The Indian National Congress was founded on December 28, 1885. 
72 delegates gathered in Mumbai to establish the political party with a goal to create “polite dialogue” between Indians and the colonial British government. 

The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885, is one of India’s oldest and most prominent political parties. Initially formed as a platform for moderate political reforms and Indian representation under British colonial rule, it evolved into the central force in India’s freedom struggle. The INC played a key role in India’s independence movement, particularly under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who introduced non-violent resistance strategies like civil disobedience and the Quit India Movement.

Post-independence, the INC became the dominant political party in India, leading the country for several decades under leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi. The party’s core values include secularism, social justice, and democratic governance.

… Read more at:Indian National Congress History, Foundation, Objective and Feature

For the INC’s 100th anniversary, India’s post office released this 4 stamp block of stamps showing all of (to 1985) the presidents that came from the party. 

 

Congress Presidents
From the Centenary of Indian National Congress release 
Designer: Chitta Pakrashi