{"id":13928,"date":"2025-07-05T08:05:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-05T08:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/?p=13928"},"modified":"2025-07-07T12:34:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T12:34:14","slug":"foundation-of-indian-national-congress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/","title":{"rendered":"Foundation of Indian National Congress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>The<strong> Indian National Congress (INC)<\/strong> was established in 1885 as a national political organisation to unite Indians in their struggle against British colonial rule. It became a crucial platform for promoting political awareness and laying the foundation for India\u2019s independence movement. This article aims to study in detail the foundation, objectives, and early developments of the Indian National Congress, along with the controversies surrounding its formation.<\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_56_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Foundation_of_Indian_National_Congress_INC\" title=\"Foundation of Indian National Congress (INC)\">Foundation of Indian National Congress (INC)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Objectives_of_Indian_National_Congress_INC\" title=\"Objectives of Indian National Congress (INC)\">Objectives of Indian National Congress (INC)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Programme_of_Early_Congress\" title=\"Programme of Early Congress\">Programme of Early Congress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Social_Composition_of_Early_Congress_Leadership\" title=\"Social Composition of Early Congress Leadership\">Social Composition of Early Congress Leadership<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Safety-Valve_Theory\" title=\"Safety-Valve Theory\">Safety-Valve Theory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Who_was_the_first_president_of_Indian_National_Congress\" title=\"Who was the first president of Indian National Congress?\">Who was the first president of Indian National Congress?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Who_founded_Indian_National_Congress\" title=\"Who founded Indian National Congress?\">Who founded Indian National Congress?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#When_was_Indian_National_Congress_formed\" title=\"When was Indian National Congress formed?\">When was Indian National Congress formed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/foundation-of-indian-national-congress\/#Who_is_the_first_woman_president_of_Indian_National_Congress\" title=\"Who is the first woman president of Indian National Congress?\">Who is the first woman president of Indian National Congress?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-89421fb605dd6ab973e4db373f510db9\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Foundation_of_Indian_National_Congress_INC\"><\/span><strong>Foundation of Indian National Congress (INC)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The formation of a national organisation had been anticipated for some time, but a mediator was needed to unify regional leaders under one umbrella.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A.O. Hume, a retired British civil servant with a supra-regional identity and liberal political views, played this critical role.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Touring the subcontinent, he convinced prominent leaders to convene at a national conference, initially planned in Poona but later moved to Bombay due to a cholera outbreak.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thus, in December 1885, at a convention of 72 delegates, the Indian National Congress (INC) was established as a national political forum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, the formation of this all-India organisation stirred controversies, including the Safety-valve Theory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The first president of the Indian National Congress was <strong>Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.<\/strong> He presided over the inaugural session of the Congress held in <strong>Bombay (now Mumbai) in December 1885.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3db6f251c5b49322e6493f2c457831be\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Objectives_of_Indian_National_Congress_INC\"><\/span><strong>Objectives of Indian National Congress (INC)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nation Building and Unity:<\/strong> Congress aimed to cultivate a sense of collective identity among Indians, bridging cultural, linguistic, and religious divides. This objective was essential for creating a unified front against British colonial rule.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promoting National Unity Across Regions:<\/strong> Congress held annual sessions in various cities, ensuring diverse regional participation. This approach encouraged Indians from different areas to collaborate, fostering mutual respect and solidarity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creating a Political Forum for United Action:<\/strong> Congress provided a platform where Indians could voice their grievances and discuss solutions. By uniting politically aware individuals from across India, Congress strengthened collective action against colonial policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Raising Political Awareness Among Indians:<\/strong> Congress aimed to educate Indians about their rights and political issues through speeches, petitions, and public meetings. This awareness empowered people to advocate for themselves and prepared them for self-governance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Developing All-India Leadership:<\/strong> Congress sought to create a representative leadership that could speak for all Indians. This body of leaders became essential in guiding the nationalist movement and negotiating with the British.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Securing Political Reforms and Addressing Grievances:<\/strong> Initially, Congress focused on obtaining reforms within British rules, like fairer taxes and better representation. These efforts aimed to improve conditions and set the stage for greater autonomy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-88d78e24724a7b81884cb207dd6fda06\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Programme_of_Early_Congress\"><\/span><strong>Programme of Early Congress<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Congress was not merely a political party but a movement for Indian public life. Early Congress set out with the following program:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to W.C. Bonnerji, Congress was a platform for \u201cloyalists and well-wishers\u201d of the British Government.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Congress sessions were to be conducted democratically, with issues decided by debate, discussion, and occasionally voting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual sessions were to be held nationwide, with presidents chosen from different regions to encourage unity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Resolution Approval: No resolution would pass if opposed by an overwhelming majority of either Hindu or Muslim delegates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The minority clause (1889) ensured proportional representation for minorities in legislative councils.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Congress sent petitions to address aspects of \u201cun-British rule.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8c57bd2bfff3a7060fc6cda1caf010d5\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Social_Composition_of_Early_Congress_Leadership\"><\/span><strong>Social Composition of Early Congress Leadership<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first Congress meeting, held in Bombay in 1885, featured 72 representatives from diverse professions, including lawyers, merchants, landowners, and educators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, Congress was primarily dominated by high-caste Hindu communities such as the Bhadralok in Bengal, Chitpavan Brahmins in Bombay, and Tamil Brahmins in Madras.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Muslim representation remained limited; between 1892 and 1909, only 6.5% of Congress delegates were Muslims.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Women&#8217;s participation was also low, though Kadambini Ganguli became the first woman to address a Congress session in 1890.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dfdf900605a0c5e903e2d911210631de\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Safety-Valve_Theory\"><\/span><strong>Safety-Valve Theory<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A.O. Hume\u2019s pivotal role has led to significant debate about the INC&#8217;s origins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to the Safety-valve Theory, British rule supposedly established Congress as a channel for Indian discontent to prevent revolutionary outbreaks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>First noted in William Wedderburn\u2019s 1913 biography of Hume, the Safety-valve Theory suggests that Hume and Lord Dufferin wanted to avoid unrest among lower classes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Historians like Bipin Chandra, however, argue that early Congress leaders viewed Hume as a \u201clightning conductor\u201d to unify nationalist forces, even if under the guise of this \u201csafety valve.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d0adc4bd9eb2e9b9b187dc32f0e06642\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The formation of the Indian National Congress marked the formal beginning of organised nationalistic activity in India, fostering a sense of unity and political consciousness among Indians. Initially focused on moderate demands within the framework of British rule, the INC\u2019s early activities shaped public awareness and helped develop a national leadership that could later intensify the freedom struggle. Despite criticisms, including the Safety-valve Theory, Congress played a vital role in mobilising Indian society and paving the way for independence. By uniting people across regional, cultural, and religious lines, the INC sowed the seeds of a national identity that would eventually culminate in India\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-618812723183593a2c916a1fd5800128\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1732348318971\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_was_the_first_president_of_Indian_National_Congress\"><\/span><strong>Who was the first president of Indian National Congress?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The first president of the Indian National Congress was <strong>Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1732348335756\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_founded_Indian_National_Congress\"><\/span><strong>Who founded Indian National Congress?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Indian National Congress was founded by <strong>Allan Octavian Hume<\/strong> in <strong>1885<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1732348345899\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_was_Indian_National_Congress_formed\"><\/span><strong>When was Indian National Congress formed?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Indian National Congress was formed on <strong>28th December 1885.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1732348355219\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_is_the_first_woman_president_of_Indian_National_Congress\"><\/span><strong>Who is the first woman president of Indian National Congress?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The first woman president of the Indian National Congress was <strong>Annie Besant,<\/strong> who presided over the session in <strong>1917<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Indian National Congress (INC) was established in 1885 as a national political organisation to unite Indians in their struggle against British colonial rule.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":13931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[818,839],"tags":[73],"class_list":["post-13928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history","category-modern-india","tag-gs-1"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13928"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13928\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18863,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13928\/revisions\/18863"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}