Question

Why were Englishmen associated with the Congress during its early years?

Answer 1

Englishmen were associated with the Congress in its early years because at that time, the Congress was envisaged as an organisation that would engage in dialogue and cooperation with the British government. The objective of the Congress at that time was not to agitate for independence but petition the government for gradual reforms. Englishmen were quite happy to be associated with such an organisation.