The Indian National Association also known as Indian Association was the first avowed nationalist organization founded in British India by Surendra Nath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose in The objectives of this Association were "promoting by every legitimate means the political, intellectual and material advancement of the people". The Association attracted educated Indians and civic leaders from all parts of the country, and became an important forum for India's aspirations for independence. It later merged with the Indian National Congress.