Indian National Congress

Definition

The Indian National Congress (INC) is a political party in India that was founded in 1885 and played a pivotal role in the country's struggle for independence from British rule. Initially, it sought greater participation of Indians in governance, but over time, it evolved into the principal organization leading the fight against colonialism, advocating for self-rule and civil rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The INC was established to provide a platform for Indian elites to discuss their grievances against British policies and seek reforms.
2. In 1906, the INC formally adopted the goal of complete independence from British rule, a shift from its earlier demand for constitutional reforms.
3. The leadership of the INC transitioned from moderate leaders seeking reform to more radical leaders advocating for immediate independence by the 1920s.
4. Under Gandhi's leadership, the INC adopted nonviolent resistance strategies, significantly increasing its popularity among the masses and transforming the independence movement.
5. The INC was instrumental in negotiating with the British government during World War II, although their demands for independence were largely ignored until post-war negotiations.

Review Questions

• How did the goals of the Indian National Congress evolve from its founding to the time of India's independence?
  • Initially, the Indian National Congress focused on seeking greater representation and reforms within the British colonial framework. However, over time, particularly after 1906, it shifted towards demanding complete independence. This evolution was driven by changing leadership within the party and growing public discontent with British rule. By the time of India's independence movement, especially under leaders like Gandhi, the INC had fully embraced a strategy centered around self-rule and mass mobilization.
• Analyze the impact of Gandhi's leadership on the Indian National Congress and its strategies for achieving independence from British rule.
  • Gandhi's leadership fundamentally transformed the Indian National Congress by introducing principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. His approach not only garnered widespread support across various social strata but also shifted the INC's strategies towards mass mobilization rather than elite negotiations. This grassroots involvement made the independence movement more inclusive and powerful, compelling the British to take Indian demands seriously as tensions escalated during critical events like the Quit India Movement.
• Evaluate how the actions and decisions made by the Indian National Congress contributed to the eventual Partition of India in 1947.
  • The actions of the Indian National Congress significantly influenced the context leading to the Partition of India. The INC's demand for immediate independence created tensions between Hindus and Muslims, particularly as it advocated for a unified India under a secular government. However, as communal tensions escalated and Muslim leaders sought separate representation through organizations like the Muslim League, compromises made by the INC during negotiations ultimately failed to address these divisions adequately. This lack of consensus led to mounting pressures that resulted in the tragic Partition, dividing British India into two nations based on religious lines.

Related terms

Mohandas Gandhi: A key leader of the Indian independence movement who promoted nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience against British rule.

Quit India Movement:

A mass protest demanding an end to British rule in India, launched by the INC in 1942, which became a significant turning point in the struggle for independence.

Partition of India: The division of British India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, in 1947, which was a consequence of the INC's push for independence.