Question

Why was the year 1885 considered a landmark year in the history of the Indian freedom struggle?
A) The Indian National Congress got established.
B) Mahatma Gandhi came to India and headed the freedom movement.
C) The Indian Mutiny failed which brought large scale changes in British administration.
D) The Indian Civil Service was opened to Indians.

Answer 1

Hint: Since the 1870s, the growing discontent among the lower class threatened another revolt along the same lines as the mutiny of 1857, conspiring to overthrow British rule. In 1878 A.O. Hume came across seven volumes of secret reports indicating displeasure with the British Raj.

Complete answer:
On 28th December, 1885 Allan Octavian Hume established the Indian National Congress to provide a platform for civil and political dialogue among Indians. The first session of INC, presided by Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee, was held in Bombay and was attended by 72 delegates from all the Indian provinces. It is believed that the British wanted to avoid a situation similar to the Indian rebellion as the growing tide of nationalism and aggression of Indians towards British policies was becoming a hazard for the colonial government.

The British aimed to create an organization that would cooperate with the government and act as a buffer between the Indian public and the British government. This theory, called the ‘Safety-Valve’ theory, was supported by Lala Lajpat Rai and other extremist elements in India. It is also suggested that the retired British Indian Civil Service Officer A.O. Hume was deeply moved by the political plight of Indians thus creating an outlet for Indians to raise their concerns and express their views.

Thus the correct answer is Option ‘B’.

Note: Hume secured the then Viceroy Lord Dufferin’s approval to create an “Indian National Union” but later renamed it to Indian National Congress on the suggestion of Dadabhai Naoroji. The increase in radical nationalism among members became the cause of split in the party in 1906.