DR.

RAM MONOHAR LOHIYA

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

Dbbadf


1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:-

I take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude and deep re-

gards to my guide Dean (Academics),Professor C.M.Jariwala and As-
sistant Professor Vandana Singh for their exemplary guidance, moni-
toring and constant encouragement to give shape to this project. The
blessing, help and guidance given by them time to time shall carry me
a long way in the journey of life on which I am about to embark.

I also take this opportunity to express a deep sense of gratitude to my

respected seniors who share their cordial support, valuable informa-
tion and guidance, which helped me in completing this task through
various stages.

Lastly, I thank the almighty, my parents, brother, sister and friends for
their constant encouragement without which this assignment would
not have been possible.

2
Contents
INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................5
BIRTH OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS ........................................................6
OBJECTIVES OF THE CONGRESS ....................................................................... 7
FIRST PHASE (1885-1905) ..............................................................................9
PERIOD OF MODERATES or POLITICAL MENDICANCY ............................................. 9
SECOND PHASE (1905-1919) ..........................................................................14
EXTREMIST PHASE or RADICAL POLITICS .........................................................14
Causes for the rise of Extremism ...............................................................15
The Objectives and Methods of Extremist Group ..............................................19
The Surat Session of Congress 1907 .................................................................20
Morley Minto Reforms 1909 ...........................................................................20
The Lucknow Pact 1916................................................................................ 20
The Home Rule Movement 1917 ......................................................................21
THIRD PHASE (1919-1947) – GANDHIAN ERA .......................................................22
ROLE OF CONGRESS IN FREEDOM STRUGGLE .......................................................23
Rowlatt Act 1919 .....................................................................................23
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre .........................................................................23
Khilalfat Movement .................................................................................24
Non-Cooperation Movement .......................................................................24
Chauri-Chaura Incident ..........................................................................25
Swaraj Party ..........................................................................................25
Simon Commission ..................................................................................26
Lahore Session 1929 .................................................................................27
Dandi March 1930 ....................................................................................27
Round Table Conferences ...........................................................................28
The Government Of India Act, 1935 ..............................................................30
Quit India Movement 1942-45 ......................................................................30
Gandhiji’s Fast .........................................................................................31
Cabinet Mission Plan ................................................................................31
Interim Government .............................................................................. 32
Formation Of Constituent Assembly ............................................................32
Mountbatten Plan 1947 ............................................................................. 32

3
The Indian Independence Act, 1947 ................................................................32
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................34

4
INTRODUCTION

Indian National Congress (also known as the Congress Party and abbreviated INC) is a major

political party in India. Founded in 1885 by Womesh Chandra Bonerjee, Surendranath Baner-

jee, Manomohun Ghose, Allan Octavian Hume, William Wedderburn, Dadabhai Naoroji and

Dinshaw Wacha, the Indian National Congress became the leader of the Indian Independence

Movement, with over 15 million members and over 70 million participants in its struggle

against British rule in India.

Here, in this project I have concentrated on the time period of 1885 to 1947 i.e. from the

birth of Congress to the achievement of its objective of Complete Independence. After inde-

pendence in 1947, it became the nation's dominant political party, challenged for leadership

only in more recent decades. In the 14th Lok Sabha (2004-2009), 145 members (out of 545),

the largest contingent amongst all parties, serve in the house. It is the only party to get more

than 100 million votes in the past two general elections (1999, 2004).

5
 BIRTH OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
The movement for India’s independence began with the establishment of the Indian National
Congress in 1885. It is very difficult to say as to how the idea of establishing an organisation
like the National Congress originated. Before the birth of the National Congress, a number of
organisations were formed. But most of them had limited objectives and their influence re-
mained confined to their respective regions. In order to draw the attention of the British pub-
lic opinion towards the welfare of the Indians in 1866, Dadabhai Naroji established East Indi-
an Association in London. Mahadeva Govinda Ranade formed the Madras Mahajana Sabha
in 1881 and also the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha in 1867 for social reforms and national awaken-
ing. In 1885, the Bombay Presidency Association was formed under the leadership of persons
like Feroz Shall Mehta, Badruddin Tayabji etc. with the aim of awakening national con-
sciousness. However, among all these organisations, the Indian Association established under
the leadership of Surendra Natli Banerjee and Anand Mohan Bose, actively attempted to form
a strong public opinion against the unjust policies of the British Government. It opposed the
Arms Act and the Vernacular Press Act of Lord Lytton. It also opposed the reduction of the
qualifying age for appearing in the Indian Civil Service Examination from twenty-one to
nineteen.1
It organised a number of peasant demonstrations demanding reduction of the rate of revenue.
With a view of bringing representatives from all over India to a common platform, the Indian
Association organised All-India National Conferences twice in 1883 and 1885. But the Indian
public opinion could be organised and articulated only with the formation of Indian National
Congress as a national forum.
Allan Octavian Hume, a retired I.C.S. officer was instrumental in the formation of Indian Na-
tional Congress. He wrote an open letter to the students of Calcutta university asking at least
fifty among them to be ready for making sacrifices for the cause of the motherland. Mr.
Hume met Lord Dufferin, the then Governor- General of India and decided to form an associ-
ation which might function on the model of the opposition party of Britain.2

1
Marshall, P. J. (2001), The Cambridge Illustrated History of the British Empire, Cambridge
University Press, p. 179
2
Chiriyankandath, James (2016), Parties and Political Change in South Asia, Routledge,
p. 2

6
This association could be consulted by the British Government to assess the Indian public
opinion on various issues of national interest. Moreover, this all India forum would work as a
‘safety valve’ for the escape of great forces generated due to the British rule in India.Hume
invited eminent Indians from different parts of the country to meet at Poona from 25th to
28th December 1885. But the venue of the meeting was shifted to Bombay as Poona became
infected with Cholera.
The first session of the All India Congress began on 28th December 1885 at Gokuldas Tejpal
Sanskrit College. Eminent barrister of Calcutta, Mr. Woomesh Chandra Banerjee presided
over it. Seventy two invited delegates from different parts of India assembled in this first ses-
sion. Mr. Hume was elected as the first general secretary of the Indian National Congress.
Nine resolutions were passed in this first session.
Though Indian National Congress made a very humble beginning, yet it gradually developed
into a powerful organisation. With its birth, the struggle for India’s liberation was started in
an organised manner. Mahatma Gandhi subsequently ‘made it a mass organisation from a
class organisation of few urban educated middle class people.
It gave representation to the people of different parts of India belonging to different walks of
life. National Congress attempted to fulfill their hope and aspirations. India could be liberated
from the British colonial rule by starting a non-violent movement under the banner of Na-
tional Congress.3

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONGRESS

The first session of the Indian National Congress was attended by prominent persons like

Ferozshah Mehta, Dadabhai Nairoji, K.T. Telang, Dinshaw Wacha etc. While delivering the

Presidential address, W.C. Banerjee, the President of the first session of the Indian National

Congress laid down the following as the objectives of the Congress:

3
Walsh, Judith E. A Brief History of India. Infobase Publishing. p. 154

7
 (i) The promotion of personal intimacy and friendship amongst all the most earnest

workers in our country’s cause in the various parts of the empire.

(ii) The eradication of all possible race, creed or provincial prejudices amongst all the

lovers of the country by direct friendly personal inter course and the fuller devel-

opment and consolidation of those sentiments of national unity that took their ori-

gin in our beloved Ripon’s ever memorable reign.

(iii) The authoritative record of the matured opinions of the educated classes in India

on some of the most important and pressing social questions of the day.

(iv) The determinations of the method by which during the next twelve months it is

desirable for the native politicians to labor in public interest.

(v) To discuss important problems facing by the country.

(vi) To decide the activities that the Indian leaders should take up.

(vii) To formulate popular demands and place them before the government.

(viii) To organize and train public opinion in the country.

The Congress was an All India Institution and had the support and cooperation of the Hindus,

Muslims, Parsees, Sikhs, Christians, Anglo Indians and Europeans. W.C. Banerjee was an

Indian Christian. Its next President was Dadabhai Nairoji who was a Parsee. The third Presi-

dent Badruddin Tayabji was a Muslim. The fourth and the fifth Presidents were George Mool

and William Baderburn who were Britishers.

8
FIRST PHASE (1885-1905)
PERIOD OF MODERATES or POLITICAL MENDICANCY
The history of the first 20 years of the Congress is very important. Several demands of Con-

gress were accepted by the government. The meetings, sessions and activities of the Congress

brought about a unity in the country and the people started demanding share in the adminis-

tration. All this proved to be the foundation stone of freedom. The early Congress leaders

planted a sapling of freedom, watered it and made it grow! Thus, they laid an ordinary but the

right foundation.

The national leaders like Dadabhai Nairoji, P.M. Mehta, D.E. Wacha, W.C. Banerjee, S.N.

Banerjee who dominated the Congress policies during this period were staunch believers in

liberalism and moderate politics and came to be labeled as Moderates to distinguish them

from the neo nationalists of early 20th century who were referred to as extremist. The Moder-

ate leaders explained their political outlook as a happy combination of liberalism and moder-

ation. Believers in the spirit of liberalism, they worked to procure for Indians freedom from

race and creed prejudices, equality between man and man, equality before law, extension of

civil liberties, extension of representative institutions etc. As to their methods M.G. Ranade

explained, “Moderation implies the conditions of never vainly aspiring after the impossible or

after too remote ideals, but fairness”. Thus, the Moderate leaders were convinced believers in

the policy of gradualism and constitutionalism.

During this period, the Congress was dominated by the affluent middle class intelligentsia,

men of legal, medical, engineering, literary pursuits and journalists. The ideas and methods of

this middle class held the field and governed the character of national struggle. The educated

middle class was enamored of titles and services and by its training and culture had isolated

itself from the masses. The delegates to the Congress session were mostly drawn from the

9
cities and had hardly any real contact with the masses. Sir Ferozshah Mehta once explained:

“The Congress was indeed not the voice of the masses, but it was the duty of their compatri-

ots to interpret their grievances and offer suggestions for their redress.”

The Congress had been founded by A.O. Hume after consultations with Lord Dufferin. The

congress leaders were full of admiration for British history and culture and spoke of the

British connection as ‘providential’. It was their cardinal faith that British rule in India was in

the interest of the Indians. As such, they looked upon the British Government not as an an-

tagonist but as an ally; in the course of time, they believed, Britain would help them to ac-

quire the capacity to govern themselves in accordance with the highest standards of the West.

In 1886, Dadabhai Naoroji presiding over the Calcutta session of the Congress dwelt at

length on the “Blessings of the British Rule” and his remarks were cheered by the audience.

Mr. Home moved a resolution for three times three cheers for Her Most Gracious Majesty the

Queen Empress and a further resolution for long life of the Queen. Anand Mohan Bose as

Congress President declared, “The educated classes are the friends and not the foes of the

England- her natural and necessary allies in the great work that lies before her.” Thus it was

generally believed that the chief obstacle in the path of India’s progress was not British colo-

nial rule but the social and economic backwardness of the Indian people and the reactionary

role of the Anglo Indian bureaucracy.

The Moderate leaders stood for the maintenance, rather strengthening of the British Empire.

This approach was the outcome of their apprehension that anarchy and disorder would reap-

pear in India if British Government were superseded. In their eyes, British rule was the em-

bodiment of Peace and Order in the country and such British rule was indispensable in India

for a long time to come. Gokhale explained this viewpoint when he said, “Whatever the short

comings of bureaucracy and however intolerable at times the insolence of the individual Eng-

10
lishman. They alone stand to-day in the country for order, and without continued order, no

real progress is possible for our people. It is not difficult at any time to create disorder in our

country – it was our position for centuries – but it is not so easy to substitute another form of

order for that which has been evolved in the course of a century.” The Moderates sincerely

believed that India’s progress could be possibly only under the supervision of the British.

Hence, their loyalty to the British Crown. Badr-ud-din Tyabji, the third Congress President

declared that nowhere among the millions of Her Majesty’s subject in India were to be found

‘more truly loyal, nay, more devoted friends of the British Empire than among these educated

natives’. Thus, the Moderates would do nothing to weaken the Empire. Loyalty to the Crown

was their faith, one important article of their political religion.

Most of the Congress leaders of the period believed that the British people

were just, righteous and freedom loving. They were further convinced that the British people

meant justice to be done to India. If Indians had certain grievances, these were only due to the

reactionary policy the British bureaucracy in India or ignorance of the British people about

these grievances. As such, the nationalist leaders believed that all they had to do was to pre-

pare their case and present and plead it before the British Parliament and nation and their

grievances would be redressed and justice done. As a natural corollary, the Congress leaders

put great emphasis on Congress propaganda in England.

During the period under review, the Congress demanded a few concessions and not freedom

for the nation. True, Lokmanya Tilak used the word Swaraj or Self Government towards the

last decade of the nineteenth century but it did not become popular nor did it figure in the of-

ficial resolutions of the Congress. Presiding over the Poona Congress in 1895, Surendernath

Banerjee declared that they had never asked for “representative institutions of a modified

character for the educated community who by the reason of their culture and enlightenment,

11
their assimilation of English ideas and their familiarity with English methods of Government

might be presumed to be qualified for such a boon.” Congress resolutions generally demand-

ed expansion of Legislative Councils with enlarged powers and more representation of Indi-

ans in the Secretary of State’s Council, Viceroy’s Executive Council and Governors’ Execu-

tive Council; more opportunities for Indians in the Civil Services; holding of simultaneous

examinations in India as well as England; broadening of the basis of civil liberties; reduction

of military expenditure and more expenditure on development of education; separation of ju-

diciary from executive works in District Administration; enquiry into the backward economic

and industrial condition of the country; improvement of the lot of Indians in South Africa and

the Empire generally etc. These demands were always worded in prayerful and apologetic

language and the Congress was wedded to the use of Constitutional methods.

Assessment of the policies of the Moderates

The achievements of this periods were decried by the Radical otherwise called Extremist

leaders of the early twentieth century. The policy of the Moderates or the ‘Old Guard’ was

criticized as ‘Political Mendicancy’. Lala Lajpat Rai wrote: “It was at best an opportunist

movement. It opened opportunities for treacheries and hypocrites. It enabled some people to

trade in the name of patriotism.”

A big charge against the Moderates was their loyalty to the Crown. It may be mentioned that

the Moderate leaders believed that India lacked some of the essential elements, which consti-

tuted a nation and British rule kept them together. As such, they did not see any alternative to

British rule in India in the near future. Their patriotism, therefore, demanded that they should

be loyal to the British raj, for any termination of British rule was likely to be harmful to Indi-

an national interests. B.C. Pal, then a moderate leader, said in 1887, “I am loyal to the British

12
Government because with me loyalty to the British Government is identical with loyalty to

my own people and my own country… I am loyal to the British Government, because I love

self – government.”

In all fairness, it must be said that men like Dadabhai Naoroji, Sir Feroz Shah Mehta, Sir

Dinshah Wacha, Gopal Krishna Gokhle, Surender Nath Banerjee etc. were the most progres-

sive elements in Indian society and true patriots. They desired all – round progress and mod-

ernization of India – social reform, modern education, industrial and economic development

of India. They earnestly wished the betterment of Indian society and worked to lessen the

harshness of British rule. Their main achievement was the appointment of a Public Service

Commission in 1886 that caused disappointment and the enactment of the Indian Councils

Act of 1892 that did not modify the basic constitution. Further, their efforts resulted in a reso-

lution of the House of Commons (1893) for simultaneous examination for the I.C.S. in Lon-

don and India and appointment of the Welby Commission on Indian Expenditure (1895). In

addition, they did a lot of spadework. Their methods – the use of prayers, press and protests –

brought about political maturity.

Perhaps, the greatest service of the Moderates was rendered when they assessed the economic

impact of British rule on India. They focused public attention on the fact of Indian poverty

and explained that this poverty was largely due to the colonial exploitation of India’s eco-

nomic resources by Britain. The Drain Theory popularized by Dadabhai Naroji, Wacha, Dutt

and others was an open indictment of Britain’s economic role in India. The Extremist leaders

to malign and spit British rule in India used this Drain Theory as a convenient stick.

13
SECOND PHASE (1905-1919)
EXTREMIST PHASE or RADICAL POLITICS
The closing decade of the 19th century and early years of the 20th century witnessed the emer-

gence of a new and younger group within the Indian National Congress that was sharply crit-

ical of the ideology and method of the old leadership. These ‘angry young man’ advocated

the adoption of Swaraj as the goal of the Congress to be achieved by more self – reliant and

independent methods. The new group came to be called the Extremist Party in contrast to the

older one that began to be referred as the Moderate Party.

The process of split in the Congress Party began when Lokmanya Tilak clashed with the

Moderates over the question of Social Reform. In July 1895, Tilak and his group ousted

Ranade and Gokhle from the control of Poorna Sarvjanik Sabha. Gokhle organized a separate

political association called ‘The Deccan Sabha’. There was no love lost between Tilak and

Gokhle. Tilak outmaneuvered Gokhle from national politics over the ‘apology affair’ and

Gokhle was labeled a Kacha reed i.e. spineless fellow who could be brow – beaten by the

Government.

Tilak was made of a different stuff than most of the Congress leaders. He was

forthright in his criticism of the Government and its policies and was prepared to make sacri-

fices to get wrong redressed. He was the first Congress leader to suffer several terms of im-

prisonment for the sake of the country. As early as 1882, for criticizing in strong language the

treatment meted out to the Maharaja of Kolhapur, the Government tried and sentenced Tilak

to four months’ imprisonment. Again, in 1897, Tilak was charged with ‘exciting feelings of

disaffection to the British Government’ and sent to jail for 18 months’ R.I. At the Congress

session at Amraoti (Dec.1897) the supporters of Tilak made an attempt to push a resolution

14
demanding the release of Tilak. The Moderate leaders who controlled the Congress did not

permit it. Similarly, the moderates foiled the attempt of martyrdom at the Congress session at

Madras (Dec. 1898). At the Lucknow seesion of the Congress (Dec. 1899) , Tilak’s attempt to

move a resolution condemning Governor Sandhurst’s administration of Bombay was also

blocked by the Moderates on the plea that the matter was of provincial interest and could not

be discussed at the National Congress. It was because of ideological differences with Tilak

and his group that the Moderate leaders were determined to keep Tilak and Congressmen of

his line of thinking out of all positions of power and responsibility in the Congress and never

gave him a chance to become the Congress President.

Causes for the rise of Extremism

The dissatisfaction with the working of the Congress had been expressed by Bankim Chan-

dra Chatterjee when he described the Congressmen as “place hunting politicians”. Aurbindo

Ghosh wrote a series of articles during 1893-94 entitled ‘New Lamps for Old’ wherein he de-

scribed the Congress as being out of contact with the ‘proletariat’, its character as ‘unnation-

al’ and its work as ‘failure’ and added: “Yet more appalling was the general timidity of the

Congress, its glossing of hard names, its disinclinations to tell the direct truth, its fear of too

deeply displeasing our masters”. He thought that the Congress was “dying of consumption”.

Among the causes and circumstances that helped in the growth of Extremism the following

deserve special mention:

1. Recognition of the true nature of British Rule

15
The efforts of the early nationalist leaders paved the way for the development of the next

stage of nationalist movement. By their painstaking studies and writings, the early nationalist

leaders had exposed the true nature of British rule in India. They conclusively proved by

elaborate statistical data that British rule and its policies were responsible for the economic

ruin of India and her deepening poverty. Dadabhai Naoroji, for example, exposed the ex-

ploitative nature of British rule in India and proved that Britain was ‘bleeding India white’

and the constant ‘drain of wealth’ from India was directly responsible for India’s economic

miseries.

Scholarly writings of nationalist leaders like Ranade’s Essays in Indian Economics

(1898), Dadabhai Naoroji’s Indian Poverty and un-British Rule in India (1901), R.C. Dutt’s

Economic History of India (1901) were the arsenals from which the new leaders shot their

arrows at the British rule in India. Thus the Extremist ideology was a natural and logical next

step in the development of Indian political thinking.

2. Dissatisfaction with the achievement of the Congress

The younger elements within the Congress were dissatisfied with the achievements of the

Congress during the first 15-20 years and were disgusted with the cold and reactionary atti-

tude of the Government. They had lost all faith in the British sense of justice and fairplay.

They were strongly critical of the methods of peaceful and constitutional agitation, popularly

nicknamed of 3Ps – Petition, Prayer and Protests – and described these methods as ‘political

mendicancy’. They became impatient with the slow, almost negligible achievements during

the first fifteen years and advocated the adoption of European revolutionary methods to meet

16
European imperialism.The younger generation of Congressmen (also called Nationalist or

Extremists) had nothing but disgust for the Old Guard. According to them the only ‘political

religion’ of the Congress was – loyalty to the Crown; their only ‘political aim’ was – to im-

prove their chances of getting seats in the central/provincial legislatures or judicial services or

acquiring titles etc.

3. Contemporary International Influences

Events outside India exercised a powerful influence on the younger generation. The humiliat-

ing treatment meted out to Indians in British colonies created anti-British feelings. Further,

nationalist movements in Egypt, Persia, Turkey and Russia gave Indians new hopes and new

aspirations. Indian nationalists gained more confidence and drew inspiration from Abyssinia’s

repulsion of the Italian army (1896) and Japan’s thumping victory over Russia (1905). If

Japan could become a great power on its own, what – but for the British grip – was holding

India back. The spell of European invincibility was broken.

6. Curzon’s reactionary policies

Curzon’s seven-year rule in India, which was full of ‘missions, omissions and commissions’

created a sharp reaction in the Indian mind. Curzon refused to recognize that India was a ‘na-

tion’ and characterized their activity as the ‘letting off of gas’. He insulted Indian Intelli-

gentsia and talked very low of Indian character; at the Calcutta University Convocation, Cur-

zon said, “Undoubtedly truth took a high place in the codes of the West before it had been

similarly honoured in the East, where craftiness and diplomatic wile have always been held in

high repute.” The Calcutta Corporation Act, the official Secrets Act and the Indian Universi-

ties Act created great resentment in India. The Delhi Durbar held in 1903, coming at a time

17
when India had not fully recovered from devastating effects of the famine 1899-1900 was

interpreted as ‘a pompous pageant to a starving population’.

7. The Partition of Bengal

The worst and most hated aspect of Curzon’s administration was the partition of Bengal into

two provinces of Bengal and Eastern Bengal and Assam in 1905. The reactionary measures of

Lord Curzon had already irritated the people. The partition of Bengal in 1905 added fuel to

fire. The people of Bengal felt they have been ‘humiliated, insulted and tricked’. The parti-

tion of Bengal was considered as a subtle attack on the growing solidarity of Bengal Nation-

alism. It was a Machiavellian devise to divide the people on the basis of religion and to put

the Muslims against the Hindus.

The partition forced in teeth of Bengali opposition and protests from the Indian National

Congress showed the contemptuous disregard Curzon and the home authorities had for Indian

public opinion. 16th October 1905 was declared as a day of protest throughout the country.

The tying of Rakhis, observation of fasts, boycott of foreign good, hurtals were important

measures observed by Extremists. Tilak declared from the stage of the Congress ‘Swaraj is

my birth right ; I will have it. Our motto is self reliance and not mendicancy’. The utter disre-

gard Curzon showed for public opinion gave ample evidence, if any evidence was still need-

ed, that the Moderates’ policy of 3Ps was barren of results.

8. Dissatisfaction with the India Councils Act of 1892

The new Act of 1892 did not satisfy even the moderates. It did not give anything substantial

to the Indians. The people now increasingly felt that the policy of appeals and prayers had

yielded nothing.

18
The Objectives and Methods of Extremist Group
The extremist group was organized under the leadership of the trio- Lal, Bal and Pal (Lala

Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal). Tilak gave the slogan of the new

group. It was explained by Gokhle when he said, “we are not beggars and our policy is not

mendicancy”. “We are ambassadors of our people at a foreign court to watch and guard the

interests of our country and get as much for her as we can.”

The new leadership sought to create in the people a passionate love for liberty

accompanied by a spirit of sacrifice and a readiness to suffer for the cause of the country.

They strove to root out from the people minds the omnipotence of the ruler and instead give

them self-reliance and confidence in their own strength.

The extremist advocated boycott of foreign goods, Swadeshi and National Education. The

Swadeshi Movement was designed to encourage house industry and provide the people with

more opportunities for work and employment. Soon it was discovered that economic boycott

might prove a powerful weapon against economic exploitations by the foreigners. It proved a

most effective weapon for injuring British interests in India. It was believed the newly rising

Indian manufacturing class would liberally provide funds for the Congress and thus strength-

en it. Lala Lajpat Rai summed up: “we desire to turn our faces away from Government House

and turn then to huts of the people. This is the psychology, this is the ethics and this is the

spiritual significance of the boycott movement.”

19
The Surat Session of Congress 1907
In the Surat Session of the Congress in 1907 there was an open drift between the two groups

and the Moderates were able to secure majority and the other group – Extremist – get sepa-

rated from the Congress and did not stop its movement. The Extremists were regarded as

great danger to their existence by British. They were arrested and imprisoned. For dealing

with them, sections 124A, 153A were added in IPC by the British.

Morley Minto Reforms 1909

Morley Minto Reforms were introduced in 1909 during the period when Lord Minto was the

Governor General of India. The reform envisaged a separate electrorate for Muslims besides

other constitutional measures. The Government thereby sought to create a drift within the

Congress on the one hand by winning the support of Moderates and on other hand by win-

ning the favour of Muslims against Hindus. To achieve the latter objective, the reform intro-

duced the system of separate electrorate under which Muslims could only vote for Muslim

candidates. This was done to encourage the notion that the political, economic and cultural

interests of Hindus and Muslims were separate and not common. Indian political leaders were

however dissatisfied by these reforms.

The Lucknow Pact 1916

Tilak and Gokhle started to make efforts for making compromise with the Moderates. But the

talks broke off on account of the insistence of Ferozshah Mehta. Mrs. Annie Besant joined

the Congress in 1915. She introduced new ideas and a new outlook in the Congress politic-

20
s.She took up the matter of reunion of the moderates and the extremists in right earnest. Her

efforts bore fruit and the extremist joined the Congress again.

Further, Indian Muslims were annoyed of the British attitude towards Turkey.

So, they turned to the Congress. The annual session of both the parties were held at Lucknow

in 1916. As a result, a pact was signed between the Congress and the Muslim League in 1916.

It is known as Lucknow Pact. Both the parties agreed to form a united front to carry on strug-

gle for the freedom of country. It was an important step towards Hindu-Muslim unity.

The Home Rule Movement 1917

In 1915, Mrs. Annie Besant announced her decision to establish a Home Rule League on the

model of Irish Home Rule Movement. It was to be auxiliary to the INC. In 1916, she set up a

Home Rule League at Madras. Tilak organized his own Home Rule League at Poona. Both of

them worked the unison and aimed at achievement of self-government. Mrs. Besant said, “I

am Indian waking up all the sleepers so that they may wake and work for their motherland.

India does not chaffer with the blood of her sons and the proud tears of her daughters in ex-

change for so much liberty, so much right. India claims the right as a Nation, to justice among

the peoples of the Empire. India asked this before the war, India will ask for it during the war,

India will ask for it after the war but not as a reward but as a right does she ask for it.” The

movement reached its zenith in 1917. The Government began to take stern measures against

it. Looking the resistance, the Secretary of State for India made an announcement in 1917

promising responsible Govt. to the people of India by stages. Slowly and gradually, the

movement died out. Mrs. Besant was elected the President of Congress in 1917. Mr. Mon-

21
tague visited the India the same year – held talks – his report published in 1918 and the Govt.

of India Act was passed in 1919.

THIRD PHASE (1919-1947) – GANDHIAN ERA

The period was dominated by M.K. Gandhi who introduced new ideas into Indian politics.

He depreciated the policy of violence and underground plots but preached open and active

resistance to injustice. He advocated the adoption of Satyagrah i.e. insistence for the truth,

non-violent and non-cooperation towards the government which did not look to the interests

of the governed and was high handed and oppressive. He emphasized on social reforms. He

worked for the upliftment of women. He gave untouchables the name of Harijans and by liv-

ing himself among them and by eating with them, he tried to remove prejudices and hatred

from the minds of common people. For the upliftment of the rural masses, he advocated the

use of ‘Khadi’ and adopted ‘Charkha’ as the symbol of national movement. Further, he firmly

believed that unless both the Hindus and the Muslims joined, India would never get freedom.

He even laid down his life for the cause of Hindu – Muslim unity. Gandhi ji used to explain

his program for strengthening India by exhorting the people to practice five virtues – spin-

ning, removal of untouchability, sobriety (non-consumption of alcohol and opium), Hindu

Muslims unity and equality for women.4

The object of Congress in this period was attainment of Swaraj by all legiti-

mate means within the Empire if possible and without it if necessary. In 1930 came the uni-

vocal aim of Poorna Swaraj. The Congress organization was considerably strengthened and

4
Mahatma Gandhi. The Gandhi Reader: A Sourcebook of His Life and Writings. Grove
Press. p. 254.

22
its constitution gained more democratic form. Its aim was an all-round improvement of Indi-

an society.

ROLE OF CONGRESS IN FREEDOM STRUGGLE

The Indian National movement was primarily a movement for freedom from alien domina-

nation. The movement has been one comprehensive effort embracing all aspects of the life of

the community. Here, we have only focused on INC's contribution to India's Freedom Strug-

gle (i..e., prior to 1947). INC specially under the leadership of Gandhi Ji has played a vital

role in getting freedom from the British rule. The important events wherein the INC’s role

and contribution in the freedom of our country can be appreciated are enlisted below -

Rowlatt Act 1919

During the viceroyalty of Lord Chelmsford, a sedition committee was appointed by govern-

ment under Justice Rowlatt which made recommendations to curb seditious activities in In-

dia. The Rowlatt Act gave unbridled powers to the government to arrest and imprision sus-

pects without trial. Gandhi Ji decided to fight against this Act and he gave a call for Satygra-

ha on April 06, 1919. He was arrested two days later which led to further intensification of

agitation in Delhi, Punjab and Ahmedabad.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

The arrest of Dr. Kitchlu and Dr. Satyapal on April 10, 1919, under the Rowlatt Act in con-

nection with Satyagrah caused unrest in Punjab. On April 13,1919 a public meeting was held

in Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar where thousands of people assembled. Before the starting of

meeting, General O’Dyre ordered indiscriminate heavy firing causing death of hundreds of

23
people and more than 1200 were wounded. This massacre was a turning point in Indo-British

relations and inspired the people to provide more unrelenting fight for freedom. It gave

strength to Gandhi Ji’s mission.

Khilalfat Movement
The Caliph, Sultan of Turkey, was looked upon by the Muslims as their religious head. Dur-

ing the First World War, when the safety and welfare of Turkey was threatened by the British

thereby weakening the Caliph’s position, Indian Muslims adopted an anti-British attitude.

Mohammed Ali and Shaukat Ali, the two brothers, launched an anti-British movement in

1920 for the restoration of Khilafat. It was supported by Gandhi ji and the INC, which paved

the way for Hindu-Muslim Unity.

Non-Cooperation Movement
With the Congress support of Khilafat Movement, Hindu-Muslim unity was achieved which

encouraged Gandhiji to launch his non-violent, non-corporation movement. At the Calcutta

session in September 1920, the Congress resolved in favour of the movement and defined

Swaraj as its ultimate aim. The movement envisaged- surrender of titles and honorary offi-

cers; resignation from nominated offices and posts in local bodies; refusal to attend govt. dar-

bars and official functions and boycott of British courts by lawyers; refusal of general public

to offer themselves for military and other government jobs; boycott of foreign goods etc.

Gandhiji along with the Ali brothers of Khilafat movement undertook a na-

tionwide tour addressing hundreds of meetings and a large number of political leaders. In the

intial weeks, apart from educational boycott which was successful specially in Bengal, Pun-

jab etc., boycott of law courts occur which saw major lawyers like Motilal Nehru, C.R. Das,

24
Aruna Asaf Ali, Rajagopalachari, Vallabhbhai Patel etc. giving up their lucrative practices in

their fields.

Another dramatic event during was the visit of the Prince of Wales. The day he

landed in India (in Bombay on November 17, 1921) he was greeted with empty streets amd

downed shutters wherever he went. The Non-Cooperation movement had other indirect ef-

fects even as it led to a Kisn Movement throughout the country, Akali movement in Punjab,

strikes in steamer service and Assam-Bengal Railways and many other local movements.

Chauri-Chaura Incident
The Congress session held at Ahmedabad in December 1921 decided to launch a Civil Dis-

obedience movement while reiterating its stand on the non-violent, non-cooperation move-

ment of which Gandhi ji was appointed the leader. Before Gandhi ji could launch the Civil

Disobedience Movement, a mob of countrymen at Chauri Chaura, a place near Gorakhpur in

U.P., clashed with the police which opened fire. In retaliation the mob burnt the police station

and killed 22 policemen. Thus, Gandhi ji called off the Civil Disobedience Movement on

February 12, 1922. Despite this Gandhi ji was arrested and sentenced six years imprisonment.

The Chauri Chaura incident convinced Gandhiji that the nation was not yet ready for the

mass-disobedience and he prevailed upon Congress Working Committee in Bardoli on Feb-

ruary 02, 1922 to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Swaraj Party
Gandhiji’s decision came in severe criticism from his colleagues like Motilal Nehru, C.R.

Das and N.C. Kelkar, who organised the Swaraj Party. The party was founded on January 01,

1923 as the ‘Congress-Khilafat-Swarajya Party. It proposed then an alternative programme of

25
diverting the movement from widespread civil disobedience movement to restrictive on

which would encourage its member to enter into legislative councils by contesting elections

in order to wreck the legislature from within and to use moral pressure to compel the authori-

ty to concede to the popular demand for self-government.

In the election in 1923 the Swaraj party captured 45 of the 145 seats. In provincial elections

they secure few seats but in central provinces they secured as clear majority. They demanded

the release of all the political prisoners, provincial autonomy, repealing of the repressive laws

imposed by the British Government. However, after the death of C.R. Das in 1925 they drift-

ed towards the policy of cooperation with the government which led to dissension and party

broke up in 1926.

Simon Commission
The British Govt. appointed this commission in November 1927 to review the working of the

diarchy system introduced by the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms and to report as to what

extent the representative government could be introduced in India. Its all members were Eu-

ropeans. Indian political leaders felt insulted and decided to boycott it. It was the INC that

turned the boycott into a movement. As soon as Simon and his colleagues landed in Bombay

on February 03, 1928, all the major cities and towns observed a complete Hartal, mass rallies,

processions and black flag demonstration. Wherever the commission went, there were slo-

gans ‘Simon Go Back’. While leading the demonstration, Lala Lajpat Rai was severly beaten

in a police lathi-charge and succumbed to his injuries. It was his death that Bhagat Singh and

his comrades were seeking to avenge when they killed a white police official, Suanders, in

December 1928.

26
Lahore Session 1929
In December 1929, under the president ship of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the INC at its Lahore

session resolved declaring ‘Poorna Swaraj’ to be the goal of the national movement. It was

Gandhiji again who was the decisive voice investing Nehru with the office of president in

what was to be a critical year of mass struggle.

On December 31, 1929, the newly adopted tricolour flag was unflurled and

January 26 fixed as the Independence Day which was to be celebrated every year, pleading to

the people not to submit to British rule any longer.

Dandi March 1930

Also called the ‘Salt Satyagraha’. To achieve the goal of complete indepen-

dence, Gandhi ji launched another civil disobedience movement. Along with 79 followers,

Gandhi ji started his famous march from Sabarmati Ashram on March 20, 1930, for the small

village Dandi to break the Salt Law. While Gandhi ji was marching to Dandi, Congress lead-

ers and workers had been busy at various levels with the hard organization tasks of enrolling

volunteers and members, forming grassroot congress committees, collecting funds, and tour-

ing villages and towns to spread nationalist messages. Preparations of launching the Salt

Satyagrah were made, sites chosen, volunteers prepared and the logistic of battle worked out.

By the time Gandhi ji reached Dandi, he had a whole nation, aroused and expectant, waiting

for the final signal. On reaching the seashore on April 06, 1930, he broke the Salt Law by

picking up salt from the seashore. Thus, he inaugurated the Civil Disobedience Movement, a

movement that was to remain unsurpassed in the history of the Indian national movement for

the countrywide mass participation it unleashed. This powerful movement sparked off patrio-

tism even among the Indian soldiers in the Army.

27
Gandhiji was arrested on May 05, 1930. This was followed by another round of boycott of

foreign goods and it took the shape of nationwide civil disobedience movement in which

ladies also participated. There was a massive protest on Gandhi ji’s arrest which was feed

backed with lathi-charge, police firing etc.

Round Table Conferences

- The First Round Table Conference 1930

It was held in London on November 12, 1930, to discuss the Simon Commission. The Com-

mission has proposed self-government in the provinces and federation of British India and the

princely states at the Centre. The representatives of the Muslim League, Liberals and other

parties had assembled for the discussion of the commission report but in the absence of the

premier political party i.e. INC, the first RTC had to be adjourned to January 02, 1931.

- Gandhi Irwin Pact 1931

Two moderate statesman, Sapru and Jayakar initiated efforts to bring about re-rapprochement

between Gandhi ji and the government. Six meeting with Viceroy Irwin finally led to the

signing of a pact between the two on March 05, 1931, whereby the Congress the movement

and agreed to join the Second Round Table Conference on the terms of release of all political

prisoners not convicted for violence, the remission of all fines not yet collected, the return of

confiscated land not yet sold to third parties and lenient treatment of all the government offi-

cers who had resigned. Gandhi ji and other leaders were released from jail. The Govt. also

conceded the right to make the salt for consumption of villages along the coast and also the

right to peaceful and non-aggressive picketing.

28
- The Second Round Table Conference 1931

It was held in London during the viceroyalty of Lord Willingdon and Gandhiji attended it on

behalf of the INC. Nothing much was expected from the Conference for the imperialist polit-

ical forces, which ultimately controlled the British Government in London, were opposed to

any political or economic concessions being given to India which could lead the indepen-

dence. However, it failed as Gandhi ji could not agree with British PM Ramsay Macdonald

on his policy of communal representation and his refusal on the basic Indian demand for

freedom.

- Poona Pact 1932

In August 1931, Ramsay Macdonald announced his award on communal representation. This

as another expression of ‘Divide and Rule’ policy. Gandhi ji was deeply grieved by this and

underwent a fast in protest against this award since it aimed to divide India on communal ba-

sis. He staked his life to get the wards repudiated.

According to the pact, the idea of separate electorate for the Depressed Classes was aban-

doned but seats reserved for them in provincial legislatures were increased from 71 in the

Award to 147, and in Central Legislature to 81 percent of the total. Ultimately the fast ended

with the Poona pact which annulled the award. The leaders of various groups and parties

among Hindus, and BR Ambedkar on behalf of Harijans, signed the pact. This pact between

Hindus and the depressed classes agreed upon a joint electorate. 


29
The Third Round Table Conference

It was held in 1932 but proved fruitless since the national leaders were in

prison.

The Government Of India Act, 1935

The Simon Commission report submitted in 1930 formed the basis for the

Government of India Act 1935. The Act introduced provincial autonomy, abolished diarchy in

provinces and made ministers responsible to the legislative and federation at the centre. It

was condemned by nearly all sections Indian public opinion and was rejected by the Con-

gress. The Congress demanded instead, the convening of a Constituent Assembly elected on

the basis of adult franchise to frame a constitution for an independent India. Yet, it contested

the elections when the Constitution was introduced on April 01, 1937; and formed ministries,

first in six provinces and then in another two. The Congress high command exercised a great

hold upon ministries of each provinces.

Quit India Movement 1942-45

On August 08, 1942 the Congress in its meeting at Bombay passed a resolution known as

‘Quit India Movement’, whereby Gandhi ji asked the British to quit India and gave a call for

‘Do or die’ to his countrymen. He was arrested next day, but the other leaders continued the

revolutionary struggle. Violence spread throughout the country, several Govt. offices were

destroyed and damaged and communication paralyzed. The movement was, however, crushed

by the government.

30
Gandhiji’s Fast
He undertook a 21-day fast in jail. His condition deteriorated after 13 days and all hopes of

his surviving were given up. But as a result of his moral strength and spiritual stamina, he

survived and completed the fast. This was his answer to the Govt. who was constantly exhort-

ing him to condemn the violence of the people in the ‘Quit India Movement’. He unequivo-

cally held the Govt. responsible for the widespread violence.

The popular response to the news of the fast was immediate and overwhelm-

ing. All over the country, there were hartals, demonstration, and strikes. The fast had done

exactly what it had intended to. Public morale was raised, the anti-British feeling heightened,

and an opportunity for the political activity provided. The Quit India Movement marked a

new high in terms of popular participation in the national movement and sympathy with the

national cause. As earlier, the students were at the forefront the struggle. Women also played

a vital role. Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kriplani, Usha Mehta were among the important mem-

bers of the small group participating in the agitation. Independence was no longer a matter of

bargain now. After Quit India there could be no retreat.

Cabinet Mission Plan

On a declaration made by Lord Attlee on March 15, 1946, British Cabinet Mission visited

India to make recommendations regarding constitutional reforms to be introduced in India.

But it failed in bringing a satisfactory solution to the difficulties. The Mission envisaged the

establishment of a Constituent Assembly to frame the Constitution as well as an interim gov-

ernment. The Muslim League accepted the plan, while maintaining its strive for a separate

State. The Congress also partially accepted the plan.

31
Interim Government
On September 02, 1946, an interim government was formed. Congress members led by

Jawahar Lal Nehru joined it but the Muslim League did not as it withdrew its earlier accep-

tance of the Cabinet Mission Plan.

Formation Of Constituent Assembly

The Constituent Assembly met on December 09, 1946, and Dr. Rajender Prasad was elected

its President. The Muslim League did not join it.

Mountbatten Plan 1947

In March 1947, Lord Mountbatten replaced Lord Wavell. He announced his plan on June 03,

1947. it offered a key to the political and constitutional deadlock created by the refusal of the

Muslim league to join the Constituent Assembly formed to frame the Constitution of India.

Mountbatten’s formula was to divide India but retain maximum unity. The country would be

partitioned but so would be Punjab and Bengal, so that the limited Pakistan that emerged out

would meet both the Congress and the League’s position to some extent. He laid down de-

tailed principles for the partition of the country and speedy transfer of political powers in the

form of dominion status to the newly formed dominions of India and Pakistan. Its acceptance

by the Congress and the Muslim League resulted in the birth of Pakistan.

The Indian Independence Act, 1947

The Bill containing the provisions of the Mountbatten Plan of June 03, 1947, was introduced

in the Parliament and passed as the Indian Independence Act 1947. the Act laid measures for

32
the partition of the country and speedy transfer of political powers to the new governments of

India and Pakistan.

The Act made India and Pakistan independent dominions. Bloodshed and violence marked

the exodus of refugees. Lord Mounbatten was appointed the Governor -General of free India

and M.A. Jinnah the first Governor- General of Pakistan.

After independence, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel single heartedly dealt with the accession of all

princely states. All states were merged into neighbouring provinces. Mahatma Gandhi under-

took a fast for the sake of Muslim rights. On January 30, 1948, he was assassinated by Nathu-

ram Vinayak Godse at the Birla House prayer meeting in Delhi.

On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly passed the new Constitution of India. On

the morning of January 26, 1950, India was proclaimed a republic and Dr. Rajender Prasad

took over as the first president, Dr. Radha Krishnan as the Vice President and Pt Jawahar lal

Nehru took over as the first Prime Minister.

33
CONCLUSION
The Indian National Congress (INC) was formed in 1885 by A.O. Hume. It was the first po-

litical organization of its kind, which put the Indians on the forefront. Few organizations in

the world have as long and illustrated history as the Indian National Congress (INC). Titans

such as Gopalakrishna Gokhale, Lala Lajpat Rai, Gandhi ji and Bose served on its presiden-

cy. The Congress(I) as it is known today in India, remains as a very important political force-

a phenomenon continued on by the Nehru/Gandhi family. Here, we have only focused on

INC's contributions and roles during the period of 1885 to 1947.

The movement for freedom struggle started in India with the inception of INC.

However, it got full impetus only after the arrival of Gandhi Ji. He started non- cooperation

and Khilaft movements in 1920 against the Rowlatt Act but had to be terminated due to out-

break of Chauri-Chaura incident. Thereafter, a resolution for complete independence was

passed in the Lahore session of INC in 1929. To achieve this goal Gandhi Ji started Civil

Disobedience Movement and Dandi March. It had a great impact on British Govt. and they

call Round Table Conferences I and II. But these conferences did not yield any result. How-

ever, mass agitation continued in India, which caused the British Govt. to pass Diarchy Act of

1935. As a result of this act, elections were held and Congress formed Govt. in 7 provinces

out of 11.

The second war broke out in 1925 and British Parliament declared India’s

support to axis forces without taking into confidence the leaders of INC. As a result, the pro-

vincial Govt. resigned and Gandhi Ji started Quit India Movement on 8 August, 1942. To

pacify the Indian leaders, the British Govt. sent Cripps Mission in India. At the same time,

Subash Chander Bose formed INA. However, the power of British weakened financially and

34
politically due to II World War. All theses reasons coupled together forced the British to leave

India. They formed a Wavell Plan and Constituent Assembly was formed in India to draft the

Constitution in 1946. But they could not resolve the conflict of INC and Muslim League. So

the British sent Lord Mountbatten as Governor General. He formed a new plan known as

Mountbatten Plan which disintegration of India in two dominion states i.e. Bharat for INC

and Pakistan for Muslim League.

In this way, Pakistan became independent on 14 August 1947 and India on

15 August 1947. Thus, INC fulfilled its objective of complete independence. On November

26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly passed the new Constitution of India. On the morning of

January 26, 1950, India was proclaimed a republic and Dr. Rajender Prasad took over as the

first president, Dr. Radha Krishnan as the Vice President and Pt Jawahar lal Nehru took over

as the first Prime Minister.

35
BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. WEBSITES

1.1. www.kamat.com/kalranga/freedom/inc.htm - 16k

1.2. www.aicc.org.in/role_of_press_in_india’s_struggle_for_freedom.php - 44k

1.3. www.flipkart.com/freedom-movement-role-congress-leaders/8170541638- wv23f9t7vl -

26k –

1.4. www.wikipedia.org/Indian_National_Congress

2. BOOKS

2.1. A New Look At Modern Indian History, S. Chand (S. Chand & Company Ltd., New Delhi
2006)

2.2. History of Modern India, J.K. Tomar (Mahaveer & Sons, New Delhi 2007)

2.3. Text Book Of History, NCERT, Class X


36
 2.4.

37