History & Civics
The establishment of the Indian National Congress was a significant event in the development of national movement in India. In this context:
(a) What was the name of the Indian National Congress before it got this name? Who gave it its present name? Where was it established and who was its founder?
(b) Why did Lord Dufferin favour the formation of the Indian National Congress?
(c) What was the nature of the political associations formed before the Indian National Congress was established? Name any two associations which acted as the forerunners of the Indian National Congress.
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Answer
(a) At the time of its foundation, Indian National Congress was called Indian National Union. On the suggestion of Dadabhai Naoroji the name of the Union was changed to the Indian National Congress.
In 1884, A.O. Hume, in consultation with the Indian leaders, laid the foundation of Indian National Congress at Mumbai on December 28, 1885.
(b) The Viceroy, Lord Dufferin, favoured the formation of the Indian National Congress because he wanted it to act as a 'safety-valve' for popular discontent, thereby, safeguarding the British interest in India.
(c) By the second half of the 19th century, there emerged a consciousness among the Indians that the British were exercising control over the resources of India and the lives of its people and until this control was ended, India could not be a sovereign nation. This consciousness led to the formation of a number of political associations led by English-educated professionals.
- Though many of these associations were formed in specific parts of the country, they had common goals for all the people of India.
- They did not work for any one religion, community or class.
- The first political association to be started in India was the 'Landholders' Society in Kolkata in 1838.
- Many public associations were started in different parts of India like Bengal British India Society, British Indian Association, East India Association, the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, London Indian Society and Indian Association. These associations served as a base for the formation of the Congress — an all India political organisation.
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