1885: Founding of the Indian National Congress, Pioneering India’s Struggle for Independence Against British Rule
The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, holds a central place in the history of modern India and its struggle for independence from British colonial rule. The formation of the INC was a significant moment in the political history of India, as it marked the beginning of an organized political movement that would eventually lead the country to independence in 1947. The Congress was founded in the Bombay Presidency (modern-day Mumbai) during a time when India was still under the control of the British Empire, and the idea of political self-rule seemed distant. However, the formation of the INC and its evolution into a mass movement played a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion, spreading nationalistic ideas, and eventually challenging British colonialism.
The Political and Social Climate of Late 19th Century India
The late 19th century was a period of great change in India, both socially and politically. The British had established a firm grip over the subcontinent, following the culmination of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which was suppressed with brutal force. The British Crown had taken direct control of India from the East India Company, which had previously governed large parts of the subcontinent. The new era, marked by Crown Rule, brought significant changes to India’s political landscape, but it also led to growing unrest and discontent among the Indian populace.
During this period, a new class of educated Indians, mostly from the upper strata of society, began to emerge. These individuals were educated in English and were exposed to Western ideas of governance, democracy, and liberty. The rise of this educated middle class was the result of the British colonial education system, which, while designed to create a loyal bureaucracy for the British Empire, also introduced ideas that would inspire Indian leaders to seek reforms and political change. The British education system produced a generation of Indians who were well-versed in the ideals of liberty, justice, and equality, and who began to question the legitimacy of British rule.
Furthermore, the Indian society in the late 19th century was witnessing a renaissance of sorts, with social reform movements gaining momentum. Leaders such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and others were advocating for reforms in areas like education, women's rights, and the abolition of social evils such as sati (the burning of widows). These movements provided the intellectual and social foundation upon which political organizations like the INC would build.
Economically, India was suffering under the weight of British colonial exploitation. The British had transformed India into a supplier of raw materials for British industries, and Indian industries were systematically destroyed to make way for British goods. This resulted in widespread poverty and economic stagnation in India. The Indian masses, particularly the rural population, were becoming increasingly disillusioned with British rule, although the political consciousness of the common people was still in its early stages.
The Role of the British in Shaping Indian Nationalism
The British policy of divide and rule played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of India during the late 19th century. British rule in India was characterized by attempts to maintain control over the diverse and vast subcontinent through administrative divisions, suppression of dissent, and co-optation of local elites. The British believed that India was a patchwork of different cultures, religions, and languages, and they sought to exploit these divisions to prevent a united nationalist movement.
However, British attempts to maintain their dominance inadvertently sowed the seeds of nationalism. The very divisiveness they promoted highlighted the need for a unified political movement that could address the common grievances of the Indian people. It was against this backdrop of growing dissatisfaction with British rule that the Indian National Congress (INC) was founded.
The Founding of the Indian National Congress (1885)
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, a British civil servant, along with other prominent Indian leaders such as Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, and Pherozeshah Mehta. Hume, who had retired from the British Indian Civil Services, believed that the creation of a political platform for Indians would help prevent unrest and allow the British to maintain control in a more stable manner. However, Hume was also sympathetic to Indian aspirations and believed that the British could no longer ignore the political needs of the Indian people. The initial purpose of the INC was to serve as a platform for expressing Indian concerns within the framework of the British Empire, not to seek independence, but to push for reforms and represent the interests of Indians within the colonial administration.
The first meeting of the Indian National Congress took place in Bombay (now Mumbai) in December 1885, with 72 delegates in attendance. The Congress’s initial goals were modest. It sought to bring together Indian elites to present petitions and grievances to the British government, hoping for gradual reforms, greater Indian representation in government, and better treatment of Indians in the colonial bureaucracy. In its early years, the INC was primarily an organization of educated, elite Indians, and it was heavily influenced by British liberal thought.
Early Years of the Indian National Congress
In its early years, the INC did not advocate for complete independence. Instead, its leaders sought reforms within the existing political structure. One of the major demands of the INC during the first few decades was the inclusion of more Indians in the civil services. The British had long excluded Indians from top administrative positions, and the INC sought greater Indian representation in the government.
The INC's early leadership consisted of moderate nationalists who believed that dialogue with the British government and working within the colonial system could lead to reforms. The moderates of the INC, such as Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta, advocated for gradual reforms, including the improvement of the educational system, the expansion of Indian representation in the legislative councils, and the promotion of Indian economic interests. Their approach was peaceful and focused on persuading the British government to address Indian grievances without resorting to violence or rebellion.
In addition to these moderate demands, the Congress was also concerned with social issues, such as the abolition of social evils like child marriage, untouchability, and sati. Leaders like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who had played a pivotal role in social reform before the INC's founding, were influential in shaping the Congress’s early social agenda.
The Shift Towards More Radical Demands
Over the years, as the Congress grew in stature, its demands became more radical. By the early 20th century, the INC was beginning to call for greater political rights for Indians, including self-rule or Swaraj. This shift was driven by several factors, including the growing frustration with the slow pace of reform, the British resistance to granting meaningful political rights to Indians, and the increasing awareness among Indian nationalists of the need for a more active and assertive political movement.
The shift from moderate to more radical nationalism within the INC was influenced by the rise of younger leaders, such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Tilak, who became one of the most prominent leaders of the Congress, advocated for a more aggressive form of nationalism that sought self-rule for India. Tilak’s approach was in contrast to the moderate leaders of the Congress, who believed in gradual reform and cooperation with the British. Tilak’s slogan, "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it," became one of the rallying cries of the Indian nationalist movement.
By the early 20th century, the INC had become a platform for more diverse political views, ranging from moderates who sought reform within the British system to radicals who demanded full self-rule for India. This shift in ideology culminated in the partition of Bengal in 1905, a controversial move by the British to divide the province along religious lines. The partition of Bengal galvanized Indian nationalists, leading to protests and a growing sense of unity among Indians of different communities.
The INC’s Role in the Independence Movement
The Indian National Congress continued to evolve over the next few decades. Its leaders became increasingly outspoken in their demands for independence, especially after World War I, when the British government had promised political reforms but failed to deliver meaningful change. The Congress’s demands grew more vocal, and under the leadership of figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose, the INC became the principal organization advocating for India’s independence.
The INC’s role in the independence movement culminated in the Quit India Movement of 1942, which called for the immediate withdrawal of British rule from India. The movement was met with brutal repression, but it succeeded in galvanizing Indian support for the cause of independence.
Conclusion
The founding of the Indian National Congress in 1885 marked the beginning of a new era in Indian politics. Initially formed as a platform for moderate political demands within the framework of the British Empire, the INC evolved into the primary force for India’s struggle for independence. The Congress’s growth and transformation from a group of elite reformists to a mass movement for self-rule were pivotal in the eventual achievement of Indian independence in 1947. The INC’s journey from its founding to independence was marked by the contributions of countless individuals, from moderates to radicals, who all played a role in shaping the future of India. The legacy of the Indian National Congress, as both a political party and a vehicle for national liberation, continues to shape the political landscape of India to this day.
