INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 as a political organization to
provide Indians a platform to express their political aspirations under British rule. It gradually
evolved into the principal organization leading India’s struggle for independence.
The INC served as a forum to unite Indians from different regions, religions, and social
backgrounds to demand political reforms, civil rights, and ultimately, self-rule.
2. Formation of the INC
Founder: Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, along with Indian leaders like
Dadabhai Naoroji and Dinshaw Wacha.
Date: December 28, 1885
Place: Bombay (now Mumbai)
Initial Members: 72 members, mostly educated Indians, including lawyers, teachers, and
professionals.
Objective: To create a platform for political dialogue, address grievances under British rule,
and gradually work toward constitutional reforms.
The INC initially functioned as a moderate organization, advocating dialogue rather than
direct confrontation.
3. Early Objectives and Aims
Political Reforms: Demand for Indian representation in legislative councils and administrative
services.
Civil Rights: Protection of civil liberties, freedom of speech, and press.
Economic Concerns: Highlighting exploitation under British policies, including high taxation
and trade restrictions.
National Unity: Encourage Indians from different regions, religions, and communities to work
together.
The INC provided an organized platform for expressing political grievances and seeking
reforms through petitions, resolutions, and dialogues.
4. Early Leadership
Dadabhai Naoroji: Advocated economic reforms and criticized drain of wealth from India to
Britain.
Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee: First president of INC (1885), emphasized moderate political
reforms.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale: Promoted social reforms and gradual constitutional progress.
Surendranath Banerjee: Worked to expand political awareness among educated Indians.
The early leadership was moderate, constitutional, and reform-oriented, focusing on
dialogue rather than mass movements.
5. Early Sessions of the INC
The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 as a political organization to
provide Indians a platform to express their political aspirations under British rule. It gradually
evolved into the principal organization leading India’s struggle for independence.
The INC served as a forum to unite Indians from different regions, religions, and social
backgrounds to demand political reforms, civil rights, and ultimately, self-rule.
2. Formation of the INC
Founder: Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, along with Indian leaders like
Dadabhai Naoroji and Dinshaw Wacha.
Date: December 28, 1885
Place: Bombay (now Mumbai)
Initial Members: 72 members, mostly educated Indians, including lawyers, teachers, and
professionals.
Objective: To create a platform for political dialogue, address grievances under British rule,
and gradually work toward constitutional reforms.
The INC initially functioned as a moderate organization, advocating dialogue rather than
direct confrontation.
3. Early Objectives and Aims
Political Reforms: Demand for Indian representation in legislative councils and administrative
services.
Civil Rights: Protection of civil liberties, freedom of speech, and press.
Economic Concerns: Highlighting exploitation under British policies, including high taxation
and trade restrictions.
National Unity: Encourage Indians from different regions, religions, and communities to work
together.
The INC provided an organized platform for expressing political grievances and seeking
reforms through petitions, resolutions, and dialogues.
4. Early Leadership
Dadabhai Naoroji: Advocated economic reforms and criticized drain of wealth from India to
Britain.
Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee: First president of INC (1885), emphasized moderate political
reforms.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale: Promoted social reforms and gradual constitutional progress.
Surendranath Banerjee: Worked to expand political awareness among educated Indians.
The early leadership was moderate, constitutional, and reform-oriented, focusing on
dialogue rather than mass movements.
5. Early Sessions of the INC
