Indian National Movement - 2 - UPSC PDF Download

The Indian National Congress (INC)

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded by A.O Hume in 1885, originally under the name Indian Nation Union. Its creation was not a mere coincidence; rather, it was the result of a political awakening that began in the 1860s and 1870s and gained momentum in the late 1870s and early 1880s. The year 1885 marked a turning point in this process, as modern intellectuals with a keen interest in politics, who saw themselves as national representatives instead of narrow group representatives, witnessed their efforts come to fruition. The all-India nationalist organization they formed would serve as a platform, organizer, headquarters, and symbol of the newfound national spirit and politics.

Background of INC's Foundation

• The foundation for an all-India organization had been laid in the late 1870s and early 1880s, and it was the retired English civil servant A.O. 
• Hume who gave this idea a concrete form by mobilizing prominent intellectuals of that era. Hume obtained permission from the then-Viceroy of India, Lord Dufferin, to hold the first session, which was initially planned to take place in Poona but was shifted to Bombay due to a cholera outbreak. In 1883, Hume had written an open letter to graduates of Calcutta University, expressing his desire to create a body for educated Indians that would demand greater participation in governance and provide a platform for dialogue. 
• In 1890, Kadambini Ganguly, the first woman graduate of Calcutta University, addressed the Congress session, symbolizing the freedom struggle's commitment to granting women their rightful place in India's national life.

Features of INC's Foundation

• The INC was the first national political movement in India, initially aiming to involve more Indians in the country's governance. Its objective was later updated to complete independence, and after achieving this, the INC evolved into a major political party in India. In its early years, the INC was a moderate organization that relied on constitutional methods and dialogue to pursue its goals. Its demands were limited, focusing on increasing the number of Indians in civil service and armed forces positions, without explicitly mentioning independence. However, over time, the party's demands and approach became more radical.
• By 1905, a clear division within the party had emerged, separating the old moderates from the newer group of extremists, who were labeled as such due to their more radical methods. In addition to the Indian National Congress, nationalist activities were conducted through provincial conferences and associations, newspapers, and literature.

Objectives of INC

• The goals of the Indian National Congress (INC) include fostering friendly relationships among nationalist political activists from different parts of India and cultivating a sense of national unity that transcends caste, religion, and regional divisions. The INC aims to identify and articulate the demands of the public and present them to the governing authorities while also educating and organizing public opinion in the country. It serves as a channel for expressing the growing dissatisfaction with British rule, acting as a "safety valve."
• One of the main objectives of the INC is to establish a democratic, nationalist movement through a pan-India organization. The Congress works to raise awareness about the exploitative policies of colonial rule and the political rights of Indians. Its focus is on increasing representation in councils, promoting Indianization of civil services, and addressing other relevant issues.

Role of A.O Hume

The concept of an all-India Congress is believed to have originated from a private meeting of seventeen individuals following the Theosophical Convention in Madras in December 1884. A.O Hume's Indian union, which he established after retiring from the Civil Service, is also thought to have played a significant role in convening the Congress. Regardless of the origin or the individual responsible for the idea, it is clear that there was a demand for such an organization, and A.O Hume took the initiative.

• A.O Hume was the son of Joseph Hume, a British radical leader, and inherited his father's political views. He was initially interested in European revolutionary organizations. In 1849, Hume joined the East India Company's civil service and served in the Northwestern Provinces. He engaged in various projects, such as promoting education, combating social issues, and advancing agriculture. In 1861, Hume even started a newspaper in Etawah to educate the local population on political and social matters.
• Hume's pro-Indian stance and his efforts to improve the welfare of Indians were not well-received by his fellow British officers. In 1870, he was appointed Secretary to the Government of India, but his opinions led to Viceroy Northbrook threatening him with dismissal. Hume also clashed with Lord Lytton and was demoted in 1879 before retiring from the army in 1882. After retirement, he settled in Shimla and developed an interest in Indian politics.
• Hume sympathized more with the Bombay and Poona groups than with Calcutta leaders such as Surendranath Banerjee and Narendra Nath Sen. He also met Viceroy Lord Ripon and became intrigued by the latter's plan for local self-government.

First Session of INC in 1885

• In December 1885, the first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) took place at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay, organized by A.O. Hume and supported by prominent intellectuals of that era. Prior to this, the Indian National Conference, founded by Surendranath Banerjea and Ananda Mohan Bose, held two sessions in 1883 and 1885, with representatives from major towns in India.
• The inaugural session of the INC attracted 72 delegates from various Indian provinces, comprising 54 Hindus, 2 Muslims, and the remaining members from Jain and Parsi communities. Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee presided over the first session, and subsequent sessions were held annually in December, each time in a different part of the country.
• Some of the early prominent Congress presidents included Dadabhai Naoroji (who served as president three times), Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozeshah Mehta, P. Ananda Charlu, Surendranath Banerjea, Romesh Chandra Dutt, Ananda Mohan Bose, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Other notable leaders during this period were Mahadev Govind Ranade, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sisir Kumar Ghosh, Motilal Ghosh, Madan Mohan Malaviya, G. Subramania Aiyar, C. Vijayaraghavachariar, and Dinshaw E. Wacha.

Foundational Theories of INC

Safety Valve Theory (Lala Lajpat Rai)

• The fact that the INC was founded by a retired English civil servant, A.O.Hume, rather than an Indian, has led to speculation that Hume founded the INC to provide a "safety value" to the growing discontent with British rule.
• It is also reported that Hume received the idea for an annual conference of educated Indians for political discussions from Viceroy Dufferin.
• This may be true in part, but there is no reliable evidence that Dufferin suggested the formation of the INC or that the INC was intended as a "safety value."

Conspiracy Theory (R P Dutt)

• The Marxist historian's conspiracy theory arose from the 'safety valve' concept.
• According to R.P. Dutt, the Indian National Congress arose from a conspiracy to suppress a popular uprising in India, and the bourgeois leaders were complicit in it.

Lightning Conductor Theory (G.K Gokhale)

• The Indian National Congress represented the desire of politically conscious Indians to establish a national body to express Indian political and economic demands.
• If the Indians had formed such a body on their own, the officials would have been vehemently opposed; such an organization would not have been allowed to form.
• The early Congress leaders used Hume as a 'lightning conductor,' i.e., a catalyst to bring together nationalistic forces, even if under the guise of a'safety valve.'

Early Phase Indian National Congress

Introduction

• Indian National Congress(INC), a political party of India was formed in 1885,
• INC was formed in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant. Other founding members include Dadabhai Naoroji and Dinshaw Wacha
• The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in December 1885 in Bombay with seventy two delegates
• More than just a political party, Congress was an assembly for politically-minded individuals who were interested in reform
• Initially, the Congress was formed with the intention of discussing problems faced by the people of the country irrespective of caste, creed, religion or language
• It was basically a movement of the upper and middle class, western-educated Indians in its moderate phase

 Foundation

• In 1883, Hume had outlined his idea for a body representing Indian interests in an open letter to graduates of the University of Calcutta.
• It aimed to obtain a greater share in government for educated Indians and to create a platform for civic and political dialogue between them and the British Raj
• Hume organized the first meeting in Bombay with the approval of the Viceroy Lord Dufferin.
• Umesh Chandra Banerjeewas the first president of Congress; the first session was attended by 72 delegates, representing each province of India
• In 1890, Kadambini Ganguly, the first woman graduate of Calcutta University, addressed the Congress session, which symbolised the commitment of the freedom struggle to give the women of India their due status in national life

Aims and Objectives of the Congress

• Find a democratic, nationalist movement
• Politicise and politically educate people
• Establish the headquarters for a movement
• Promote friendly relations among nationalist political workers from different parts of the country;
• Develop and propagate an anti-colonial nationalist ideology
• Formulate and present popular demands before the government with a view to unifying the people over a common economic and political programme;
• Develop and consolidate a feeling of national unity among people irrespective of religion, caste or province
• Carefully promote and nurture Indian nationhood

 The Moderate Phase

• The period between 1885 to 1905 is referred to as the Moderate Phase of Congress
• The prominent Moderate leaders include:
• Dadabhai Naoroji
  • Known as the Grand Old man of India
  • He became the first Indian to become a member of the House of Commons in Britain
  • Authored ‘Poverty and Un-British rule in India’, which focused on the economic drain of India through British policies
• Womesh Chandra Bannerjee
  • First president of INC
  • Lawyer by profession. First Indian to act as Standing Counsel
• G Subramanya Aiyer
  • Founded ‘The Hindu’ Newspaper, where he criticised British imperialism
  • Co-founded the Madras Mahajana Sabha
• Gopal Krishna Gokhale
  • Regarded as Mahatma Gandhi’s political guru
  • Founded the servants of India Society
• Surendranath Banerjee
  • Also called ‘Rashtraguru’ and ‘Indian Burke’
  • Found the Indian National Association which later merged with the INC
  • Founded newspaper ‘The Bengalee’
• Moderate Approach
  • The Early Nationalists believed in patience and conciliation rather than confrontation, adopting orderly progress and constitutional means to realise their aims
  • To educate the people, to arouse political consciousness, and to create powerful public opinion in favour of their demands they organised annual sessions
  • Processions and meetings were held, speeches delivered and discussions held on various economic, social and political questions
  • They also drafted petitions and memorandums before submitting them to the government.
  • To influence the British government and to enlighten the British public and its political leaders, the Early Nationalists sent deputations of leading Indian leaders to England

Achievements of Moderate Nationalists

• The moderate nationalists played a crucial role in shaping India's political landscape by creating a national awakening among the people. They helped Indians realize the importance of shared political, economic, and cultural interests that united them. Furthermore, they introduced concepts such as democracy, civil liberties, secularism, and nationalism, which were instrumental in training people in politics.
• The early nationalists carefully assessed the political economy of British rule in India and developed the "drain theory" to explain the exploitation of India by the British. Their efforts also led to the implementation of various social reforms, such as the establishment of a Public Service Commission and a resolution of the House of Commons in 1893, which allowed for simultaneous examinations for the Indian Civil Service in London and India. Additionally, the Welby Commission on Indian Expenditure was appointed in 1895 as a result of their advocacy.
• These moderate nationalists had a long-term vision of achieving democratic self-government for India. Their demands for constitutional reforms were partially met with the introduction of the Indian Councils Act in 1892. Through their relentless campaigning, they were able to disseminate modern democratic ideas among the masses, making the defense of civil rights an essential aspect of the freedom struggle.
• This heightened awareness led to widespread public outcry at the arrest of prominent leaders and journalists, such as Tilak and the Natu brothers, in the late 19th century. The early nationalists' efforts laid the foundation for future political movements in India, eventually leading to the country's independence from British rule.

Evaluation of Early Work of Congress

• Whatever may be the drawback in the demands put forward by the Congress, it was a national body in true sense of the term
• There was nothing in its programme to which any class might take exception
• Its doors were open to all classes and communities.
• Its programme was broad enough to accommodate all interests.
• It may be said that it was not a party, but a movement.
• It must be said to the credit of the nationalist leaders that though they belonged to the urban educated middle class, they were too broad-minded and free from narrow and sectional class interests.
• They kept in mind the larger interests of the people in general

Criticism

• Critics have pointed out that the approaches adopted by the Early Nationalists, such as passing resolutions and submitting petitions, were insufficient. They argue that these methods relied on the goodwill of the British rather than focusing on the nationalists' own strength and directly confronting colonial rule.
• Additionally, some historians believe that the Early Nationalists did not fully comprehend the British government's motivations and thought that the fundamentally opposing interests of the colonial administration and the nationalist movement could be resolved in favor of the latter.
• Moreover, the Early Nationalists were unable to effectively integrate the masses into the national movement's core, resulting in their influence remaining restricted to the urban educated Indian population.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Indian National Congress, founded in 1885 by A.O Hume and other prominent leaders, played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. The initial moderate phase of the INC focused on constitutional methods and dialogue to achieve its objectives, which included promoting national unity, raising awareness about colonial exploitative policies, and demanding greater participation of Indians in governance. Despite criticisms regarding their methods and limited influence, the early nationalists made significant contributions to the awakening of national consciousness, the spread of democratic ideas, and the establishment of a platform for Indians to voice their concerns and aspirations. Ultimately, the foundation of the INC marked the beginning of a long journey towards India's independence and the development of a modern democratic nation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Indian National Movement - 2

Who were the founding members of the Indian National Congress (INC)?

The founding members of the INC were Allan Octavian Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Dinshaw Wacha.

What were the main aims of the Indian National Congress during its early phase?

The main aims of the INC during its early phase were to promote friendly relations among nationalist political workers from different parts of the country, develop and consolidate a feeling of national unity among people irrespective of religion, caste, or province, formulate and present popular demands before the government, and establish a democratic, nationalist movement.

What was the Moderate Phase of Congress?

The Moderate Phase of Congress refers to the period between 1885 to 1905, when Congress was predominantly led by moderate leaders who believed in patience, conciliation, and constitutional means to achieve their goals.

What were some of the achievements of the Moderate Nationalists?

Some of the achievements of the Moderate Nationalists include creating a national awakening among the people, training people in politics, analyzing the political economy of British rule in India, and influencing the British government to implement various social reforms.

What were the main criticisms of the Early Nationalists' approach?

The main criticisms of the Early Nationalists' approach were that their methods of passing resolutions and sending petitions were seen as inadequate, their reliance on the generosity of the British government rather than their own strength, and their failure to draw the masses into the mainstream of the national movement.