Which British retired Civil Service Officer took the initiative to convene the first meeting of the Indian National Union?

The correct answer is Allan Octavian Hume.

• Allan Octavian Hume took the initiative to convene the first meeting of the Indian National Union.

Key Points

• In 1884, A.O.Hume founded the Indian National Union.
• Indian National Congress (I.N.C.):
  • The Indian National Union was formed in 1884 A.D by A.O. Hume.
    • He called for a conference in Pune in December 1885 A.D.
  • The conference venue was shifted to Bombay.
  • The leaders decided to rename the Indian National Union as the Indian National Congress.
  • The first session of the Indian National Congress was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay under the presidentship of W.C. Bannerji.
  • It was attended by 72 delegates from all over India.
  • Lord Dufferin was the Viceroy of India during the foundation of INC.
  • The first two decades of INC are described in history as those of moderate demands and a sense of confidence in British justice and generosity.
  • Indian Council Act in 1892 AD allowed some members to be indirectly elected by Indians.

Additional Information

• John Morley was a secretary of state for India during 1906–1910.
• Edwin Montagu was appointed the Secretary of State for India in 1917.