Formation of the Indian National Congress — UPSC Modern History Notes Ch. 13

Introduction

The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, became India's first pan-Indian political organisation and eventually the primary vehicle of the freedom struggle. Its origins are subject to two competing historical theories.

Founding

Founded by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, with the support of the then Viceroy Lord Dufferin.
First session: Held in December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay, presided over by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, with 72 delegates attending.
Original venue was to be Poona, but shifted to Bombay due to a cholera outbreak.

Theories on the Origin of the INC

Theory	Proponent(s)	Core Argument
"Safety Valve" Theory	Associated with the idea that Hume, with British encouragement, created the INC as a controlled outlet ("safety valve") to channel growing Indian discontent (post-1857 memory, Ilbert Bill anger) into constitutional, moderate demands rather than revolutionary upheaval	Sees the INC's founding as a pre-emptive British strategy
Nationalist/Organic Theory	Many Indian nationalist historians	Argues the INC was the natural culmination of decades of political associational activity (Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, Indian Association, etc.) and genuine national awakening, with Hume playing a facilitating, not originating, role

💡 Balanced View: Most historians today treat the "Safety Valve" theory as only part of the picture — the INC's emergence was overdetermined by genuine socio-political developments (Chapter 12), even if some British officials initially hoped it would remain a moderate, loyalist body.

Early Objectives of the INC (First 20 Years)

Promote friendly relations between Indian political workers from different regions.
Develop and consolidate feelings of national unity, irrespective of caste, religion, or province.
Formulate and present popular demands to the Government.
Train and organise public opinion in the country.

These early goals reflect the INC's initial character as a moderate, loyalist body seeking gradual constitutional reform rather than immediate self-rule — a phase covered in the next chapter.

✅ UPSC Focus: First session details — year, venue, president, delegate count · Safety Valve theory vs the organic-growth counter-argument · Original early objectives of the INC.

← Back to Rise of Nationalism Next Chapter → Moderate Phase of Indian National Movement

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