The correct answer is option 4, A.O. Hume. A.O. Hume was a retired British officer who played a significant role in the foundation of the Indian National Congress. After retiring from the civil service in India, Hume became a political reformer and advocated for the establishment of a political platform for Indians to voice their concerns and push for reforms. He believed that a political organization would help bridge the gap between the British rulers and the Indian population. In 1885, Hume convened the first session of the Indian National Congress in Bombay (now Mumbai), which marked the beginning of a unified political movement in colonial India. The Indian National Congress played a pivotal role in the struggle for independence and continues to be one of India`s major political parties today.