Formation of INC (Indian National Congress) : Was it a Security Valve?

 Hello friends, I am reading nowadays historical books. I read many topics, later came to Bipin Chandra's book of Modern Indian History. There are two chapters that claim of what some people / historians thanks about the formation of Congress. A group of people say it was a security valve for Britishers and English authorities formulated INC for their personal interests while other side says it was automatically created, and there is no conspiracy like bad mouth-publicity is created.

Formation of INC (Indian National Congress) : Was it a Security Valve?

So today I am going to put my facts whether it was a pre-planned security valve for British government or it was created with no such intention. So let's start -

Brief History of Congress - The Indian National Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British empire in Asia and Africa. Founders are, Allan octavian Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, dinshaw Edulji Wacha. Congress was initially formed to formulate voice of Indians and strengthen voice among British authorities.

Was formation of Congress Successful - There is two sights of formation of INC. If you are the person who say this was a security valve for British government, then you got it right that the formation of congress was successful as after the revolt of 1857 (sepoy mutiny 1857) the british government had confrontation of huge loss, even after the revolt common people started raising their voices against the British government. It was going to happen a huge protect and violence against the british government. There are many events in Indian history after 1857 when common Indians expressed dissatisfaction against the imperialism. Finally the British government created Indian National Congress and the leaders successfully controlled / curbed upcoming violence against the imperial government.

Other side, some historians state that formation of INC was just coincident. But reality is that the revolt of 1857 was fought for personal gains mainly. There were many reasons, religious, superstitious, doctrine of lapse, taxation etc. Before the revolt of 1857 educated, rich ones believed that the government (british government) is for India's betterment, they are developing their nation, afterwards they will look for India's prosperity. This was one of the main reasons of getting support from rich, educated ones for British government in 1857 revolt. Even the exaggerated Jhansi Ki Rani Lakshmibai also tried to demand exemption from doctrine of lapse from the British government, in return she was ready to give support to Britishers to suppress the voice of protesters, revilers of 1857 revolution.

What points Bipin Chandra ji has mentioned in his book about the formation of INC: truth as security valve or claiming it a false allegation. But by following the history event steps, everyone can analyze that the establishment of INC was more a security valve rather for independence of India.

This is other fact that in near future the congress was divided, and there was depute among congress personals. In initial days some nationalist type, or some those type persons also joined the INC who really wanted India as an independent country. But this thought raised after 1916 AD movement. The main aim of congress was to make India as a dominion state of the British government. Now think -

1. Congress worked as a security valve that prevented violence against the British government then.

2. In initial days, congress never demanded independent India, they wanted to be a dominion state (a state, self ruling state, under the British Government).

3. Division of congress shows that there was something unhappy happening in INC.

4. In every war WW-1, WW-2 congress agreed to campaign of British government.

5. Supported majority policies of British government, that should be amended, but congress accepted.

So overall, in my opinion, formation of INC was not purely as a security valve, but in some extent it can be said that Indian National Congress was formulated for safety of British government, and to prevent another revolt like 1857 sepoy mutiny.

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Author is preparing for UPSC CS and interested zealous student of history. He loves to discuss the issues of current affairs and those topics that are in favor of creating a good nation: a good India. You can follow "Digital Soft Hub" YouTube Channel for to get beneficial updates.

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