The Indian National Congress

Regional attempts to form associations of citizens had limited success. Then came an unlikely figure.

Allan Octavian Hume was a British officer who had become critical of colonial policies, blaming them for poverty in India, which did not please the authorities.

He resigned in 1882 and worked to bring together a group of like-minded Indians. In 1885 the Indian National Congress held its first session in Bombay.

Dadabhai Naoroji, then a leading voice, and Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee, elected the first president, played leading roles. Seventy-two delegates came from different regions and religions, mostly from the English-educated upper classes.

Now read carefully what the Congress said about itself at the start.

It expressed full faith in the 'providential character' of British rule in India, and its 'unswerving allegiance to the British Crown'.

That is not yet a freedom movement. It is a body asking to be heard within an empire it accepted. It held yearly sessions in different cities, passing resolutions calling for dialogue.

Its reasoning was practical: more Indian participation in government, protection of civil rights, and some social and economic reforms would calm the growing anger. But the colonial government largely ignored its resolutions, gave only minor concessions, and denied Indians any real share in government. Year after year, polite requests went unanswered.