Which of the following statements about the founding of the Indian Nat

Which of the following statements about the founding of the Indian National Congress is/are correct ?

  • It was supported by A.O. Hume who was a political liberal.
  • It was based on similar associations in South-East Asia.
  • It was initially supported by Indian elites who had access to Western education and English.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2018
The correct option is D) 1 and 3 only.
Statement 1 is correct. A.O. Hume, a retired British Indian Civil Service officer who held liberal views, played a crucial role in the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885. He is often credited with initiating the idea and bringing together the early leaders.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Indian National Congress was primarily modelled after liberal political associations and debating societies in Britain, not on similar associations in South-East Asia.
Statement 3 is correct. The initial leadership and membership of the INC were predominantly drawn from Western-educated Indian elites – lawyers, journalists, teachers, landlords, and merchants – who were proficient in English and familiar with Western political thought.
The founding of the INC is sometimes referred to as the ‘Safety Valve Theory’, suggesting that Hume initiated it partly to provide a platform for educated Indians to express their grievances peacefully and thereby prevent a larger uprising. While this theory is debated, Hume’s role and the background of the early leaders (statement 1 and 3) are well-established facts.
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