Early Political Associations (Pre-Congress Era): Bengal British India Society, Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

(Landholders’ Society (1837), British Indian Association (1851), Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870), Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884), Indian Association (Surendranath Banerjee, 1876), Objectives: representation, civil rights, petitions, Role in preparing ground for Indian National Congress)

Notes for Students For UPSC,  early political associations is relevant across multiple UPSC subjects. Modern Indian History (GS Paper I) covers their emergence and significance in national awakening. Polity links these efforts to early demands for constitutional rights and legislative representation. Ethics (GS Paper IV) draws on their commitment to justice and public welfare. These themes also enhance essay arguments on nationalism and civil society. Prelims test factual aspects, while Mains require analysis of their historical impact. Thus, this topic is deeply integrated into the UPSC preparation journey.

Introduction

The political awakening of modern India began well before the establishment of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885. During the pre-Congress era, a number of political associations emerged across British India, each reflecting the early aspirations for civil rights, political representation, and administrative reforms. These associations played a crucial role in sowing the seeds of nationalism and preparing the Indian intelligentsia for a broader organized struggle. 

1. Bengal British India Society (1843)

Established: 1843, London and Calcutta
Key Figures: William Adam, George Thompson
Headquarters: Calcutta

Objectives:

• Dissemination of information about the nature of British rule in India
• Promotion of Indian welfare through legal and constitutional means
• Creating public opinion in Britain about India’s grievances

Significance: The Bengal British India Society was among the earliest associations to voice concerns about the exploitative policies of the British. Although led by British liberals, it provided a platform for Indian grievances and pioneered the concept of political dialogue with the British Parliament.

2. Landholders’ Society (1837)

Established: 1837, Calcutta
Also Known As: The Zamindari Association

Objectives:

• Protection of landlords’ interests under the Permanent Settlement
• Legal safeguards for landholders’ rights

Significance: Primarily a conservative body, it marked the first effort by Indians to collectively address the colonial government. Though limited to the interests of zamindars, it set a precedent for future political mobilization.

3. British Indian Association (1851)

Formed By: Merger of the Landholders’ Society and Bengal British India Society
Key Figures: Radhakanta Deb, Debendranath Tagore

Objectives:

• Promotion of education
• Legislative reforms and inclusion of Indians in administrative councils
• Advocacy for legal and constitutional reforms

Significance: The Association sent several petitions to the British Parliament, laying the foundation for constitutional agitation. It represented elite Bengali interests and stressed collaboration over confrontation.

4. Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870)

Established: 1870, Poona
Key Figure: Mahadev Govind Ranade

Objectives:

• Representing popular demands to the colonial government
• Promoting political education among Indians
• Advocacy for administrative reforms and Indian representation

Significance: A bridge between social reform and political consciousness, the Sabha organized public meetings and submitted petitions. It represented the voice of the educated middle class in western India.

5. Indian Association (1876)

Established By: Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose
Headquarters: Calcutta

Objectives:

• Greater participation of Indians in governance
• Unity among Indians regardless of caste and religion
• Promotion of political awareness and civil rights

Significance: The Indian Association organized one of the first all-India political conferences in 1883. It played a crucial role in mobilizing pan-Indian political consciousness and can be seen as a direct precursor to the INC.

6. Madras Mahajan Sabha (1884)

Established: 1884, Madras
Key Figures: M. Veeraraghavachari, P. Anandacharlu, G. Subramania Iyer

Objectives:

• Promotion of constitutional methods of political agitation
• Advocacy for administrative and legislative reforms
• Education and political training for the masses

Significance: The Sabha contributed to creating a political culture in southern India. It worked closely with similar bodies in Calcutta and Bombay, culminating in joint efforts that led to the formation of the Indian National Congress.

Common Themes and Legacy

Primary Objectives Across Associations:

• Demand for Indian representation in legislative councils
• Protection of civil liberties and rights
• Use of petitions and memoranda as tools of political expression
• Promotion of education and awareness

Role in Preparing Ground for the INC:

• These associations helped develop a politically conscious middle class.
• They provided platforms for future nationalist leaders.
• Their advocacy laid the groundwork for organized political activities at a national level.
• Their collaborative efforts and dialogues made the transition to a unified political organization like the INC possible.

Conclusion

These early political associations, though regionally confined and moderate in their approach, played a foundational role in India’s national movement. Their contributions, often underappreciated, represent the formative phase of India’s democratic aspirations. 

For UPSC aspirants, understanding their evolution offers crucial insights into the ideological and structural genesis of the Indian National Congress and the broader freedom struggle.

MCQ

1. Which of the following was the first political association established in British India?

A. British Indian Association
B. Landholders’ Society
C. Bengal British India Society
D. Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

Answer: B. Landholders’ Society
Explanation: Established in 1837, the Landholders’ Society was the earliest political association, focusing on landlord rights under Permanent Settlement.

2. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was primarily known for:

A. Representing zamindars’ interests
B. Working for peasant revolts
C. Promoting political education and reforms
D. Organizing militant resistance

Answer: C. Promoting political education and reforms
Explanation: It aimed to represent people’s demands and promote political consciousness through constitutional methods.

3. Who among the following was associated with the foundation of the British Indian Association?

A. Surendranath Banerjee
B. Mahadev Govind Ranade
C. Debendranath Tagore
D. Pherozeshah Mehta

Answer: C. Debendranath Tagore
Explanation: The Association was formed in 1851 with leaders like Radhakanta Deb and Debendranath Tagore from Bengal.

4. Which of the following associations was founded outside India as well as within India?

A. Madras Mahajan Sabha
B. Bengal British India Society
C. Indian Association
D. British Indian Association

Answer: B. Bengal British India Society
Explanation: It was established both in London and Calcutta in 1843 to influence British public opinion.

5. The Indian Association played a crucial role in organizing which of the following events?

A. Formation of INC
B. First war of Independence
C. First all-India National Conference (1883)
D. Hunter Commission

Answer: C. First all-India National Conference (1883)
Explanation: Organized by Indian Association, it brought together leaders from various regions, paving the way for the INC.

6. Assertion (A): The Madras Mahajan Sabha played a key role in southern India’s political awakening.

Reason (R): It adopted revolutionary methods to oppose the British.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: C. A is true, but R is false.
Explanation: The Sabha used constitutional methods, not revolutionary ones, to promote reforms and awareness.

7. Which among the following merged to form the British Indian Association?

A. Indian Association and Poona Sabha
B. Landholders’ Society and Indian Association
C. Landholders’ Society and Bengal British India Society
D. Bengal British India Society and Madras Mahajan Sabha

Answer: C. Landholders’ Society and Bengal British India Society
Explanation: These two merged in 1851 to form a unified voice for Indian demands in Bengal.

8. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha is best remembered for:

A. Launching civil disobedience movement
B. Drafting the Constitution
C. Sending petitions to the British government
D. Organizing violent uprisings

Answer: C. Sending petitions to the British government
Explanation: The Sabha used petitions to raise concerns and suggest administrative reforms.

9. Match the following associations with their founders:

Association	Founder
A. Indian Association	1. M. Veeraraghavachari
B. Madras Mahajan Sabha	2. Surendranath Banerjee
C. Poona Sarvajanik Sabha	3. Mahadev Govind Ranade

Codes:
A – 2, B – 1, C – 3
A – 3, B – 1, C – 2
A – 1, B – 2, C – 3
A – 2, B – 3, C – 1

Answer: A – 2, B – 1, C – 3
Explanation: The associations are correctly matched with their key figures.

10. Which association was the first to use the word “Indian” in its name?

A. Landholders’ Society
B. Bengal British India Society
C. Indian Association
D. British Indian Association

Answer: D. British Indian Association
Explanation: Formed in 1851, it was among the earliest to incorporate “Indian” in the name, signifying collective Indian identity.

11. Assertion (A): Early political associations failed to mobilize the masses.

Reason (R): They were largely elite-dominated and confined to urban areas.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
Explanation: These associations were formed by elites, thus failing to reach the rural or poorer masses.

12. The Indian Association was particularly active in demanding:

A. Complete independence from British rule
B. Participation of Indians in legislative councils
C. Military resistance against the British
D. End of caste system

Answer: B. Participation of Indians in legislative councils
Explanation: One of its core demands was greater Indian participation in governance through legislative reforms.

13. The Zamindari Association is another name for:

A. Madras Mahajan Sabha
B. Indian Association
C. Landholders’ Society
D. Bengal British India Society

Answer: C. Landholders’ Society
Explanation: It was primarily composed of zamindars seeking protection of their interests under colonial rule.

14. Which of the following correctly describes the contribution of early political associations?

A. They achieved constitutional reforms through direct negotiations.
B. They laid the foundation for modern Indian nationalism.
C. They organized widespread peasant movements.
D. They were opposed to education and Western ideas.

Answer: B. They laid the foundation for modern Indian nationalism.
Explanation: These groups initiated political awareness and constitutional activism, setting the stage for national struggle.

15. Assertion (A): Early political associations in India prepared the ground for the Indian National Congress.

Reason (R): They fostered political unity, civil rights discourse, and petitioning practices.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation.
Explanation: Their legacy of political education, unity, and petitions significantly influenced the formation of the INC in 1885.