Indian National Congress

Definition

The Indian National Congress (INC) is a political party in India that was founded in 1885, playing a central role in the struggle for India's independence from British rule. The INC initially aimed to promote the interests of educated Indians but evolved into a major force advocating for self-rule and civil rights, becoming synonymous with the movement for independence and the eventual partition of India into India and Pakistan.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Indian National Congress was formed with the intention of obtaining a greater share in government for educated Indians and initially focused on moderate reforms.
2. Under leaders like Gandhi, the INC shifted towards mass mobilization and adopted nonviolent methods, which played a crucial role in mobilizing large segments of Indian society against colonial rule.
3. The INC was instrumental in organizing significant events like the Salt March in 1930, which symbolized defiance against British salt laws and drew global attention to India's plight.
4. The party faced internal divisions regarding strategies and goals, especially between moderates who favored negotiations and extremists who sought immediate action.
5. The INC's efforts culminated in India gaining independence in 1947, but also contributed to communal tensions that led to the partitioning of the country into India and Pakistan.

Review Questions

• How did the strategies employed by the Indian National Congress evolve from its founding to India's independence?
  • Initially, the Indian National Congress focused on moderate reform and collaboration with British authorities to increase Indian representation in government. However, as dissatisfaction grew with colonial rule, especially after events like World War I, the INC embraced more radical approaches under leaders such as Gandhi. This shift included mass mobilization efforts and civil disobedience campaigns that galvanized public support for independence and highlighted injustices, ultimately leading to a more assertive stance against British rule.
• Discuss the impact of the Indian National Congress on the partition of India and Pakistan.
  • The Indian National Congress played a significant role in the push for independence but also faced challenges in managing religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims. As the INC sought to unite Indians under a common nationalist identity, it often clashed with Muslim leaders who felt marginalized. This inability to adequately address communal concerns contributed to rising tensions that ultimately led to the partition of India in 1947, creating separate nations for Hindus and Muslims, resulting in widespread violence and displacement.
• Evaluate how the methods used by the Indian National Congress influenced other movements for independence worldwide.
  • The methods employed by the Indian National Congress, particularly nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience led by figures like Gandhi, inspired numerous global movements for independence and civil rights. These strategies demonstrated that ordinary people could effectively challenge oppressive regimes without resorting to violence. Movements such as the American Civil Rights Movement adopted similar tactics of peaceful protest and civil disobedience, showing how the INC's approach transcended borders and had a lasting impact on global struggles against colonialism and oppression.

Related terms

Mahatma Gandhi:

A leader of the Indian independence movement who advocated for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience against British rule.

Partition: The division of British India in 1947 into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan, which was influenced by religious and political factors.

Civil Disobedience: A nonviolent protest strategy used by the INC and its leaders, including Gandhi, to resist British laws and policies that were deemed unjust.