Indian National Congress

Definition

The Indian National Congress (INC) is a political party in India, founded in 1885, that played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. Initially aimed at obtaining a greater share in government for educated Indians, it evolved into the principal platform advocating for full independence, culminating in the 1947 liberation of India. The INC's push for self-rule and democratic governance significantly influenced the global discourse on decolonization and national identity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The INC was founded with the aim of obtaining more rights for educated Indians within the British colonial framework, but its goals shifted towards complete independence over time.
2. Key leaders of the INC included figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru, who later became India's first Prime Minister, and Mohandas Gandhi, who introduced strategies of nonviolent resistance.
3. The INC organized several mass movements and protests, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 and the Quit India Movement in 1942, to mobilize public support against British rule.
4. The party's demands for self-governance were largely ignored until World War II, when Britain's weakened state led to increased negotiations with Indian leaders about independence.
5. The INC's influence extended beyond India; its fight for self-rule resonated globally and inspired other colonies to pursue independence from colonial powers.

Review Questions

• How did the goals of the Indian National Congress change from its inception to the time of India's independence?
  • When the Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, its initial focus was on securing greater representation for educated Indians within the British colonial government. However, as nationalistic sentiments grew and British policies became more oppressive, the INC shifted its goals towards complete independence from colonial rule. This transformation culminated in its active leadership during major movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement and Quit India Movement, advocating for Swaraj, or self-rule.
• Assess the role of Mohandas Gandhi within the Indian National Congress and how his philosophies impacted the independence movement.
  • Mohandas Gandhi emerged as a pivotal figure within the Indian National Congress, championing nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as effective tools against British rule. His philosophy of Satyagraha emphasized truth and moral integrity, which galvanized mass participation across diverse sections of society. Gandhi's leadership helped transform the INC into a mass movement that not only sought political independence but also aimed at social reform and unity among different religious and ethnic groups.
• Evaluate the significance of the Indian National Congress in shaping post-colonial national identity in India and its influence on other decolonization movements worldwide.
  • The Indian National Congress played a crucial role in shaping India's post-colonial national identity through its advocacy for democracy, secularism, and inclusive governance. The INC's strategies and ideologies influenced various decolonization movements around the globe by demonstrating that organized mass mobilization could successfully challenge imperial rule. Its successful negotiation for independence in 1947 set a precedent that encouraged other colonies to pursue similar paths toward self-determination and statehood, contributing to a broader wave of decolonization during the mid-20th century.

Related terms

Mohandas Gandhi: A prominent leader of the Indian independence movement who employed nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as key strategies against British colonial rule.

Partition of India: The division of British India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, in 1947, which was accompanied by widespread violence and displacement.

Swaraj: A term meaning 'self-rule' or 'independence', which became a central tenet of the INC's ideology during the struggle for Indian independence.