About the Rise of Indian Nationalism and the Formation of the Congress
The second half of the nineteenth century saw the growth of Indian nationalism, a feeling among Indians that they belonged to one nation and should have a greater share in governing their own country. British political unity, administrative centralisation and economic exploitation unintentionally helped this feeling. The culmination of this process was the founding of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885, which became the main organisation of the freedom movement.
Factors Behind the Rise of Nationalism
Several factors helped the growth of nationalism. Political unification under a single administration and a single legal system gave Indians a sense of unity. Economic exploitation through heavy land revenue, de-industrialisation and the drain of wealth created common grievances. The spread of Western education produced an English-educated middle class that understood modern ideas of liberty and nationality. A vigorous press in English and the vernacular carried nationalist ideas to the people. The socio-religious reform movements and the rediscovery of India’s past created pride, while racial discrimination against Indians in services and the famous Ilbert Bill controversy (1883) exposed the attitude of the rulers.
Pre-Congress Political Associations
Before the Congress, many associations prepared the ground. The Landholders’ Society (1838) and the British Indian Association (1851) were early bodies in Bengal. The Madras Native Association (1852) and the Bombay Association (1852) represented South and West India. Dadabhai Naoroji founded the East India Association in London in 1866. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was founded in 1867 and was associated with M. G. Ranade. The Indian Association was founded in 1876 by Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose. The Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884) and the Bombay Presidency Association (1885) were the immediate forerunners of the Congress.
The Foundation of the Indian National Congress (1885)
The Indian National Congress was founded on 28 December 1885 at the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Bombay. It had 72 delegates. Its first president was W. C. Bonnerjee (Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee). The moving spirit behind it was A. O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, who is often called the father of the Indian National Congress. The name “Indian National Congress” was suggested by Dadabhai Naoroji. The second session was held at Calcutta in 1886 with Dadabhai Naoroji as president.
The Moderate Phase (1885–1905)
In its early phase the Congress was led by the Moderates, whose methods were constitutional: prayer, petition, protest and reasoned argument. Their main demands were the Indianisation of the services, reduction of military expenditure, greater Indian representation in the councils, freedom of the press and the right to hold Indian Civil Service examinations in India. Prominent Moderates were Dadabhai Naoroji (the Grand Old Man of India), W. C. Bonnerjee, Surendranath Banerjee, M. G. Ranade, Pherozeshah Mehta, G. K. Gokhale and R. C. Dutt. Their economic critique, especially the drain theory, exposed the harmful nature of British rule.
The Extremist Phase and After
By 1905 a new group of Extremists demanded Swaraj and used the methods of boycott, swadeshi and passive resistance. They were Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal, known together as Lal-Bal-Pal. The partition of Bengal (1905) gave a great push to the movement. In 1906 at the Calcutta session, under Dadabhai Naoroji, the Congress demanded Swaraj. In 1907 the Congress split at Surat into Moderates and Extremists, and was reunited at Lucknow in 1916, where the Lucknow Pact was made with the Muslim League.
Timeline of Nationalism and the INC
- 1866: East India Association founded by Dadabhai Naoroji in London.
- 1867: Poona Sarvajanik Sabha founded.
- 1876: Indian Association founded by Surendranath Banerjee.
- 1883: Ilbert Bill controversy.
- 1885: Indian National Congress founded at Bombay (28 December).
- 1886: Second session at Calcutta; Dadabhai Naoroji president.
- 1905: Partition of Bengal.
- 1906: Congress demands Swaraj at Calcutta.
- 1907: Split at Surat.
- 1916: Lucknow session; reunion and Lucknow Pact.
Main Facts about the Formation of the INC (Quick Revision Bullets)
- Founded: 28 December 1885, Bombay.
- Venue: Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College.
- Delegates at first session: 72.
- First president: W. C. Bonnerjee.
- Founder/organiser: A. O. Hume.
- Name suggested by: Dadabhai Naoroji.
- Grand Old Man of India: Dadabhai Naoroji.
- Extremist trio: Lal-Bal-Pal.
- Swaraj demanded: 1906, Calcutta session.
- Split and reunion: Surat (1907) and Lucknow (1916).
Important Persons and Terms
- A. O. Hume: key founder-organiser of the Congress.
- W. C. Bonnerjee: first president of the Congress.
- Dadabhai Naoroji: Grand Old Man of India; drain theory.
- Surendranath Banerjee: founded the Indian Association.
- G. K. Gokhale: leading Moderate; political mentor of Gandhi.
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Lokmanya; leading Extremist.
- Swaraj: self-rule, the main demand of the nationalists.
- Moderates: early Congress leaders who used constitutional methods.
- Extremists: leaders who demanded Swaraj and used boycott and swadeshi.
Why This Topic Matters for Exams
Common questions: When was the INC founded? (1885.) Who founded it? (A. O. Hume.) Who was its first president? (W. C. Bonnerjee.) Who suggested the name? (Dadabhai Naoroji.) Who were Lal-Bal-Pal? (Tilak, Lajpat Rai and Pal.) When did the Surat split take place? (1907.) A common trap is to confuse the founder (Hume) with the first president (Bonnerjee) and the person who suggested the name (Naoroji).
How to Prepare This Topic
- Learn the causes of nationalism. Political, economic, educational, press and reform factors.
- Learn the pre-Congress associations. Their founders and years.
- Learn the first session. Year, venue, delegates, president and organiser.
- Learn the phases. Moderates, Extremists, Surat split and Lucknow reunion.
- Remember the leaders. Match each leader with his or her role and contribution.
Common Exam Traps
- The INC was founded by A. O. Hume, but its first president was W. C. Bonnerjee.
- The name “Indian National Congress” was suggested by Dadabhai Naoroji.
- Moderates used petitions; Extremists used boycott and swadeshi.
- The split was at Surat (1907), and the reunion at Lucknow (1916).
- Swaraj was first demanded at the Calcutta session of 1906.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was the Indian National Congress founded?
The Indian National Congress was founded on 28 December 1885 at the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay. It had 72 delegates and its first president was W. C. Bonnerjee. The main organiser was A. O. Hume.
Who founded the Indian National Congress and who suggested its name?
A. O. Hume, a retired British civil servant, was the key founder-organiser of the Congress and is called its father. The name “Indian National Congress” was suggested by Dadabhai Naoroji, who is known as the Grand Old Man of India.
What were the main demands of the Moderates?
The Moderates demanded the Indianisation of the services, reduction of military expenditure, greater Indian representation in the legislative councils, freedom of the press and the holding of Indian Civil Service examinations in India. They used constitutional methods such as prayer, petition and protest.
Who were the Extremists and what did they want?
The Extremists were Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal, together called Lal-Bal-Pal. They demanded Swaraj (self-rule) and used the methods of boycott, swadeshi and passive resistance. The partition of Bengal in 1905 gave a great push to their movement.
What happened at the Surat session of 1907?
At the Surat session of 1907 the Congress split into two groups, the Moderates and the Extremists, over differences in goals and methods. The two groups were reunited at the Lucknow session of 1916, where the Lucknow Pact was concluded with the Muslim League.
Name some pre-Congress political associations.
Important pre-Congress associations were the Landholders’ Society (1838), British Indian Association (1851), Madras Native Association (1852), Bombay Association (1852), East India Association (1866), Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1867), Indian Association (1876), Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884) and Bombay Presidency Association (1885).