Introduction to Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded as a major political party in India, playing a crucial role in the struggle for independence from British rule. The formation of the INC in 1885 marked a significant milestone in Indian political history.
Key Initiator: A.O. Hume
- A.O. Hume, an Englishman and retired civil servant, was the primary figure behind the initiation of the Indian National Congress.
- He envisioned the INC as a platform for political dialogue between the British government and the Indian populace.
Objectives of Forming INC
- Hume aimed to create a space for educated Indians to express their political aspirations.
- The INC was intended to advocate for constitutional reforms and greater self-governance.
Role of Other Figures
- While A.O. Hume is credited with the founding, other prominent Indian leaders like W.C. Banerjee, who became the first president of the INC, played essential roles in its early development.
- Leaders like Annie Besant and Mahatma Gandhi later contributed significantly to the party's evolution and mobilization efforts.
Conclusion
- The Indian National Congress laid the groundwork for organized political activism in India, eventually leading to the independence movement.
- A.O. Hume's initiative to form the INC was pivotal in channeling the growing nationalist sentiments among Indians and providing a formal structure for political engagement.
Thus, the correct answer to the question is option 'B', A.O. Hume, because he was the primary initiator of the movement that led to the formation of the Indian National Congress.