Mehta Held in Calcutta. Second consecutive term for Mehta. INC began consolidating its organizational structure.
7th 1891 A. Webb Second English President. Held in Nagpur - first time INC met in Central India.
Key Objectives of Early Congress
  • To promote friendly relations between nationalist political workers from different parts of India.
  • To develop and consolidate the feelings of national unity regardless of caste, religion, or province.
  • To formulate popular demands and present them before the government through constitutional means.
  • To train and organize public opinion in the country for political education.
  • To establish a central political organization that could represent the entire nation.
Prominent Early Leaders (Moderates)
  • Dadabhai Naoroji: 'Grand Old Man of India', author of 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India', first Indian MP in British Parliament.
  • Gopal Krishna Gokhale: Political guru of Gandhi, founder of Servants of India Society (1905).
  • Surendranath Banerjee: 'Surrender Not' Banerjee, founded Indian Association (1876), later merged with INC.
  • Pherozeshah Mehta: 'Uncrowned King of Bombay', co-founder of INC.
  • M.G. Ranade: Mentor of many nationalist leaders, Judge of Bombay High Court, co-founder of INC.

3. The Moderate Phase & Methods of Politics (1885-1905)

The early phase of the Indian National Congress (1885-1905) is known as the Moderate Phase, characterized by constitutional methods and faith in British justice.

Moderate Phase (1885-1905): Methods, Demands & Achievements Methods of Politics ✓ Constitutional Agitation ✓ Prayers, Petitions & Protests ✓ Public Meetings & Resolutions ✓ Press Campaigns & Pamphlets ✓ Annual Congress Sessions Belief in British sense of justice Key Demands ✓ Indianization of Civil Services ✓ Abolition of Indians Abroad ✓ Separation of Judiciary from Executive ✓ Repeal of Arms Act & Vernacular Press Act ✓ Expansion of Legislative Councils Introduction of representative institutions Limitations / Critique ✗ Narrow Social Base (Elitist) ✗ Ignored Mass Mobilization ✗ Over-Reliance on British ✗ No Direct Action Strategy ✗ Failed to Address Economic Issues Led to rise of Extremist nationalism
Indian Councils Act 1892

The Indian Councils Act 1892 was the most significant achievement of Moderate politics. It increased the size of legislative councils and introduced the principle of election (though indirect). However, it fell far short of Congress demands for representative government. This act was later criticized for having 'no real power' and only 'began the system of representation'.

Shift Towards Extremism

By 1905-07, the failure of moderate methods to achieve meaningful concessions, coupled with the Partition of Bengal (1905) and the rise of leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal-Bal-Pal), led to the rise of the 'Extremist' or 'Assertive Nationalist' school within the INC, culminating in the Surat Split of 1907.

4. Safety Valve Theory vs Nationalist Theory

Two major theories explain the formation of the Indian National Congress. Understanding both is crucial for RO/ARO exams where statement-based questions are frequently asked.

Aspect Safety Valve Theory Nationalist Theory
Proponents British officials, Lala Lajpat Rai (initially) Indian nationalists, R.C. Dutt, G.K. Gokhale
Core Argument INC was created by the British to provide a 'safety valve' for Indian discontent and prevent another 1857-like rebellion. INC was the natural outcome of India's political awakening; Indian leaders were already moving towards a national organization.
Role of Hume Hume was the chief architect acting on behalf of the British government. Hume merely facilitated what was already inevitable; he was a well-wisher who helped bridge gaps between Indian leaders.
Role of Dufferin Dufferin actively supported and encouraged the formation of INC. Dufferin was initially skeptical and later became hostile; he called INC 'a microscopic minority'.
Evidence Hume's own writings, his meeting with Dufferin, the timing after the Ilbert Bill controversy. Pre-INC political organizations, growing nationalist press, economic critique by Indian leaders, Ilbert Bill unity.
Balanced View

Modern historians take a balanced view: While Hume's role as a facilitator is undeniable, the INC was not merely a British creation. The growth of political consciousness through socio-religious reforms, the press, and earlier political associations had created fertile ground for a national organization. Hume provided the catalyst, but the reaction was already primed to occur.

5. Role of Press in National Awakening

The Indian press played a crucial role in creating political consciousness and facilitating the formation of the INC. Key newspapers and their contributions:

Newspaper Year Started Founder/Editor Contribution
The Hindu 1878 G. Subramania Iyer Championed Indian causes, criticized British policies, promoted nationalist ideas in Madras Presidency.
Amrita Bazar Patrika 1868 Sisir Kumar Ghosh Became vociferous critic of British rule, especially after Vernacular Press Act. Shifted from moderate to radical stance.
Kesari 1881 Bal Gangadhar Tilak Marathi newspaper that spread nationalist ideas in Maharashtra. Used simple language to reach masses.
Bengalee 1862 Surendranath Banerjee English weekly that articulated moderate nationalist views and criticized British economic policies.
Som Prakash 1859 Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Bengali weekly that promoted social reform and political awareness among Bengali readers.
Impact of Vernacular Press Act (1878)

The Vernacular Press Act (1878) imposed by Lord Lytton sought to curb the freedom of Indian-language newspapers. This repressive legislation united Indian journalists and politicians across regions, demonstrating the need for an all-India political platform. The Act was repealed by Lord Ripon in 1882, but the damage to British credibility was done.

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