The Formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885: Aims, Objectives, and Role in India’s Freedom Struggle

Introduction

How Was the Indian National Congress Formed?

The INC was founded on December 28, 1885, at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay (now Mumbai). The idea of forming a national political organization was conceived by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, in collaboration with prominent Indian leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Dinshaw Wacha, Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee, and Surendranath Banerjee.

The first session of the INC was attended by 72 delegates from different parts of India, with Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee serving as its first president. The British initially viewed the Congress as a "safety valve" to channel Indian discontent in a controlled manner, but it soon became the voice of India’s nationalist aspirations.

Aims and Objectives of the Indian National Congress

The early objectives of the INC were moderate and focused on reforms rather than complete independence. Some of its key aims included:

Promoting National Unity – Bringing together Indians from different regions, religions, and communities under a common political platform.

Demanding Constitutional Reforms – Seeking greater Indian representation in governance through civil services and legislative councils.

Economic Reforms – Addressing issues like poverty, famine, and unfair taxation policies imposed by the British.

Civil Rights and Freedoms – Advocating for freedom of speech, press, and equality before the law.

Opposing Racial Discrimination – Fighting against discriminatory policies that favored British officials over Indians.

Over time, the INC transformed from a moderate organization into a mass movement that led India’s struggle for independence.

1. Early Phase (1885–1905) – Moderate Leadership

Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Surendranath Banerjee believed in petitions, prayers, and peaceful protests.

Dadabhai Naoroji’s "Drain of Wealth" theory exposed British economic exploitation.

2. Radical Phase (1905–1919) – Rise of Extremism

Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai advocated for Swaraj (self-rule) and more aggressive methods.

The partition of Bengal (1905) led to mass protests and the Swadeshi Movement, promoting Indian-made goods.

3. Gandhian Era (1919–1947) – Mass Movements

Under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership, the INC adopted non-violent civil disobedience as its core strategy.

Major movements included:

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)

Civil Disobedience Movement (1930) – Dandi March against the salt tax.

Quit India Movement (1942) – Demanding complete independence.

The INC also worked towards social reforms, including the abolition of untouchability and women’s participation in the freedom struggle.

4. Final Push for Independence (1940s)

The INC, under leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Subhas Chandra Bose, intensified demands for complete independence.

Post-World War II, the British realized they could no longer hold India, leading to independence on August 15, 1947.

Conclusion

The Indian National Congress began as a moderate organization but grew into the backbone of India’s freedom struggle. It united diverse groups under a common goal, adopted evolving strategies, and ultimately played a decisive role in ending British colonial rule. Even after independence, the INC remained a major political force, shaping India’s democratic future.

The legacy of the INC is a testament to the power of unity, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.