Foundation of Indian National Congress — Revision Notes

⚡ 30-Second Revision

Founded: — Dec 28-31, 1885, Bombay.
Founder: — Allan Octavian Hume (retired ICS officer).
First President: — W.C. Bonnerjee.
Delegates (1st session): — 72.
Venue (1st session): — Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Pathshala.
Key Theory: — Safety Valve Theory (Hume, Dufferin).
Pre-Congress Orgs: — Indian Association (1876, S.N. Banerjee), Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870, M.G. Ranade), Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884, G. Subramania Iyer).
Key Event: — Ilbert Bill Controversy (1883) – exposed racial bias.
Early Objectives: — National unity, administrative reforms, constitutional agitation, not complete independence.
Early Methods: — Petitions, resolutions, appeals to British.

2-Minute Revision

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in December 1885 in Bombay, marking the formal beginning of organized nationalism in India. Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British ICS officer, played the pivotal role in its initiation, gathering 72 delegates for the first session presided over by W.

C. Bonnerjee. The 'safety valve theory' suggests Hume's intention was to provide a peaceful outlet for growing Indian discontent, preventing a violent uprising. However, Indian leaders skillfully used this platform for their own nationalist agenda.

The INC's formation was not an isolated event but the culmination of decades of political awakening, fueled by British administrative unity, Western education, economic exploitation (Drain Theory by Dadabhai Naoroji), and racial discrimination (Ilbert Bill controversy).

Pre-Congress organizations like the Indian Association, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, and Madras Mahajan Sabha had already laid the groundwork. The early objectives of the INC were moderate, focusing on constitutional agitation for administrative reforms, greater Indian representation, and reduced military expenditure, rather than outright independence.

Their methods included petitions, resolutions, and appeals to the British government, reflecting a belief in British justice. Initially benevolent, the British government's attitude soon turned hostile.

The INC's foundation was a critical step in unifying diverse regional aspirations into a coherent national movement.

5-Minute Revision

The foundation of the Indian National Congress (INC) in December 1885 was a landmark event, signifying the birth of organized political nationalism in India. This was the culmination of a complex interplay of factors.

The mid-19th century saw a significant political awakening driven by the unifying impact of British administration (railways, telegraphs), the spread of Western education creating an educated middle class, and growing resentment over economic exploitation (Dadabhai Naoroji's Drain Theory) and racial discrimination (highlighted by the Ilbert Bill controversy of 1883).

Prior to the INC, various regional political associations, such as Surendranath Banerjee's Indian Association (1876), M.G. Ranade's Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870), and the Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884), had emerged, articulating local grievances and demonstrating the need for a pan-Indian platform.

Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British ICS officer, provided the crucial organizational impetus. His role is often debated through the 'safety valve theory,' which posits that he intended the INC to be a constitutional outlet for Indian discontent, thereby averting a larger rebellion.

However, Indian leaders, while accepting Hume's help, skillfully appropriated the platform for their genuine nationalist aspirations. The first session, held in Bombay at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Pathshala, was presided over by W.

C. Bonnerjee and attended by 72 delegates. Key founding members included Dadabhai Naoroji, Pherozeshah Mehta, and M.G. Ranade. The early objectives of the INC were moderate: to foster national unity, articulate public opinion, and demand administrative and legislative reforms (e.

g., Indianization of civil services, expansion of legislative councils, reduction in military expenditure). Their methods involved constitutional agitation through petitions, resolutions, and appeals to the British Parliament, reflecting a belief in British justice and fair play.

Initially, the British government was cautiously benevolent, but as the Congress grew more critical, their attitude shifted to suspicion and hostility, employing 'divide and rule' tactics. The INC's foundation transformed disparate regional aspirations into a coherent national movement, laying the essential groundwork for India's long struggle for independence.

Prelims Revision Notes

For Prelims, focus on absolute facts and their immediate context. The INC was founded on December 28-31, 1885, in Bombay at the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Pathshala. Allan Octavian Hume was the founder, and **W.

C. Bonnerjee was the first president. A total of 72 delegates attended the inaugural session. Key founding members to remember include Dadabhai Naoroji (Drain Theory), Pherozeshah Mehta, Badruddin Tyabji, and M.

G. Ranade. Note that Surendranath Banerjee was NOT present at the first session. The 'Safety Valve Theory'** is crucial: it suggests Hume and Lord Dufferin intended the INC to be a peaceful channel for discontent.

Understand the major pre-Congress political organizations: Indian Association (1876) by Surendranath Banerjee, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870) by M.G. Ranade, and Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884) by G.

Subramania Iyer. Key events leading to INC include the Ilbert Bill Controversy (1883), which exposed racial discrimination, and Lord Lytton's repressive policies (Vernacular Press Act, Arms Act). Early INC objectives were moderate reforms (e.

g., simultaneous ICS exams, legislative council expansion), NOT complete independence. Methods were constitutional agitation (petitions, resolutions). Remember the initial British response was benevolent, turning hostile later.

Mains Revision Notes

For Mains, structure your understanding around analytical themes. The formation of INC was a culmination of factors: (1) Socio-political: British administrative unity, Western education creating an educated middle class, racial discrimination (Ilbert Bill, Arms Act), and the unifying impact of socio-religious reform movements .

(2) Economic: Colonial exploitation, particularly the 'Drain of Wealth' theory by Dadabhai Naoroji, leading to widespread poverty. (3) Pre-existing political consciousness: Evident in regional associations like the Indian Association, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, and Madras Mahajan Sabha , which provided the groundwork and leadership.

The 'Safety Valve Theory' is a critical debate: present both sides – Hume's alleged intention (preventing revolt) and the counter-argument emphasizing Indian agency and genuine nationalist aspirations.

Conclude with a nuanced view, acknowledging Hume's catalytic role but stressing Indian appropriation. Analyze the early objectives and methods as characteristic of the [LINK:/history/his-09-02-moderate-phase|Moderate Phase] : belief in British justice, constitutional agitation (petitions, resolutions), demand for administrative reforms (not independence), and political education.

The British response evolved from initial benevolence to suspicion and hostility, employing 'divide and rule' tactics . Emphasize the significance of INC as the first organized national platform, fostering unity and laying the foundation for India's freedom struggle, despite its initial limitations (elite character, moderate methods).

Use the 'Paradox of Colonial Midwifery' to frame how British policies inadvertently aided nationalism.

Vyyuha Quick Recall

HUME-1885

H - Hume, Allan Octavian (Founder) U - Unity, National (Key Objective) M - Moderates (Early Phase Ideology) E - Eighteen Eighty-Five (Year of Foundation) 1 - First Session (Bombay, W.C. Bonnerjee) 8 - 72 Delegates (Number at 1st Session) 8 - Eighteen (18) Hundreds (Context of 19th Century) 5 - Safety Valve Theory (Key Debate)