How was the Indian National Congress formed? History Notes

History of The Indian National Congress (INC): Formation and key decisions

The first thing that comes when we study the chronology of the freedom struggle of India is the formation of the Indian National Congress. The INC is precisely the first organization of India that had admitted objective of attaining complete independence in India. The INC was technically the only party throughout this period.

Read more: The Directive Principles of State Policy(DPSP)

Read more: History of Round Table Conferences

History: The formation of Indian National Congress (INC)

Founder of INC – A. O. Hume

Allan Octavian Hume was born on 4th June 1829 with British Nationality was the founder of INC. He was a member of Imperial Civil Services for British India. He was also an ornithologist. He is often called “the Father of Indian Ornithology”. His basic idea before INC was to provide a platform for civil and political dialogue among educated Indians

A glance at the INC

1. In December 1884, a private meeting was called by Allan Octavian Hume with 17 men after the Theosophical convention in Madras. This was the meeting which finally conceived the formation of INC.

2. Finally, on 28 December 1885, INC was found at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay.

Note: General Secretary – A. I. Hume President – Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee

Apart from Hume, two additional British members, William Wedderburn, and Justice John Jardine, Scottish civil servants were also the members of the founding group. The other members were mostly Hindus from the Bombay and Madras Presidencies.

3. It was specifically made to obtain greater participation in educated Indians in the creation of a forum that can settle the conversation between Indians and the British population.

4. The first official meeting of this congress was in Pune but due to the cholera outbreak, they shifted the meeting to Bombay now Mumbai

5. Apart from Congress, few small groups we’re also formed including Madras Mahajana Sabha by Mahadeva Govinda Ranadein 1881. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha for social reforms and national awakening was formed in 1867. Under Feroz Shall Mehta and Badruddin Tayabji, the Bombay Presidency Association was formed. Apart from this, Surendra Natli Banerjee and Anand Mohan Bose from Indian Association was an active part of the agitation.

From 1885 to 1905, the INC made several resolutions sections-

a.    Civil Rights – The party leaders did realize the value of free speech and press. Hence, they started to administer civil rights.

c.     Constitution – It made requests to increase the power of legislative councils and to include the Indian representatives who were elected. Though, the British government did not pay significant regard to this demand.

b.    Administration – The INC ran public welfare measures. It asked and urged the government to remove certain administrative abuses. It gave a specific emphasis on the appointment of Indians in government-related services. They raised their voices against the violent and unjust activities of Government.

d.    Economy: Congress was not very accurate in this area. Though, it put forward specific suggestions for economic improvement. Later, it demanded salt tax to empower the poor.

7. Till 1905, Congress didn’t get wide public support but with the coming of Lord Curzon and his act of partition of Bengal, Surendranath Banerjea, senior congress leader and Henrey Cotton broke all the barriers and created an instrumentality with the Swadeshi Movement.

8. In 1915, the original agitation took place since Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa after winning the battle against apartheid. In India, he got really disappointed by the condition of farmers and started the Champaran Movement. It was his first move against the British government.

9. Gandhi was appointed as the president of INC when he came back to India. He was always a figure which empowers spirituality and ahimsa. By 1919, which is precisely the end of the First World War, he became the icon and leader of spirituality.

10. This party was the backbone of the entire freedom struggle. The only party/organization/association that withstand with contentment to attain freedom was congress. From the Champaran Movement, Swadeshi Movement, civil disobedience movement, Non-cooperation movement, Salt March, The Round Table Conferences etc till the final act of achieving freedom; INC was the soul of everything.

11. Over time, it developed a network of around 15 million members and 70 million participants. The main force behind the end of the colonial rule in India is The INC.

12. After the Independence also, INC has always been a great power. In the 16 general elections to date, the Congress has won on six occasions and has led the ruling coalition four times.

13. The Party has given some great leaders including Seven Indian Prime Ministers that we’re elected from the party – Jawaharlal Nehru, Gulzarilal Nanda, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P. V. Narsimha Rao and Manmohan Singh. All of them were big change-makers in their tenure.

The Indian National Congress is not just the soul party of the freedom struggle but was the entire reason behind the agitation of freedom. From the Champaran Movement, Swadeshi Movement, civil disobedience movement, Non-cooperation movement, Salt March and The Round Table Conferences, everywhere, INC had an essential role. This topic is specifically important for exams like SSC, CHSL, Bank Exams, and UPSC etc.

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