The origin of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885 has remained one of the most debated issues in modern Indian historiography. Historians have offered different interpretations regarding its formation, the motives of its founders, and the role of British officials and Indian leaders. These controversies revolve around the Safety Valve Theory, nationalist interpretations, and revisionist perspectives. The earliest and most influential explanation was the Safety Valve Theory, advanced by Lala Lajpat Rai and later supported by several nationalist writers. According to this view, Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, established the Congress with the approval of the British government to provide a constitutional outlet for growing Indian political discontent. It is argued that Hume had access to confidential intelligence reports indicating the possibility of violent unrest among educated Indians. To prevent another rebellion similar to the Revolt of 1857, he created the Congress as a "safety valve" through which grievances could be expressed peacefully. This interpretation portrays the Congress as an institution initially encouraged by the colonial rulers to protect imperial interests. However, the Safety Valve Theory has been challenged by many historians. Bipan Chandra and other modern scholars argue that there is little documentary evidence to support the claim that secret intelligence reports or official British approval led to the Congress's creation. Instead, they emphasize that the British government, particularly under Viceroy Lord Dufferin, soon became suspicious of the Congress and