According to the Safety Valve Theory what was Hume’s main intention in encouraging the foundation of the Congress?

The "Safety Valve" theory is a historical thesis regarding why the British colonial administration supported the creation of the Indian National Congress.

The Concept: Just as a safety valve in a steam engine releases excess pressure to prevent an explosion, the Congress was intended to act as a political "safety valve."

Hume's Intention: Hume and British officials noticed a tremendous amount of simmering anger and discontent among educated Indians against British policies. They feared this could boil over into another violent, widespread rebellion like the Revolt of 1857.

The Solution: By providing a peaceful, constitutional platform (the Congress) where educated Indians could discuss their grievances, present petitions, and debate policies, the British hoped to safely defuse this revolutionary energy before it could threaten the empire.

Evolution of the Theory

Later, nationalist leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai used this theory to criticize the early, moderate phase of the Congress, claiming it was originally devised as a tool to protect British imperial interests rather than to win Indian independence. However, modern historians generally view the relationship as a "lightning conductor," where early Indian leaders used Hume as a catalyst to form a national body without immediately inviting British suppression.