The Khilafat Movement started in India in 1919. It saw massive protests to support the Ottoman Empire and Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It spread rapidly across the country with the help of committed leaders and Gandhi's support.

Leaders participating in the movement included Ahmad Sagheer Haji Variyami, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Hakim Ajmal Khan, and Abul Kalam Azad, who organized the movement to redress the grievances of Turkey.

Mahatma Gandhi supported the movement as part of his opposition to the British Empire, and he also advocated for a broader non-cooperation movement at the same time. Vallabhbhai Patel, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and other Hindu and Congress figures also supported the movement.

The Khilafat Movement is a topic relevant to the UPSC CSE. It is a basic topic for aspirants to understand the historical aspect of the Khilafat Movement. The Khilafat Movement is an important topic for UPSC Civil Services because it highlights the prime features of the Khilafat Movement, which are frequently discussed in the exam. Join UPSC Coaching today to boost your preparation. 

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What was the Khilafat Movement?

The Khilafat Movement was a political campaign launched by Indian Muslims in British India from 1919 to 1922. It aimed to protest against British policies towards Turkey and the dismantling of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. The movement sought to address the grievances of Turkey and promote Hindu-Muslim unity. The movement ended in 1922 after the conclusion of the non-cooperation movement.

The Khilafat Movement was launched against the backdrop of the socio-economic impacts of the First World War, the draconian Rowlatt Act, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, and the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.

• Impacts of the First World War: Post World War I, Indian commodity prices increased, affecting ordinary people and industries. An increase in import volumes led to a decline in production and factory closures. This led to a rise in inflation. Peasants faced increased rents and taxes, causing alarm in the country's economic situation. Nationalists, disillusioned by the British failure to deliver goods and services at appropriate prices, found their anti-British attitude strengthened.
• Rowlatt Act: Fearing the potential revolutionary activities, the British came up with the Rowlatt Act of 1919, which allowed the Government to imprison people even without trial. This led to a significant political awakening and anger in India, with Gandhi opposing it through the Rowlatt Satyagraha, resulting in hartals and demonstrations.
• Jallianwala Bagh massacre: During the protests of Indians against the arrest of Satyapal Singh and Saifuddin Kitchlew, Amritsar witnessed the naked brutality of Imperial power when General Dyer ordered his troops to fire upon the unarmed crowd gathered at Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919. Despite the fact that thousands were killed, the Hunter Commission gave General Dyer almost a clean chit, which angered Indian nationalists.
• Mont-Ford Reforms: To placate the Indian nationalists, especially Congress, the Government of India Act of 1919 was brought to the public. However, it further disillusioned nationalists, causing a potential popular uprising against the British Government.

Causes of the Khilafat Movement

The Khilafat Movement was a significant phase in India's freedom struggle. The movement marked the first significant political unification between Hindus and Muslims in opposition to British rule. Initiated to defend the Ottoman Caliphate, the movement became a symbol of Muslim solidarity and a vehicle for Indian nationalism, merging religious and political aims under one cause. There were several reasons for the movement.

• The leading cause was the fear of the disappearance of Khilafat or the Islamic Caliphate. The Caliph was the Khalifa or the leader of the global Muslim community. After World War 1, the Allies planned to dissolve the Ottoman Empire and Turkey. This worried Indian Muslims as they feared the end of Khilafat. It would impact the pan-Islamic unity and brotherhood.
• Indian Muslims were concerned about the fate of the holy cities of Mecca and Madina. These sites were under the control of the Ottoman Empire. If Turkey lost power, they feared non-Muslims would control the sacred cities. This worried the religious sentiments of Indian Muslims.
• Gandhi's support gave the movement a significant boost. Gandhi saw an opportunity to form a Hindu-Muslim alliance against the British. He linked the Khilafat issue with India's freedom struggle. His participation brought more people into the movement and gave it mass appeal.
• The Jihad declaration by the Ottoman Caliph further intensified the movement. The Caliph called on all Muslims to wage jihad against the Christian nations. This directly appealed to the religious sentiments of Indian Muslims.
• In summary, the Khilafat movement started due to the fear of Muslims in India that the end of the Ottoman Empire would negatively impact Islam as a religion. The feelings of betrayal by the British and the extreme views of Muslim leaders further fueled the movement. Gandhi's support and the Jihad call by the Ottoman Caliph turned it into a mass protest that shook the British. 

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Rise and Spread Of The Khilafat Movement In India

The movement started in Gujarat under Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali. They held public meetings to spread awareness about threats to Khilafat. Their speeches appealed to Muslims' religious sentiments and aroused anger against the British. Many Muslims joined.

• The Ali brothers traveled extensively to Delhi, Lucknow, Allahabad, and Bombay. Their speeches focused on pan-Islamic unity and the religious duty to protect Khilafat. This resonated with Muslims and attracted more supporters.
• Gandhi linked Khilafat with India's freedom struggle. He declared non-cooperation as the means to fight for both. His participation galvanized the movement and attracted Indians of all religions.
• Gandhi organized a Khilafat delegation to demand Muslim rights from the British. This increased the movement's prominence and forced the British to take notice. Gandhi's civil disobedience and non-cooperation provided Muslims with a structure to participate in protests.
• The Khilafat Committee expanded the movement's reach. It established branches across India to mobilize Muslims at the grassroots. It organized strikes, hartals, and protests involving lakhs of people. This brought international attention to Khilafat.
• The use of effective nonviolent tactics like hartals and picketing helped spread rapidly. Gandhi's slogan of non-violence appealed to Indian Muslims and made the movement acceptable to wider Indian society. This helped overcome initial suspicions and attract more supporters.
• The Ali brothers' speeches, Gandhi's support, the Khilafat Committee's organization, and the use of nonviolent protest helped attract lakhs of supporters. Despite internal challenges, the movement shook the British and highlighted Hindu-Muslim unity in India's freedom struggle.
• In short, the Khilafat movement spread across India with committed leadership, Gandhi's support, organizational structure, appeals to religious sentiments, and the use of nonviolent protest. It mobilized lakhs of Indian Muslims and posed a significant challenge to the British. Though short-lived, it exemplified the potential for Hindu-Muslim unity in India's independence movement. With simple yet effective strategies, the movement spread its message widely and rapidly during its short lifespan.

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Course of the Khilafat Movement

In order to put pressure on the British Government, to address the injustices of the Punjab wrongs, and to defend Khalifa's temporal powers, the Khilafat movement was established in 1919 under the leadership of Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali (commonly referred to as the Ali brothers), Abul Kalam Azad, Hasrat Mohani, and others.

• Khilafat Committee: A Khilafat Committee was established in Bombay at the start of 1919. Muslim business people took the lead, but their efforts were limited to Khalifa-supporting meetings, petitions, and delegations. However, a militant trend within the movement soon started to emerge. A moderate approach did not satisfy the militant trend's leaders. Instead, they advocated for the start of a national movement.

• Delhi Khilafat Conference: The conference presided over by Gandhi advocated, for the first time, at the All India Khilafat Conference in Delhi (22-23 November 1919) non-cooperation with the British Government in India. Hasrat Mohani called for a boycott of British goods during this conference.
• Non-cooperation with the Government: The Khilafat leadership made it very clear that they would cease all cooperation with the Government if the terms of the post-war peace were unfavorable to Muslims. Shaukat Ali alerted the British in April 1920 that if they failed in appeasing the Indian Muslims, "we would start a joint Hindu-Muslim movement of non-cooperation." In addition, Shaukat Ali emphasized the fact that Mahatma Gandhi, who both Muslims and Hindus respect, would serve as the movement's leader.
• Gandhi and the issue of Hindu-Muslim unity: The Khilafat issue was not directly linked with politics in India, but the Khilafat leaders were eager to enlist the support of Hindus. Gandhi saw this as a chance to unite Hindus and Muslims in opposition to the British. Until May 1920, Gandhi adopted a moderate stance despite his support for the Khilafat issue and his role as the head of the All India Khilafat Committee. However, the publication of the terms of the "Treaty of Sevres" and the Publication of the "Hunter Committee Report" on the 'Jallianwala Bagh Massacre' in May 1920 made Indians angry. It led Gandhi to take the Khilafat issue openly.
• Program of non-cooperation: From June 1–3, 1920, the Central Khilafat Committee met in Allahabad. Several leaders from the Congress and Khilafat were present at the meeting. A non-cooperation program with the Government was announced at this meeting. This was to include:

• boycott of titles conferred by the Government,
• boycott of civil services, army, and police, that is, all government jobs
• non-payment of taxes to the Government.
• Support from Congress: Despite Gandhi's support on the Khilafat issue, Congress was initially divided. Later, Congress felt that it was an excellent chance to unite Muslims and Hindus and strengthen Muslim involvement in further national movements. In turn, the Muslim League decided to support Congress and its political agitation to the fullest potential.
• Merger with Non-cooperation Movement: The Khilafat Movement eventually merged with Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement.

Consequences of the Khilafat Movement

The Khilafat movement (1919–22) was a political campaign launched by Indian Muslims in British India over British policy against Turkey and the planned dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire after World War I by Allied forces. The Khilafat Movement had essential consequences for India.

• The Khilafat Movement united Hindus and Muslims. Before this movement, Hindus and Muslims did not cooperate much with each other. Hindus supported the Muslims in this movement. This helped reduce communal tensions for some time.
• It strengthened the Indian National Congress. The movement attracted large numbers of Muslims to Congress for the first time. Prominent Muslim leaders like Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali joined the Congress during this time. This gave Congress a more pan-India character.
• The movement led to the Moplah rebellion. When the British Government did not support the Khilafat Movement, some Muslims in Kerala revolted violently against the Government. This Moplah rebellion of 1921 was suppressed brutally by the British. It showed the problems of aligning religion with politics.
• It reduced the influence of secular Muslim leaders. The movement encouraged Muslim communalism and sidelined the secular Muslim leaders in Congress. Leaders like Maulana Azad, who wanted Hindu-Muslim unity, lost influence.
• It ended Gandhi's relationship with the Muslim League. Gandhi tried his best to unite the Khilafat leaders with the Muslim League but failed. After this movement, the League emerged as a powerful Muslim communal organization focused on separate electorates and homelands for Muslims.
• It increased communal tensions over time. When the Khilafat Movement failed, Muslims distrusted the Congress. And Hindus blamed Muslims for the movement's failure. This increased mutual suspicion between the communities.
• The movement radicalized young Muslims. The brutal suppression of the Moplah rebellion and the Khilafat Movement's failure led to feelings of helplessness and victimhood among some Muslim youth. This radicalized some and pushed them towards Islamic movements.
• It weakened the concept of Indian nationalism. The movement showed that religion still had a strong pull over Indians, especially Muslims. It proved that Indian nationalism had not fully transcended communal identities.
• Many Muslims felt betrayed. When the movement failed, many Muslims felt that Hindus had let them down. Muslims then focused on securing political safeguards for themselves, which widened the Hindu-Muslim divide.

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Significance of the Khilafat Movement

The Khilafat Movement was a major political and religious campaign by Indian Muslims in the early 20th century to protect the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. It also united Hindu-Muslim efforts against British rule in India. The Khilafat Movement holds significance in Indian history. 

• It showcased the political consciousness and unity of Indian Muslims in their support for a cause beyond their immediate national interests. 
• It fostered Hindu-Muslim unity and cooperation. It promoted a sense of solidarity against British colonial rule. 
• The movement had an alliance with the Indian National Congress under Mahatma Gandhi's leadership. This demonstrated the convergence of different religious and political groups in the struggle for independence.

Important leaders of the Khilafat Movement 

The Khilafat Movement started in India in 1919 after the defeat of the Turkish Sultan in World War 1. The movement aimed to save the institution of the Islamic Caliphate and protect the religious rights of Indian Muslims. Several men and women leaders played essential roles in the movement.

• Though the Khilafat Movement was merged and subsumed under the larger movement, the Non-cooperation Movement and the issue of Khilafat itself were diluted due to the political reforms of Mustafa Kamal Pasha in Turkey. It still holds importance on a number of fronts.
• Urban Muslims were attracted to the Indian national movement.
• Hindu-Muslim unity was strengthened, and this was reflected in the extent of participation in the Non-cooperation Movement.
• Nationalist sentiments politicized every segment of the population, including women, traders, urban poor, students, peasants, artisans, and peasants.
• Congress, especially Gandhi, attracted many liberal Muslim leaders to the secular nature of the Indian freedom movement.
• Maulana Shaukat Ali's wife, Begum Shaista Ikramullah, was an active member of the movement, especially championing the cause of Muslim women. She made speeches to encourage Muslim women to participate in protests. She argued that women also had religious rights and religious rights to protect by joining the movement.
• Noor Jehan, a prominent singer and movie actress from Lahore, joined the movement to raise awareness through her cultural influence. She made patriotic songs to generate pro-Khilafat and anti-British sentiments among the masses.
• Ashraf Jahan from Delhi became famous as the "Mirrawa of Khilafat." She traveled across towns to give speeches and encouraged women to actively take part by joining protest marches and rallies.
• Abdul Bari, a scholar and educationist from Bihar, used his goodwill to mobilize Muslim students and teachers to participate in the demonstrations. He played a leading role in organizing meetings and protest marches in Bihar.
• Zahoor Ahmad, from Punjab, led the Khilafat delegation that went to London in 1921 to meet British leaders. He forcefully argued the case of Khilafat and Indian Muslims with British officials to press for their demands.

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Issues With the Khilafat Movement

The Khilafat issue played a pivotal role in fostering a radical nationalist sentiment among the younger generation of Muslims and traditional scholars critical of British rule. Their discontent stemmed from the mistreatment of Turkey by the British post-World War I. Muslims globally, considering the Sultan of Turkey as their religious head (Khalifa), were deeply upset by Turkey's dismemberment and the removal of the Khalifa from power.

In India, Muslims united in demanding:

• Retention of Khalifa's control over Muslim sacred places.
• Adequate territories for the Khalifa after territorial arrangements.
• In early 1919, the Ali brothers (Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali), Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan, and Hasrat Mohani formed the Khilafat Committee, aiming to compel the British Government to reconsider its stance on Turkey. This laid the foundation for a nationwide agitation.

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Conclusion

The Khilafat Movement saw the emergence of inspiring leaders like the Ali brothers, Maulana Azad, Maulana Hasrat Mohani, and many others, both men and women. Their collective appeals on religious, political, and social grounds were able to unite Muslims across regions in British India behind the cause of Khilafat.

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