FOUNDATION OF INC

Establishment of Indian National Congress (INC):

The INC was established in 1885, by A.O. Hume, a retired civil servant who was staying in Shimla
post-retirement.

He invited many Indian leaders regarding the Indian cause, and he laid the foundation of the ‘Indian
National Union’.

But, after the suggestion of Dadabhai Naoroji, its name was changed to ‘Indian National Congress.’
The word ‘Congress’ was taken from the American Constitution.

Reason for the establishment of INC

There are two broad theories behind this

a) Mythical Theory

This suggested that it was the humanistic approach of A.O. Hume that was cited as one of the factors
that led to the establishment of the INC

he wanted to establish a political platform for Indians that could serve as the ‘voice for Indians

b) Realistic Theory:
The extremist elements in India like Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, etc. laid
down the theory known as ‘Safety- valve’ theory.

Lala Lajpat Rai wrote two books, ‘Unhappy India’, and ‘Punjabi’. In these two books, he explained
and criticized the policy of the British regarding the establishment of the INC.

According to him, it was a conspiracy of Lord Dufferin, and A.O. Hume, that lead to the
establishment of the INC. In the second half of the 19th Century with the growing tide of
nationalism, the aggression of Indians kept on increasing against the British policies, thus the British
think-tanks derived a concept by which it was said that in between the British Government in India
and the Indian public, there would be a buffer organization known as the Indian National Congress
(INC).

Moderate Phase Of The Indian National Congress (1885 – 1905).

The Moderate phase of the Indian national movement was from 1885 to 1905.

During the initial period, leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, W.C.Bonnerjee, D.E.Wacha were dominating
the Indian National Congress. These leaders believed in the ideology of liberalism and Moderate
politics and thus they were known as Moderates.

The Moderates believed in the British sense of fairplay, justice and integrity

Prominent moderate leaders

Dadabhai Naoroji

Known as the ‘Grand old man of India.’

He became the first Indian to become a member of the House of Commons in Britain.
Authored ‘Poverty and Un-British Rule in India’ which focused on the economic drain of India
because of British policies. This led to an enquiry on the matter.

Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee

The first president of the INC.

Lawyer by profession. First Indian to act as Standing Counsel.

G Subramania Aiyer

Founded ‘The Hindu’ newspaper where he criticised British imperialism.

Also founded Tamil newspaper ‘Swadesamitran’.

Co-founded the Madras Mahajana Sabha.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Regarded as Mahatma Gandhi’s political guru.

Founded the Servants of India Society.

Sir Surendranath Banerjee

Also called ‘Rashtraguru’ and ‘Indian Burke’.

Founded the Indian National Association which later merged with the INC.

Cleared the Indian Civil Service but was discharged due to racial discrimination.

Founded newspaper ‘The Bengalee

Aims and demands of the moderates

1.Education of the masses and organising public opinion, make people aware of their rights.

2.Indian representation in the Executive Council and in the Indian Council in London.

3.Reform of the legislative councils.

4.Separation of the executive from the judiciary.

5.Decreased land revenue tax and ending peasant oppression.

6.After 1892, raised the slogan, “No taxation without representation.”

7.Reduced spending on the army.

8.Abolishing salt tax and duty on sugar.

9.Holding the ICS exam in India along with England to allow more Indians the opportunity to take
part in the administration.

10.Freedom of speech and expression.

11.Freedom to form associations.

12.Development of modern capitalist industries in India.

13.End of economic drain of India by the British.

14.Repealing the Arms Act of 1878.

15.Increasing spending on education of Indians.

The Moderate achievements

They created a wide national awakening and also the feeling of belonging to one nation

Passing of the Indian councils act of 1892

They exposed the exploitative nature of the British to the masses

Appointment of public service commission in 1886

They popularized the idea of liberalism,democracy, secularism and nationalism and trained the
people on those lines

Welby commission on Indian expenditure was formed on 1895

A resolution was passed in house of Commons for conducting simultaneous examination in India and
England.

Indian Councils Act, 1892

Main Provisions

•Number of additional members in Imperial Legislative Councils and the Provincial Legislative
Councils was raised. In Imperial Legislative Council, now the governor general could have 10 to 16
non-officials (instead of six to ten previously).

•The non-official members of the Indian legislative council were to be nominated by the Bengal
Chamber of Commerce and provincial legislative councils. The members could be recommended by
universities, municipalities, zamindars, and chambers of commerce. So, the principle of
representation was introduced.

•Budget could be discussed. Questions could be asked.

Limitations

•The officials retained their majority in the council, thus making ineffective the non-official voice.

•The 'reformed Imperial Legislative Council met, during its tenure till 1909, on an average for only 13
days in a year, and the number of unofficial Indian members present was only five out of twenty-
four.

•The budget could not be voted upon, nor could any amendments be made to it.

• Supplementaries could not be asked, nor could answers to any question be discussed.

Limitations of the moderates

1.This phase of the national movement excluded the masses and only the educated elites
participated in it.

2.They did not demand complete independence from foreign rule.

3.They did not understand the power of a mass movement of people, unlike Gandhi who used this
power.
4.Drew most of their ideas from western political thinking which further alienated them from the
people.