Who among the following had given the idea to mobilise all the leading Indian political leaders under a common platform called the Indian National Congress?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) A. O. Hume
Explanation:
• Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, is credited with proposing the idea of bringing leading Indian political leaders together under a national political platform.
• He played a crucial organisational role in forming the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885.
• His initiative aimed to provide a peaceful and constitutional outlet for the political aspirations of educated Indians.
• Hume acted as a mediator and facilitator to ensure Indian leaders could present their grievances safely to the British administration.
Information Booster:
• The first session of INC was held in Bombay in December 1885, presided over by W. C. Bannerjee.
• The INC later evolved into the principal organisation leading India’s freedom movement against colonial rule.
Additional Knowledge:
Surendranath Bannerjee (Option b)
. An early nationalist leader and founder of the Indian Association but not the proposer of INC formation.
W. C. Bannerjee (Option c)
. Served as the first President of the INC but did not conceptualise its creation.
Ananda Mohan Bose (Option d)
. A respected nationalist leader and later INC President, but not the founder or originator of the idea.