Concept:Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India from 1884 to 1888, dismissed the Indian National Congress as representing only a small, privileged section of society.
Explanation:The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume.
Soon after its formation, the British authorities became suspicious of the growing nationalist sentiment.
Lord Dufferin, who served as Governor-General and Viceroy from 1884 to 1888, publicly criticised the Congress.
He claimed that the Congress did not represent the masses but only a "microscopic minority"—meaning the educated elite and upper classes.
For comparison, other Viceroys had different tenures and policies:
Lord Ripon (1880–1884) was known for liberal reforms like the repeal of the Vernacular Press Act.
Lord Lytton (1876–1880) lowered the civil service age limit from 21 to 18 years.
Lord Napier served as Governor of Madras from 1866 to 1872, not as Viceroy.
Only Lord Dufferin made the specific remark calling the Congress a "microscopic minority".
Answer:Lord Dufferin (Option B).