Question

Why did Lord Dufferin favour the formation of The Indian National Congress?

Answer 1

The first war of independence or Sepoy Mutiny as British called it, was lingering in their minds even during 1885. The British government felt if the educated Indians, who were quite in number at that time, join together to encourage others into another conflict of the scale of 1857, it will be disastrous for the empire to survive. Therefore they thought of providing a forum through which they can air their grievances. The then Viceroy Lord Dufferin engaged A O Hume a retired civil servant, to help Indians start Indian National Congress which he called "Safety Valve" against the popular discontent. The arguments put forward for this theory is

The Viceroy Lord Dufferin with the help of A O Hume a retired civil servant helped start this organisation to provide a platform to the educated Indians to vent their grievances. If it is done through the organisation started by them it will be easy to solve. Britishers sensed that a situation of the type of 1857 may develop at that time.A O Hume had a series of meetings with Lord Dufferin.He also had meetings with Sir James Caird, Lord Rippon, Jhon Bright etc., regarding the starting of the organisation.Many British in India also supported A O Hume in this regard.

Gokule during 1918 had stated that since it was started by a British the INC is allowed to exist. Otherwise they would have suppressed the movement. Now this theory is discarded. During the second session which was held in Calcutta, Dadabai Naoroji was elected president and the number of members rose to 426 which swelled to 2000 by 1889. After 1889 INC started meeting every year.

Hope this will help you!!!

Answer 2

He believed that the InC would act as a safety valve for them ( British) in supporting their unjust policies before the common people.......

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