The Birth of Congress: Safety-Valve Thesis and the Social Composition of Early Leadership | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Safety-valve thesis relating to the birth of the Congress

• Hume's role in the formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) sparked controversy about its origins.
• The safety-valve theory, derived from Hume's involvement, was once widely accepted by historians across the political spectrum.
• Even prominent figures in the nationalist movement embraced this theory, though recent research has discredited it.
• William Wedderburn's 1913 biography of Hume introduced the safety-valve theory.
• Wedderburn claimed that Hume, disturbed by reports of discontent and conspiracy against British rule, proposed creating the INC to prevent a mass uprising.
• The INC was thus seen as a creation of British rule, serving as a communication link between rulers and the ruled.
• Earlier nationalist historians believed in the safety-valve theory, while imperialist historians used it to undermine the Congress.
• Marxist historians developed a conspiracy theory from it.
• Lala Lajpat Rai, in 1916, attacked Congress Moderates using the safety-valve theory, suggesting Congress was a British creation to protect the Empire.
• R. Palme Dutt's 1930 work "India Today" popularized the safety-valve myth, portraying Congress as a product of a conspiracy against popular uprising.
• M.S. Golwalkar, in 1939, used the safety-valve theory to criticize Congress for its secularism, viewing it as anti-nationalism.
• C.F. Andrews and Girija Mukherji accepted the safety-valve theory in their 1938 work "The Rise and Growth of the Congress in India", appreciating its role in preventing violence.

In the 1950s, the safety-valve or conspiracy theories surrounding the formation of the Indian National Congress were debunked due to several compelling reasons:

• Absence of Evidence: The seven volumes of secret reports purportedly cited in support of these theories were never found in any archives, either in India or London.
• Historians' Perspective: Historians believe that given the British information system in the 1870s, the existence of such numerous secret reports was highly improbable.
• Hume's Role: Hume, serving as Secretary to the Department of Revenue, Agriculture, Commerce, would not have had access to Home Department files or CID reports. Additionally, Hume was in Simla while these files were kept in Delhi, which further complicated any access he might have had.
• Timing of Congress Formation: If the Congress was indeed founded out of fear of an outbreak, it raises the question of why Hume and the British officials waited seven years after the 1878 report to establish it.
• Wedderburn's Claims: Wedderburn suggested that Hume was warned of a potential danger by a Tibetan religious Guru in 1878. However, it is questionable why Hume would trust the accuracy of these reports solely based on their source.
• Misinterpretation of Intent: W.C. Bannerjee's account in 1898 suggested that Hume originally intended to gather Indian leaders for social discussions rather than political ones. However, evidence indicates that Hume's discussions were inherently political.
• Dufferin's Stance: Dufferin and other officials were not supportive of the Congress. In 1888, Dufferin criticized the Congress and considered ways to dissolve it, contradicting the notion of the Congress as a safety valve.
• Fictional Narrative: Historians now believe that the story of the seven volumes of secret reports was a fabrication by Wedderburn to portray Hume as a British patriot aiming to save the Empire from a crisis.
• Hume's Actual Role: While Hume's role in founding the Congress was significant, it may have been overstated in the safety-valve or conspiracy theories. Hume was a political liberal aware of growing discontent among Indians and envisioned a national organization to represent Indian interests.
• Conclusion: The safety-valve theory regarding the genesis of the Congress should be reconsidered, as Hume's role, though important, was part of a broader context of emerging national organizations in India during the 1870s and 1880s.

The Social Composition of early Congress Leadership

• The early Congress had a narrow social base with uneven representation and the total exclusion of non-elite groups in Indian society.
• The delegates at the first Congress showed a shift in political power from landed aristocrats to wester-educated professionals.
• Geographically, Bengal was losing its leadership role to Bombay, which was surging ahead of other regions.
• The first meeting of the Indian National Congress in 1885 had 72 non-official Indian representatives from various backgrounds.
• The regional distribution of delegates included 38 from Bombay Presidency, 21 from Madras, only 4 from Bengal.
• Despite its claims, the Congress was predominantly made up of professionals, landlords, businessmen from the three British Indian presidencies.
• The moderate politicians were mainly from the propertied classes, including lawyers, merchants, bankers, landowners, medical professionals, journalists, educators, religious teachers.
• The British Indian Association of landowners initially supported the Congress and provided financial backing.
• Between 1892 and 1909, 18.99% of Congress delegates were landlords, 39.32% were lawyers, 15.10% were traders, 3.18% were journalists, 2.94% were doctors, 3.16% were teachers, 17.31% were other professionals.
• The delegates were mostly from high-caste Hindu communities, with about 90% being Hindus and only 6.5% being Muslims between 1892 and 1909.
• Among Hindus, 40% were Brahmins and the rest were upper-caste Hindus.
• Over time, the Congress became more representative, with the number of registered Muslim delegates increasing significantly from 2 in 1885 to 254 in 1889.
• The Congress even decided in 1887-88 to avoid debating social or religious issues to gain the support of religious minorities.
• Between 1886 and 1901, a significant 60% of Muslim delegates attending Congress sessions were from Lucknow.
• Delegates from across the country increased from 72 in 1885 to 1,889 by 1888.
• In 1889, thanks to Dwarkanath Ganguly, six women delegates, including Pandita Ramabai and Kadambini Ganguly, were present at the Congress session in Bombay.
• Despite facing ridicule for including women, Ganguly advocated for their right to participate in Congress and legislative matters.
• Kadambini Ganguly made a symbolic contribution at the 1890 Calcutta Session by thanking the Chairman.
• The 1889 session included 41 cultivators and 2 artisans, highlighting diverse social concerns.
• Despite limitations on participation, Congress sessions claimed to represent the whole nation.