Aims and Objectives of the Congress
Modern History › Beginning of Modern Nationalism and the Moderate Phase · Topic 13.4
In its initial stage the Indian National Congress aimed to found a democratic, nationalist movement, politically educate people, set up the headquarters of a movement, bring nationalist workers together, develop an anti-colonial ideology, present popular demands, build national unity across religion, caste and province, and nurture Indian nationhood.
4 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Beginning of Modern Nationalism and the Moderate Phase
At a Glance
- What it is The initial aims of the Indian National Congress
- Number of aims Eight, as listed in the chapter
- Core idea Build a national movement and a sense of nationhood
- Method Political education and presentation of popular demands
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Beginning of Modern Nationalism and the Moderate Phase
Where Does It Fit?
This is the fourth topic of the category on the beginning of modern nationalism and the Moderate phase. The previous topic told how the Congress was founded. This topic sets out what it set out to do. The next topic describes the approach and leaders of the Moderates. Previous topic: Foundation of the Indian National Congress and the Safety-Valve Debate.
What Were the Initial Aims?
The main aims of the Indian National Congress in the initial stage were to:
| No. | Aim |
|---|---|
| 1 | Found a democratic, nationalist movement |
| 2 | Politicise and politically educate people |
| 3 | Establish the headquarters for a movement |
| 4 | Promote friendly relations among nationalist political workers from different parts of the country |
| 5 | Develop and propagate an anti-colonial nationalist ideology |
| 6 | Formulate and present popular demands before the government with a view to unifying the people over a common economic and political programme |
| 7 | Develop and consolidate a feeling of national unity among people irrespective of religion, caste or province |
| 8 | Carefully promote and nurture Indian nationhood |
How Do the Aims Group Together?
The eight aims can be grouped under four headings.
| Group | Aims | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Organisation | 1 and 3 | A democratic, nationalist body with a headquarters for a movement |
| People | 2 | Political education of the people |
| Leaders | 4 | Friendly relations among nationalist workers from all parts of India |
| Ideas and unity | 5 to 8 | An anti-colonial ideology, popular demands, national unity and nationhood |
How Did the Aims Fit the Times?
The aims followed from the factors that produced nationalism, set out in Factors in the Growth of Modern Nationalism, and from the earlier work of associations, in Political Associations Before the Indian National Congress. The early Congress was a place where leaders from different regions, who communicated in English and travelled by rail, could meet every December in a different part of the country, as stated in Foundation of the Indian National Congress and the Safety-Valve Debate.
As an analytical point, the aims are worded in terms of building a movement and a nation, not of seeking particular reforms. This is why the early Congress is best seen as a body for political education and unity, and why its methods in Era of the Moderates, 1885-1905: Approach and Leaders were slow and orderly. Aim 7 refers directly to national unity across religion, caste and province, which mattered because Indian society had many divisions and sub-divisions, as noted in Evaluation of the Early Nationalists.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Direct fact The list of aims is asked in Prelims and used in Mains
- Framework It explains the character of the Moderate phase
- National unity The stress on unity across religion, caste and province is a key point
What Came Next?
The next topic describes the approach and leaders of the Moderates. Next topic: Era of the Moderates, 1885-1905: Approach and Leaders.
Key People and Terms
- Politicise To make people aware of political questions
- Anti-colonial ideology A body of ideas opposed to colonial rule
- Nationhood The sense of being one nation
- Popular demands Demands expressing the needs of the people
- Democratic movement A movement based on popular participation
- Common programme A shared economic and political programme
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Aim 1: democratic, nationalist movement.
- Aim 2: political education.
- Aim 5: anti-colonial nationalist ideology.
- Aim 7: unity irrespective of religion, caste or province.
- Aim 8: Indian nationhood.
Do Not Confuse With
- Aims and demands Aims were about building a movement; demands were presented to the government
- Early and later Congress aims Early aims did not include swaraj
- Headquarters and venue The aim of headquarters was for a movement; sessions moved each year
Memory Hook
Educate, unite, present demands, nurture the nation.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for the objectives of the early Congress. These points add depth.
- Nation-building The aims stress movement and nationhood
- Unity Religion, caste and province were to be bridged
- Education Political education of the people
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“What were the aims and objectives of the Indian National Congress in its early years?”
How to Answer
- List State the eight aims in groups.
- Context Link them to the factors for nationalism.
- Method Education and presentation of demands.
- Conclude Note that unity was a central aim.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main aims of the Indian National Congress in its initial stage?
The aims were to found a democratic nationalist movement, politicise and educate people, establish headquarters for a movement, promote friendly relations among workers, develop an anti-colonial ideology, present popular demands, build national unity, and nurture Indian nationhood.
Why did the early Congress stress political education?
The early Congress wanted to politicise and politically educate the people, to build public opinion and unify them over a common economic and political programme. This was a basic task before any more direct form of political action was possible.
What did the Congress aim to do for national unity?
It aimed to develop and consolidate a feeling of national unity among people irrespective of religion, caste or province. It also aimed to promote friendly relations among nationalist workers from different parts of the country, so that leaders could act together.
What kind of ideology did the early Congress want to develop?
The early Congress wanted to develop and propagate an anti-colonial nationalist ideology. It also wished to formulate popular demands and present them to the government in order to unify the people over a common programme.
Did the early Congress aim at complete independence?
No. The eight aims listed in the chapter do not include independence. They concern building a democratic nationalist movement, political education, unity and nationhood, and presenting popular demands before the government, so independence came later.
Why is the Congress called a democratic nationalist movement in its aims?
The first aim was to found a democratic, nationalist movement, and the last was to nurture Indian nationhood. The Congress was to be a representative national body drawing leaders from all parts of the country.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 One aim of the early Congress was to develop an anti-colonial nationalist ideology.
It was the fifth aim listed.
2 The early Congress demanded complete independence.
Its listed aims concern building a movement and nationhood.
3 The early Congress aimed at unity irrespective of religion, caste or province.
This was its seventh aim.
4 The early Congress aimed to confine itself to religious reform only.
Its aims were political and national.
5 Political education of the people was among the early aims.
It was aim number two.
Related Topics
Browse the full Modern History index