Indian National Association

The Indian National Association (INA) was one of the earliest political organisations in British India, founded to promote national consciousness and political unity among Indians. Established in 1876 by Surendranath Banerjee and Anandamohan Bose in Calcutta (now Kolkata), the Association marked a significant step towards the organised political awakening that later culminated in the formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885. It was the first Indian organisation with an explicitly national outlook, aiming to unite educated Indians from different regions to collectively articulate their political aspirations under British rule.

Background and Historical Context

The latter half of the 19th century witnessed the rise of a new English-educated Indian middle class, particularly in Bengal, Bombay, and Madras. This emerging intelligentsia was influenced by Western liberal and democratic ideals such as equality, liberty, and representative government.
However, British rule in India was marked by racial discrimination, exclusion of Indians from higher administrative posts, and economic exploitation. Events such as the disqualification of Surendranath Banerjee from the Indian Civil Service, the Vernacular Press Act (1878), and the repressive policies of Lord Lytton (including the Arms Act and the reduction of the age limit for the ICS examination) stirred widespread resentment among Indians.
Against this backdrop, educated Indians felt the need for a political organisation that could represent Indian interests and press for administrative reforms through peaceful and constitutional means. The Indian National Association emerged as the response to this need.

Founders and Formation

The Indian National Association was founded in 1876 by two eminent Bengali leaders:

• Surendranath Banerjee (1848–1925): A former ICS officer and a powerful orator, often hailed as the Father of Indian Nationalism for his pioneering role in political mobilisation.
• Anandamohan Bose (1847–1906): A distinguished barrister and social reformer, known for his advocacy of education, women’s rights, and moderate political reform.

Initially, the organisation was called the Indian Association of Calcutta, but it was soon renamed the Indian National Association to reflect its broader national objectives.

Aims and Objectives

The main aims of the Indian National Association were:

• To promote political unity and national consciousness among educated Indians.
• To create a common political platform for Indians from different provinces.
• To demand greater Indian representation in the civil services and legislative councils.
• To work for administrative and constitutional reforms within the framework of British rule.
• To protect Indian interests against discriminatory colonial policies.
• To organise public opinion through meetings, speeches, and petitions.

The Association believed in peaceful, moderate, and constitutional agitation—seeking reform through persuasion and dialogue rather than confrontation.

Activities and Programmes

The Indian National Association played a vital role in fostering early Indian nationalism through its programmes and initiatives.
1. Political Mobilisation and Conferences:

• The Association organised public meetings and political conferences to discuss national issues.
• The most significant of these was the All India National Conference held in 1883 in Calcutta, attended by representatives from various provinces—one of the first attempts to create an all-India political forum.
• Another important session of the Conference was held in 1885, which discussed issues such as civil rights, education, and employment opportunities for Indians.

2. Campaign for Indian Civil Service Reforms:

• The Association strongly opposed the reduction of the maximum age limit for the Indian Civil Service examination from 21 to 19 years, which effectively restricted Indian participation.
• It organised petitions and protests demanding the restoration of equality of opportunity in government services.

3. Advocacy for Representative Institutions:

• The INA called for legislative reforms and greater Indian participation in governance through elected councils.
• It demanded the introduction of local self-government and financial accountability of the British administration.

4. Promotion of Political Education:

• The Association emphasised the need for political awareness among the educated classes.
• It encouraged debates, lectures, and publications to spread civic consciousness and the idea of Indian nationhood.

Nature and Ideology

The Indian National Association represented the Moderate phase of Indian nationalism. Its leaders believed in loyalty to the British Crown and sought political progress through constitutional agitation rather than revolutionary action.
Its ideology can be summarised as follows:

• Faith in British Liberalism: The leaders believed that the British Parliament, guided by liberal values, would respond positively to Indian demands if presented rationally.
• Gradual Reformism: The Association sought gradual expansion of political rights rather than immediate independence.
• Educated Leadership: It viewed the educated elite as the legitimate representatives of Indian public opinion.
• National Unity: It aimed to bridge regional, linguistic, and religious divides by creating a pan-Indian political identity.

Relationship with the Indian National Congress

The Indian National Association served as a precursor to the Indian National Congress (INC). Many of its founders and members later became active in the Congress movement.
When the Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 under the initiative of Allan Octavian Hume, the Indian National Association merged with the INC in 1886, sharing common objectives of national representation and political reform.
The merger symbolised the unification of regional political efforts into an all-India movement and strengthened the foundation of modern Indian nationalism.

Contributions and Significance

The Indian National Association made several enduring contributions to India’s political evolution:

1. Pioneering Political Organisation:
   • It was the first political body in India with an explicitly national character, moving beyond provincial concerns.
2. Platform for Political Discussion:
   • It provided a forum for educated Indians to debate public issues and formulate collective demands.
3. Seedbed of Nationalism:
   • The Association nurtured the early phase of Indian nationalism by promoting unity and a sense of national identity.
4. Public Mobilisation:
   • Through its meetings, speeches, and conferences, it familiarised the public with the methods of constitutional agitation.
5. Bridge to the Congress Era:
   • Its work laid the groundwork for the formation of the Indian National Congress, which became the principal vehicle for India’s freedom movement.

Decline and Legacy

Following the establishment of the Indian National Congress, the Indian National Association gradually lost its independent identity. In 1886, the Association merged with the Congress, marking the transition from regional or semi-national organisations to a united all-India political platform.