Indian National Congress in the years of Elgin’s government (1894–1898)

Abstract

The paper reveals the key problems of development and activities of the Indian National Congress in the years of viceroy Elgin’s government. It describes Congress’ attitude towards Elgin’s Indian policy, relationships between Congress and Indian authorities in the context of the dominance of the conservators in Cabinet and Parliament. Elgin faced with many unresolved problems as famine, plague, currency question. These problems led to outrages in India, adoption of repressive measures by Elgin’s government and, as result, critics of Elgin by Congress. In Britain, where British Committee of Congress and Indian parliamentary committee worked, activities of Congress complicated by conservative domination in the House of Commons. Lack of effective results led to growing contradictions inside Congress, which was manifested in controversion on Congress’ constitution question. This question showed the development of radical tendencies among the rank and file of Congress, which had led to split in Congress at the beginning of 20th century.