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Political Associations Before Indian National Congress

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The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in December 1885. However, before INC, many political organizations were established in different parts of India and abroad. The political institutions that were established in India in the first half of the 19th century were mainly led by the rich and influential class. The nature of these institutions was local or regional. Through various petitions and applications, they placed the following demands before the British government:

  • Administrative reforms
  • Promote the participation of Indians in administration
  • Spread of education
  • Social reforms

Although, the political institutions that were formed in the country in the second half of the 19th century were mainly led by the Upper class, over time middle class also became part of it. Various people of this class such as lawyers, doctors, journalists, teachers, etc. provided strong leadership to these political organizations, all of them gave fulfillment and relevance to the demands of these institutions by delivering competent leadership.

Some of the Major Reasons for the Formation of Political Institutions:

  1. Inspired by Political Ideas:
    When Indian youth went to England to complete their education or for other reasons like business etc., They came in personal contact with the British and understood the system of their political institutions. They began to comprehend the values ​​of political freedom and independence. The inferior mentality of slavery gradually started disintegrating in them. On their return to India, the conditions of slavery started to disturb them.
  2. Influence of the Western Education System:
    Britishers implemented the western education system in India. Due to this Indians were introduced to western knowledge and science. The English language made it easier for the people speaking different languages ​​in India to understand each other. The slogans of freedom, equality, and fraternity were also received by Indians from the study of foreign literature and history.
  3. Contribution of Indian Newspapers:
    Newspapers also contributed significantly to the awakening of national consciousness in India. At that time many newspapers came out in Indian languages ​​and English language. All these newsletters mainly raised the voice of patriotism and opposition to imperialism.
  4. Financial Dissatisfaction:
    One of the main reasons for the rise of the political parties was economic dissatisfaction. The East India Company, which came to India in 1600 for trade, took advantage after the fall of the Mughal Empire in the eighteenth century and also worked to destroy the factories and merchants. The foreign capitalists dominated the native capitalists and blocked their development. India’s cottage industries collapsed, and Indians became unemployed.
  5. Prejudice about government jobs:
    The policies on government jobs were also biased. In 1858, the Victoria Declaration assured that Indians would be appointed to high positions, regardless of colour, religion, or caste but it was not given practical form.
  6. Religious and Social Renaissance:
    The religious and social reform movement has played a decisive role in the development of political associations in India. In the national renaissance of India, thinkers of the country and abroad have made their important contributions. In India, Raja Rammohan Roy, Dayanand Saraswati, Swami Vivekananda, Lokmanya Tilak, etc. tried to grope the voice of India’s conscience.
     

1. Political Institutions in Bengal:  

Raja Rammohan Roy was the first promoter of political movements in Bengal. He was a man influenced by western ideas. He was the first to draw the attention of the British toward Indian problems. It is believed that many liberal sections of the Charter Act of 1836 were the result of his efforts. However, the credit for forming the first political organization in Bengal went to his associates, when he formed the Bangabhasha Prakashan Sabha in 1836.

A. Zamindari Association:

In March 1838, the Zamindari Association, also known as the Landholders Association, was formed by Dwarkanath Tagore to protect the interests of the landlords. The Zamindari Association was the first political association in India, which initiated organized political efforts. It was the first to adopt the path of constitutional demonstration for the fulfillment of its objectives.

B. British India Society:

Another political assembly was formed in April 1843, the Bengal British India Society by William Adam, whose aim was to inculcate the feeling of nationalism among the people and encourage political education. Society tried to find solutions by considering the difficulties and sorrows of all sections of the society under the influence of British rule. In 1851, the Zamindari Association and the Bengal British India Society merged and formed a new organization called the British Indian Society. It sent an application to the British Parliament appealing that some of its suggestions be included in the new charter of the company like:

  • Establishment of a separate legislature with popular objectives.
  • Salary reduction of upper-class bureaucrats.
  • Abolition of salt tax, excise tax, and postage.

The Act of 1853 made a provision to nominate 6 new members in the Legislative Council of the Governor-General to assist in law-making. This resulted in partial success of these suggestions offered by the Association.

C. East India Association:

In 1866, Dadabhai Naoroji formed the East India Association in London. Its purpose was to make Britain aware of the problems and demands of the people of India and to prepare public support in England in favour of the people of India. Later, its branches were opened in different parts of India.

D. Indian Association of Calcutta:

In 1875, Sisir Kumar Ghosh founded the Indian League, whose objective was to awaken the feeling of nationalism among the people and to encourage political education. Soon in 1876, the Indian League was replaced by the Indian Association of Calcutta by Surendranath Banerjee and Anandamohan Bose. Both of them were against the narrow and pro-zamindar policies of the British Indian Association. The Indian Association of Calcutta was one of the important organizations of the predecessor of the Indian National Congress. Its main objectives were as follows:

  • To prepare strong public opinion in the context of the then political system.
  • To establish unity among the people of India for a common political program.
  • Branches of the Association were opened at many places in Bengal and also at many places outside Bengal. The association kept its membership fee very low to attract people from the lower-income group.

2. Political Institutions in Bombay:

A. Bombay Association:

The first political organization in Bombay was the Bombay Association, which was formed on 26 August 1852 by Jagannath Shankarsheth on the pattern of the Calcutta British India Association. Its purpose was to give suggestions to the government against discriminatory government rules and to give a memorandum to the government to remove various errors.

B. Poona Sarvajanik Sabha:

In 1867, Mahadev Govind Ranade formed the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha. The purpose was to act as a bridge between the government and the people. The Bombay Presidency Association was formed in 1885. The credit of which goes to Syed Badruddin Tyabji, Firozshah Mehta, and K. T. Telang.

3. Political Institutions in Madras:

A. Madras Native Association:

It was established by Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty in 1852 and its main objective was to call for reforms in British administration and protest any injustice meted out to Indians. The Madras Native Association was formed as a branch of the British India Association of Calcutta.
 

Some of the other Famous Organizations:

  1. Madras Mahajan Sabha: It was established in 1884 by M. Veeraraghavachariar, P. Ananda Charlu, and G. Subramania Iyer. They talked about fundamental rights like freedom for the people of the country. It was established to create harmony among local institutions.
  2. Bangabhasha Prakashika Sabha: It was the first political organization of Bengal established in 1836 by Raja Rammohan Roy. It encouraged Bengali education and reviewed government and administration work. It also tried making Indians initially aware of politics.
  3. National Indian Association: It was founded in 1867 by Mary Carpenter with the help of Keshub Chunder Sen in London. Its primary goal was to increase Indian women’s education. In Addition, they tried to educate the British about India as the number of Indians was growing in Britain. 
  4. The Bombay Presidency Association: Pherozeshah Mehta, K.T Telang, and Badruddin Tyabji founded the Bombay Presidency Association in 1885. It was instituted in response to Lytton’s regressive views and the Ilbert Bill issue.


Last Updated : 03 Oct, 2022
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