The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885. It became the primary political party that led India’s freedom struggle against British rule. It played a crucial role in shaping modern Indian history.
1. Formation of INC
✔ Founded by: Allan Octavian Hume (A.O. Hume), a retired British civil servant.
✔ First Session: Bombay (Mumbai), December 28-31, 1885.
✔ First President: W.C. Bonnerjee (Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee).
✔ Attendance: 72 delegates participated in the first session.
2. Objectives of INC (at the time of formation)
✔ To create political awareness among Indians.
✔ To promote national unity and cooperation between Indians and the British government.
✔ To work for civil rights and administrative reforms.
✔ To provide a platform for educated Indians to express their demands.
3. Phases of INC
The INC evolved through different phases during India’s independence struggle:
A. Moderate Phase (1885-1905)
✔ Leaders: Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, W.C. Bonnerjee, Surendranath Banerjee.
✔ Methods: Petitions, meetings, constitutional reforms, and appeals to the British.
✔ Demands: More representation of Indians in administration, reduction of military expenditure, freedom of speech, and press rights.
✔ Key Developments:
- Dadabhai Naoroji presented the Drain of Wealth theory.
- First official demand for Swaraj (Self-Government) was made by Dadabhai Naoroji in 1906.
B. Extremist Phase (1905-1919)
✔ Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal-Bal-Pal), Aurobindo Ghosh.
✔ Methods: Swadeshi Movement, Boycott of British Goods, Passive Resistance, and Revolutionary Activities.
✔ Key Events:
- Partition of Bengal (1905) led to a rise in nationalist sentiments.
- Surat Split (1907) – Moderates and Extremists split due to ideological differences.
- Lucknow Pact (1916) – Agreement between INC and Muslim League for constitutional reforms.
- Home Rule Movement (1916-17) led by Tilak and Annie Besant.
C. Gandhian Phase (1919-1947)
✔ Leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Subhash Chandra Bose, Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad.
✔ Methods: Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India Movement.
✔ Key Movements:
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) – Boycott of British goods, institutions, and courts.
- Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) – Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha).
- Quit India Movement (1942) – Demand for immediate independence.
- Cripps Mission (1942) and Cabinet Mission (1946).
4. Important Sessions of INC
| Year | Session Location | President | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 | Bombay | W.C. Bonnerjee | First Session |
| 1907 | Surat | Rash Behari Ghosh | Surat Split (Moderates vs. Extremists) |
| 1916 | Lucknow | Ambika Charan Mazumdar | Lucknow Pact (INC + Muslim League) |
| 1920 | Nagpur | C.R. Das | Adoption of Non-Cooperation Movement |
| 1929 | Lahore | Jawaharlal Nehru | Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) Declaration |
| 1931 | Karachi | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | Resolution on Fundamental Rights & Economic Policy |
| 1939 | Tripuri | Subhash Chandra Bose | Resigned after conflict with Gandhi’s supporters |
| 1942 | Bombay | Abul Kalam Azad | Quit India Movement Resolution |
| 1946 | Meerut | J.B. Kripalani | Last session before independence |
5. Role of INC in Independence Struggle
✔ Led mass movements like Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India.
✔ Negotiated with the British during Cripps Mission and Cabinet Mission.
✔ Formed the Interim Government (1946) under Jawaharlal Nehru.
✔ Played a crucial role in framing the Indian Constitution after independence.
6. MCQs on Indian National Congress
1. Who was the founder of the Indian National Congress?
- (a) Mahatma Gandhi
- (b) A.O. Hume
- (c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- (d) Dadabhai Naoroji
- Answer: (b) A.O. Hume
2. Where was the first session of INC held in 1885?
- (a) Calcutta
- (b) Bombay
- (c) Madras
- (d) Allahabad
- Answer: (b) Bombay
3. Who was the first Indian president of INC?
- (a) Dadabhai Naoroji
- (b) Badruddin Tyabji
- (c) W.C. Bonnerjee
- (d) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
- Answer: (c) W.C. Bonnerjee
4. In which session was the Purna Swaraj resolution adopted?
- (a) 1920 Nagpur Session
- (b) 1929 Lahore Session
- (c) 1931 Karachi Session
- (d) 1942 Bombay Session
- Answer: (b) 1929 Lahore Session
5. Who was the president of INC during the Quit India Movement (1942)?
- (a) Jawaharlal Nehru
- (b) Sardar Patel
- (c) Abul Kalam Azad
- (d) Subhash Chandra Bose
- Answer: (c) Abul Kalam Azad
7. Conclusion
The Indian National Congress was the driving force behind India’s independence movement. It transitioned from being a moderate organization seeking reforms to leading mass movements for complete independence. Its leaders and ideology shaped India’s freedom struggle and post-independence governance.
8. Quick Revision – Key Facts on INC
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | December 28, 1885 |
| Founder | A.O. Hume |
| First President | W.C. Bonnerjee |
| First Session | Bombay (Mumbai) |
| Moderate Leaders | Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale |
| Extremist Leaders | Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai |
| Gandhian Leaders | Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bose, Azad |
| Famous Movements | Non-Cooperation (1920), Civil Disobedience (1930), Quit India (1942) |
| Last President Before Independence | J.B. Kripalani (1946) |
This is highly important for UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs. Let me know if you need maps, mind maps, or more details! 😊