Soon after the formation of Indian National Congress, the British beca

Soon after the formation of Indian National Congress, the British became suspicious of nationalists. Who among the following called Congress representing only the elite — ‘a microscopic minority’ ?

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Lord Napier

Lord Dufferin

Lord Ripon

Lord Lytton

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2015

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The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 during the tenure of Lord Dufferin as the Viceroy of India (1884-1888). Initially, the Viceroy viewed the Congress positively, seeing it as a potential ‘safety valve’. However, as the demands of the Congress grew and it gained popularity, Dufferin became critical of it. He famously ridiculed the Congress, stating it represented only a “microscopic minority” of the Indian population, suggesting it did not speak for the masses.

Lord Dufferin’s description of the INC as a “microscopic minority” reflects the early British imperial stance of dismissing the representative character and political significance of the nascent nationalist movement.

The early Indian National Congress was indeed composed primarily of Western-educated elites from various parts of India. However, its leaders aspired to represent the interests of the entire nation and gradually broadened its base and demands over time.

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