The Indian National Congress was not the first political organisation in India. However, most of the political associations in the early half of the nineteenth century were dominated by wealthy and aristocratic elements. They were local or regional in character. Through long petitions to the British Parliament most of them demanded—
● administrative reforms,
● association of Indians with the administration, an
● spread of education.
The political associations of the second half of the nineteenth century came to be increasingly dominated by the educated middle class—the lawyers, journalists, doctors, teachers, etc.,—and they had a wider perspective and a larger agenda.
Political Associations in Bengal
- Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha (1836): Formed by associates of Raja Rammohan Roy to promote political awareness.
- Zamindari Association (Landholders' Society): Created to safeguard landlords' interests, marking the beginning of organized political activity.
- Bengal British India Society (1843): Focused on collecting and disseminating information about the conditions of British India and promoting Indian welfare.
- British Indian Association (1851): Formed by merging the Landholders' Society and Bengal British India Society. It sent a petition to the British Parliament with demands for administrative changes.
- East India Association (1866): Organized by Dadabhai Naoroji in London to discuss Indian issues and influence British public opinion.
- Indian League (1875): Started by Sisir Kumar Ghosh to promote nationalism and political education.
Political Associations in Bombay
- Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1867): Founded by Mahadeo Govind Ranade and others to serve as a link between the government and the people.
- Bombay Presidency Association: Established in 1885 by Badruddin Tyabji, Pherozshah Mehta, and K.T. Telang.
Political Associations in Madras
- Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884): Established by M. Viraraghavachari, B. Subramaniya Aiyer, and P. Ananda Charlu.
