Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Briefly introduce the Indian National Congress (INC) and its formation in 1885.
• State that the first two decades of the INC’s existence (1885-1905) were marked by the moderate phase, where the focus was on constitutional reforms and engagement with British authorities.

2. Key Ideals and Agenda of the INC (1885-1905)

• Moderation and Constitutionalism: Mention that the INC believed in gradual reforms and sought to work within the British colonial system. They adopted a constitutional approach, aiming for self-governance through legal and peaceful methods.
  • Fact: Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozshah Mehta were key figures advocating for this approach.
• Political Representation: Highlight the demand for political representation and participation in governance.
  • Fact: The INC called for greater representation of Indians in legislative councils, which was a major issue during this period.
• National Unity and Nationalism: Discuss how the INC aimed to transcend regional, linguistic, and religious differences to unite Indians in the fight against British rule.
  • Fact: Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak started to emphasize Indian nationalism and self-rule (Swaraj).
• Mobilization of Public Opinion: The INC played an essential role in spreading political awareness through public meetings, petitions, and press, fostering a new political consciousness.
  • Fact: The INC held annual sessions where members discussed and debated key political issues.

3. Influence on the Socio-Political Landscape

• Political Awakening: Describe how the activities of the INC influenced the political landscape by creating a platform for Indians to engage in political discourse.
  • Fact: The INC provided a space for Indian leaders to voice grievances against British policies and proposed solutions.
• Role in Developing Political Culture: Mention how the INC helped instill political consciousness, laying the groundwork for future movements for independence.
  • Fact: The organization fostered political debates and encouraged the formation of regional associations.

4. Official Response to INC Developments

• Initial Engagement: Explain how the British government initially viewed the INC as a platform for moderate political engagement.
  • Fact: Early responses were relatively cooperative, with some reforms like the Indian Councils Act of 1892 that expanded Indian participation in legislative bodies.
• Constitutional Reforms: Discuss the official response to INC’s demand for reforms and the resulting legislative changes.
  • Fact: The Indian Councils Act of 1892 and the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 were direct responses to INC’s demands for political representation.
• Repression and Divide-and-Rule: As the INC gained more influence, the British adopted repressive measures and attempted to create divisions within Indian society.
  • Fact: British authorities used divide-and-rule tactics and imprisoned key leaders, including Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who was charged with sedition.
• Growing Distrust: Describe how the British authorities became increasingly distrustful of the INC as the demand for self-rule (Swaraj) grew.
  • Fact: The British government increasingly viewed the INC as a threat as it moved from moderate demands to more radical calls for self-governance.

5. Conclusion

• Summarize the role of the INC in shaping India’s socio-political landscape by fostering a sense of nationalism, political unity, and engagement.
• Briefly discuss how the official response ranged from initial cooperation to increasing repression as the INC’s agenda became more assertive.
• Conclude by stating that the early phase of the INC (1885-1905) laid the foundation for the future Indian struggle for independence.

Relevant Facts

• Dadabhai Naoroji: Known for his “Drain Theory,” he argued that British colonial policies drained India’s wealth and was a significant figure in INC’s early intellectual development.
• Gopal Krishna Gokhale: A moderate leader who promoted reforms within the British colonial structure and was an advocate for education and social reforms.
• Pherozshah Mehta: A key leader in the INC who advocated for constitutional reforms and engagement with the British government.
• Indian Councils Act of 1892: Allowed for greater Indian representation in legislative councils but was limited in scope.
• Morley-Minto Reforms (1909): Further expanded Indian participation but maintained British control over major decisions.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A more radical leader who emphasized Swaraj (self-rule) and was arrested for sedition, symbolizing the shift from moderate to more assertive demands within the INC.
• Divide-and-Rule Tactics: British attempts to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims, leading to the formation of separate electorates for Muslims in the 1909 reforms.

By following this roadmap, you will cover the key aspects of the INC’s influence on India’s socio-political landscape between 1885 and 1905 and provide an evaluation of the British response.