The formation of the Indian national congress in 1885 by A.O. Hume was the most remarkable event in the History of India. Lord Dufferin favoured the foundation of the party because he wanted it to act as a safety valve for popular discontentment to safeguard the British rule in India but soon congress turned out to be a revolutionary organisation leading the people to independence.
Congress helped in uniting the people of different religions, regions, classes, castes, languages and so on.
For the first time political unity was being sponsored by forward looking Indians.
Congress was the first organisation that helped to train and organise public opinion in India.