Pre-Congress Political Associations and the Rise of Indian Nationalism

Early Political Associations (Early 19th Century)
• Early associations were dominated by wealthy and aristocratic Indians.
• Mostly local and regional in character.
• They submitted long petitions to the British Parliament demanding:
  – Administrative reforms
  – Association of Indians in administration
  – Spread of education

Political Associations Before the Indian National Congress (INC)

Bengal
1. Bangabhasha Prakashika Sabha (1836)
• Formed by associates of Raja Rammohan Roy.
• Focused on political and social issues of Bengal.

2. Zamindari Association / Landholders’ Society (1838)
• Founded by Dwarkanath Tagore.
• First organised political body using constitutional agitation.
• Aimed to safeguard landlord interests.

3. Bengal British India Society (1843)
• Founded by George Thompson.
• Objective: Collect and spread information on the real condition of Indians.

4. British Indian Association (1851)
• Merger of Landholders’ Society and Bengal British India Society.
• Petitioned British Parliament demanding:
  – Separate legislature of popular character
  – Separation of executive and judiciary
  – Reduction of salaries of higher officials
  – Abolition of salt duty, abkari, stamp duties

5. East India Association (1866)
• Organised in London by Dadabhai Naoroji.
• Created to influence British public opinion on Indian welfare.

6. Indian League (1875)
• Started by Sisir Kumar Ghosh.
• Aim: Stimulate nationalism and political education.

7. Indian Association (1876)
• Founded by Surendranath Banerjea and Ananda Mohan Bose.
• Most important pre-Congress organisation.
• Aimed to:
  – Build strong public opinion on political issues
  – Unite Indians on a common political programme

Bombay
1. Bombay Association (1852)
• Formed to petition authorities in India and England.
• Did not survive long.

2. Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1867)
• Founded by M.G. Ranade and others.
• Acted as a bridge between government and people.

3. Bombay Presidency Association (1885)
• Founded by Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozshah Mehta, K.T. Telang.

Madras
1. Madras Native Association
• A branch of British Indian Association (Calcutta).

2. Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884)
• Founded by M. Viraraghavachari, B. Subramaniya Aiyer, P. Anandacharlu.
• Coordinated activities of local associations.

Foundation of the Indian National Congress (INC)
• Founded in December 1885 by 72 political workers.
• First all-India platform for expressing national political aspirations.
• A.O. Hume played a key organisational role.
• Marked the culmination of political awakening since 1860s–70s.

The Safety Valve Theory
• Claims INC was founded as a “safety valve” to prevent violent revolution.
• Lala Lajpat Rai believed it was meant to strengthen British rule.
• Considered a myth by many historians.

The Conspiracy Theory
• R.P. Dutt: INC created to prevent a mass uprising and led by bourgeois elites.

The Lightning Conductor Theory
• Congress used Hume as a “lightning conductor” to avoid British hostility.
• Given by Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

Nationalist Demands Before INC
• No reduction of import duties on textiles
• No expansion in Afghanistan or Burma
• Right to bear arms
• Freedom of the press
• Reduction in military expenditure
• Increased expenditure on famine relief
• Indianisation of civil services
• Indians’ right to join volunteer corps
• Indian judges’ right to try Europeans
• Appeal to British voters to choose India-friendly parties

Factors Behind Rise of Indian Nationalism
1. Rapid growth of transport and communication
2. Spread of Western education
3. Political and administrative unification of India
4. Rise of middle-class intelligentsia
5. Rediscovery of India’s past through historical research
6. Socio-religious reform movements (progressive outlook)
7. Growth of vernacular literature:
   – Bankimchandra’s Anandmath (Vande Mataram)
   – Dinabandhu Mitra’s Nil Darpan
   – Bharatendu Harishchandra’s Bharat Durdasha
8. Rise of modern press and newspapers
9. Economic exploitation and drain of wealth

Ilbert Bill Controversy (1883)
• Proposed during Viceroy Lord Ripon’s tenure.
• Allowed Indian judges to try European offenders.
• Faced severe opposition from European community.
• Modified version:
  – Indian and European magistrates given equal authority
  – Europeans could demand a jury with at least 50% European members

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Subject: Modern History

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