The Indian National Congress: Pillar of India’s Struggle for Freedom
Introduction: The Birth of Indian National Congress (INC)
The Indian National Congress (INC) holds a central place in the history of India’s struggle for independence. Founded in 1885, the INC emerged as a political platform for Indians to express their aspirations and demands for self-governance under British colonial rule. What began as a forum for discussions among the educated elite of India transformed into a powerful mass movement, leading to the eventual independence of India in 1947. The INC played a crucial role in uniting people from diverse regions, religions, and castes, rallying them for a common cause: the end of British imperialism.
The journey of the INC is marked by its evolution from a moderate body seeking constitutional reforms to a radical movement advocating for full independence. This module aims to explore the role of the Indian National Congress in the freedom struggle, examining its key phases, leaders, significant movements, and the changing dynamics of the organization.
1. Formation of the Indian National Congress (INC)
The Indian National Congress was founded on December 28, 1885, by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, with the intention of creating a platform for moderate Indian elites to voice their concerns. The first session of the INC was held in Bombay (now Mumbai), under the presidency of Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee. At this stage, the INC’s agenda was focused on constitutional reforms, the promotion of Indian education, and greater representation for Indians in the British administration.
However, the INC remained largely a voice of the educated elite and lacked mass support initially. Its early demands were moderate, seeking reforms in the British system rather than challenging British rule itself. Over the years, the INC’s role in the freedom struggle evolved significantly.
2. Early Years and the Role of Moderate Leaders
During the initial years, the Congress was dominated by moderate leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta. These leaders believed in achieving political reforms through dialogue with the British government. They advocated for Indian representation in the legislative councils and the reduction of discriminatory policies against Indians.
One of the most significant contributions of this period was Dadabhai Naoroji’s “Drain of Wealth” theory, which argued that the British were draining India’s wealth through their colonial policies, leaving the Indian masses impoverished. This argument helped create an intellectual basis for anti-colonial resistance and highlighted the economic exploitation of India.
While these leaders remained loyal to the British crown, their calls for reform laid the foundation for the later, more radical phase of the Congress.
3. Shift Towards Radicalism: The Rise of Extremists
By the early 20th century, a new wave of nationalist leaders began to emerge within the Indian National Congress. They were more radical and were frustrated by the slow pace of reforms under the British. Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai came to the forefront during the 1905 Bengal Partition. They demanded more immediate and direct action to secure self-rule for India.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who famously coined the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright,” was at the helm of the extremist faction. Tilak believed that mass agitation, including strikes, protests, and boycotts, was necessary to force the British to concede to Indian demands. The moderates, however, clashed with the extremists over the methods to achieve their goals.
Despite the differences, the Congress remained united in its overarching goal of gaining independence from British rule.
4. The Impact of World War I: INC and the Home Rule Movement
World War I (1914–1918) significantly changed the political landscape of India. The British colonial rulers had recruited thousands of Indians into the British Army, and many believed that the Indian contribution to the war effort would lead to political concessions. In response, the Home Rule Movement, led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant, gained momentum, demanding self-governance for India within the British Empire.
The Congress, under the leadership of these leaders, began to demand greater political autonomy for Indians. In 1916, the Lucknow Pact between the Congress and the All-India Muslim League marked an important step towards unity among Indian political forces. Both the Congress and the Muslim League agreed to work together for political reforms, calling for greater representation for Indians in legislative bodies.
The British response to these demands, however, was the repressive Rowlatt Act of 1919, which sparked widespread protests across the country.
5. The Role of Mahatma Gandhi: Non-Violence and Mass Mobilization
Mahatma Gandhi’s arrival on the Indian political scene marked a turning point in the Indian freedom struggle. A pioneer of non-violent resistance (Satyagraha), Gandhi transformed the Indian National Congress into a mass movement. His first major campaign was the Champaran Satyagraha (1917), aimed at addressing the exploitation of indigo farmers in Bihar.
In 1919, Gandhi led the Non-Cooperation Movement in response to the Rowlatt Act, which allowed the British to arrest Indians without trial. The Non-Cooperation Movement called for Indians to boycott British goods, schools, courts, and government services. Millions of Indians responded to Gandhi’s call, and the movement became a turning point in the INC’s involvement in the independence struggle.
Gandhi’s emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) and civil disobedience made the freedom movement more accessible to people from all walks of life, including peasants, workers, and women.
6. Civil Disobedience Movement and Salt March
The Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930 was another milestone in the INC’s role in the freedom struggle. The movement was launched by Gandhi to defy the British monopoly on salt production and distribution. Gandhi’s Salt March, which involved a 240-mile march to the coastal town of Dandi to make salt, captured the imagination of millions and became a symbol of Indian resistance to British rule.
The Salt March was not just about salt—it was a direct challenge to British authority and its oppressive policies. The Civil Disobedience Movement saw widespread participation, and the INC emerged as the leading force in organizing protests, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience across the country.
7. Quit India Movement: The Final Push for Independence
The Quit India Movement of 1942 was the INC’s most decisive call for independence. With World War II in full swing, the British were struggling to maintain control over their empire. The Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, launched the Quit India Movement, demanding an immediate end to British rule.
This movement was a mass uprising, marked by widespread protests, strikes, and acts of defiance. Despite being met with violent repression and mass arrests of Congress leaders, the movement signaled the final push towards independence. Although the British did not immediately grant independence, the Quit India Movement showed the world that India was united in its demand for freedom.
8. The Role of INC in Building a United Nationalist Sentiment
The INC’s greatest achievement was its ability to unite a diverse and fragmented Indian society under the banner of nationalism. The Congress brought together people from different linguistic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, creating a sense of national unity. It was able to forge alliances with various social groups, including Muslims, Sikhs, and Dalits, despite the tensions that existed between these communities.
The INC’s ability to transform the freedom struggle into a mass movement was rooted in its appeal to the Indian masses, particularly peasants and workers. Through its campaigns, the INC helped to break the barriers of caste and region, turning the fight for independence into a collective struggle for the future of India.
9. Partition and the Role of INC in Post-Independence India
The partition of India in 1947, which resulted in the creation of Pakistan, was a tragic consequence of the INC’s struggle for independence. The partition led to widespread violence, mass displacement, and the loss of countless lives. However, it also marked the end of British rule over India.
The Indian National Congress, despite the divisions caused by partition, played a crucial role in post-independence India. As the principal political party in independent India, the INC took on the responsibility of nation-building. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, was a member of the Congress and became the face of India’s new democratic government.
10. Conclusion: Legacy of the Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle is monumental. From its early days as a forum for constitutional reforms to its transformation into a mass movement led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, the INC played a pivotal role in securing India’s independence. The INC’s ability to unite people from all walks of life and its adoption of non-violent resistance methods became a beacon for global anti-colonial movements.
While the post-independence period witnessed the Congress’s dominance in Indian politics, its role in shaping modern India’s political landscape cannot be overstated. The Indian National Congress remains a symbol of India’s long, arduous, and triumphant struggle for freedom.
Key Takeaways:
- The Indian National Congress (INC) was the central organization in India’s fight for independence, evolving from moderate reformism to radical anti-colonial resistance.
- Under leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Congress fought for constitutional reforms before turning to mass mobilization under Mahatma Gandhi.
- The INC’s pivotal movements such as Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India were critical in India’s journey to independence.
