The Khilafat Movement- Agitation for Ottoman Caliphate’s preservation

The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924)

Historical Background

The Khilafat Movement also known as the Khilafat Agitation unfolded between 1919 and 1924. It was a critical campaign where Indian Muslims, led by figures like Shaukat Ali, Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Abul Kalam Azad fought to preserve the integrity of the Ottoman Empire following its defeat in World War I. This movement was pivotal because the Ottoman Caliph was seen as the spiritual leader of Muslims globally. The Treaty of Sèvres in 1920, which proposed the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire, ignited major concerns among Muslims worldwide about the future of the Caliphate. This issue also drew support from Mahatma Gandhi who recognized it as a chance to unite Hindus and Muslims against British colonial rule.

Causes

1. Decline of the Ottoman Empire: The weakening of this empire once a symbol of Islamic unity worried Indian Muslims. The empire’s loss in the war and the Treaty of Sèvres, which took away its territories, were seen as threats to the Caliphate.
2. British Policies: The British government’s approach towards the Ottoman Empire and their indifference to Muslim feelings caused unhappiness. The severe conditions of the Treaty of Sèvres which dismantled the empire were particularly opposed.
3. Pan-Islamism: This was a time when the idea of a united Muslim community (Ummah) was strong among Indian Muslims. They saw the Caliphate as crucial for global Muslim unity.
4. Economic and Social Distress: Post-World War I, India faced economic problems, inflation and social unrest. These difficult times made it easier for movements like the Khilafat Movement to gain support.

Demands

The Khilafat Movement’s demands focused on saving the Ottoman Caliphate and addressing Indian Muslims’ concerns:

1. Restoration of the Caliphate: The main demand was to bring back the Ottoman Caliphate’s power and territory to how it was before the war.
2. Protection of Holy Places: They wanted to ensure that Islamic holy sites, especially in the Hejaz region (now part of Saudi Arabia), remained under Muslim control.
3. Respect for Muslim Sentiments: The movement’s leaders wanted the British to value Muslim religious feelings and rethink their policies towards the Ottoman Empire.
4. Non-Cooperation with the British: Along with Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, Khilafat leaders asked Indian Muslims to avoid using British products and services as a protest.

Key Figures and Their Roles in the Khilafat Movement

1. Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar
   • Role: Primary Leader
   • Contributions: Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar was a central figure in the Khilafat Movement. He worked closely with his brother, Shaukat Ali, to mobilise Indian Muslims. He utilised his journalism skills to spread the movement’s messages through his publications like the newspaper “Comrade” and the weekly “Hamdard.” His leadership and articulate manner made him a notable voice against British policies.
2. Maulana Shaukat Ali
   • Role: Co-Leader
   • Contributions: As the elder brother of Muhammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali was key in organising mass protests and rallies. He was instrumental in uniting Muslims across India to support the Khilafat cause, playing a vital role in keeping the movement’s momentum and ensuring broad participation.
3. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
   • Role: Intellectual Leader
   • Contributions: Known for his profound speeches and writings, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad significantly shaped the movement’s intellectual direction. His work through the newspaper “Al-Hilal” was crucial in raising awareness and rallying support.
4. Hakim Ajmal Khan
   • Role: Supporter and Organizer
   • Contributions: A prominent supporter, Hakim Ajmal Khan organised numerous protests and was a key figure in the Indian National Congress, which backed the Khilafat movement. His involvement bridged the Khilafat leaders with the broader Indian independence movement.
5. Mahatma Gandhi
   • Role: Supporter and Ally
   • Contributions: Gandhi supported the Khilafat Movement as part of his larger non-cooperation strategy against British rule. His support was crucial for fostering Hindu-Muslim unity during the movement, lending significant weight to the Khilafat cause and integrating it into the greater struggle for independence.
6. Hasrat Mohani
   • Role: Poet and Political Leader
   • Contributions: As a poet and political leader, Hasrat Mohani used his literary skills to inspire and mobilise support for the Khilafat Movement. His poetry and speeches played a key role in disseminating the movement’s message and encouraging active participation.
7. Muhammad Ali Jinnah
   • Role: Initial Supporter
   • Contributions: Early in his political career, Muhammad Ali Jinnah supported the Khilafat Movement, collaborating with leaders to address the concerns of Indian Muslims. His involvement was significant in uniting Muslims against British policies, though he later shifted his focus towards the creation of Pakistan.

Also Check – The Non-Cooperation Movement – Civil disobedience to end British rule

Major Events

Several key events defined the Khilafat Movement and its impact on the struggle for Indian independence:

• Formation of the All-India Khilafat Committee (1919): This committee was set up to lead the movement’s efforts and rally support. It served as the main group for organising protests and communicating demands.
• Khilafat Conferences (1919-1920): These conferences across India helped raise awareness and support for the movement. Leaders and activists gathered to discuss strategies and plan actions.
• Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): The Khilafat Movement joined forces with Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, forming a united front against British rule. This partnership led to extensive boycotts of British goods, institutions and services.
• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919): While not a direct part of the Khilafat Movement, the massacre heightened anti-British feelings and increased support for Khilafat goals. The killing of unarmed civilians by British troops in Amritsar outraged the nation and intensified the call for independence.
• Hijrat Movement (1920): Some Muslims, as part of the Khilafat Movement, chose to migrate to Afghanistan, believing that living under British rule was against their religious values. This migration faced many challenges and hardships.
• Arrest of Khilafat Leaders (1921): British authorities arrested several Khilafat leaders, including Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali, to quell the movement. These arrests triggered widespread protests and deepened the resistance.
• End of the Ottoman Caliphate (1924): The abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1924 marked the conclusion of the Khilafat Movement. With its main goal gone, the movement began to wane.

Also Check – The Rowlatt Satyagraha and its role in India’s Freedom Movement

Hindu-Muslim Unity

The Khilafat Movement was a pivotal time for Hindu-Muslim unity in the Indian struggle for independence:

• Common Cause: Hindus and Muslims united against British colonial rule. Mahatma Gandhi’s support was crucial, as he saw this as a chance to bridge communal divides and strengthen the national movement.
• Joint Protests and Boycotts: Both communities came together in protests, boycotts and non-cooperation activities. This was seen in the widespread boycott of British goods, schools and courts, which both Hindus and Muslims supported.
• Symbolic Gestures: Leaders from both groups made efforts to show unity. Hindu leaders attended Khilafat meetings and Muslim leaders took part in Congress sessions, helping build trust and solidarity between the communities.
• Shared Leadership: Leaders like Gandhi, Motilal Nehru and C. Rajagopalachari from the Hindu community and the Ali brothers and Abul Kalam Azad from the Muslim community, worked together for the Khilafat cause and the broader independence movement.

Response by Authorities

The British authorities had a mixed response to the Khilafat Movement, ranging from repression to attempts at negotiation:

• Repression: The British government used harsh measures to control the movement, including the arrest and imprisonment of key leaders like Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali. They also restricted public gatherings and protests to quell the movement.
• Censorship: There was strict censorship imposed on the media to stop the spread of Khilafat messages. Publications supporting the movement faced bans or heavy censorship.
• Divide and Rule: The British aimed to weaken the movement by exploiting communal differences, highlighting religious disparities and promoting separate electorates to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims.
• Negotiations: Occasionally, British authorities engaged in talks with Khilafat leaders to try to resolve their issues. However, these talks often failed to lead to significant changes, resulting in increased frustration and continued protests.

Impact and Outcomes

The Khilafat Movement had several key impacts and outcomes:

• Strengthening of National Movement: The movement brought together Hindus and Muslims, showcasing a united front against colonial rule. This unity strengthened the broader Indian independence movement.
• Rise of Mass Movements: It marked the beginning of mass mobilisation in Indian politics, demonstrating that large-scale, non-violent protests could effectively challenge colonial authority. This method was later used in the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Temporary Hindu-Muslim Unity: The unity between Hindu and Muslim communities was significant yet temporary. After the movement declined, communal tensions resurfaced, leading to future conflicts.
• Political Awakening: The movement was pivotal in politically awakening Indian Muslims, encouraging their active participation in the national struggle for rights and representation.
• Legacy: Despite its decline, the movement left a lasting impact by highlighting the potential for communal unity and mass mobilisation in the independence struggle. It also emphasised the importance of addressing communal grievances.

Criticism and Decline

Criticism

The Khilafat Movement faced several criticisms that contributed to its decline:

• Religious Basis: The movement was criticised for its focus on religious sentiments, centering on the Ottoman Caliphate, which some argued distracted from more pressing local and broader independence issues.
• Communal Tensions: While promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, the movement’s emphasis on religious identity had the potential to exacerbate communal tensions, risking divisions within the nationalist movement.
• Economic Impact: The non-cooperation aspect led to economic difficulties for those reliant on British goods and services, decreasing support over time.
• Leadership Decisions: Mahatma Gandhi’s decision to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident was seen by some as a betrayal, causing disillusionment.

Decline

Several factors led to the movement’s decline:

• Abolition of the Caliphate: The abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate in 1924 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk removed the movement’s primary objective, causing it to lose momentum.
• Repression by British Authorities: Arrests of leaders, censorship and restrictions weakened the movement’s organisational structure and ability to rally support.
• Internal Divisions: Disagreements and shifting focuses among leaders led to a loss of cohesion and effectiveness within the movement.
• Economic Hardships: Sustained economic difficulties faced by participants in non-cooperation activities led to a decrease in support.
• Shift in Focus: After the caliphate was abolished, many supporters shifted their focus to other political and social issues, contributing to the movement’s decline.

Legacy

The Khilafat Movement left a significant legacy in the Indian independence struggle:

• Hindu-Muslim Unity: It demonstrated the potential for Hindu-Muslim unity against colonial rule. Although this unity was temporary, it showed that communal cooperation was achievable.
• Mass Mobilization: This movement marked the beginning of mass mobilisation in Indian politics, illustrating that large-scale, non-violent protests could effectively oppose colonial rule. These strategies were later utilised in other movements like the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement.
• Political Awakening: The movement was instrumental in the political awakening of Indian Muslims, encouraging them to actively participate in the national struggle and advocate for their rights and representation.
• Influence on Future Movements: The tactics and strategies employed during the Khilafat Movement influenced subsequent independence movements, making non-cooperation and mass protests central to the Indian struggle for freedom.

Other Responses

The Khilafat Movement prompted a variety of responses from different groups and the British authorities:

• Support from Congress: The Indian National Congress, led by Mahatma Gandhi, supported the Khilafat Movement as part of a broader strategy to unite all Indians against British rule.
• Opposition from Some Muslim Leaders: Not all Muslim leaders were in favour of the Khilafat Movement. Figures like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan criticised the movement’s religious basis, arguing that it was unsuitable for a political struggle and could heighten communal tensions.
• British Repression: The British authorities tried to quash the movement through repression, which included the arrest of leaders, censorship of the media and restrictions on public gatherings. These measures were intended to prevent the movement from gaining more support.
• Public Participation: The movement enjoyed widespread public support, with participation from students, women and workers across various regions. This broad-based involvement underscored the movement’s appeal and its capacity to mobilise diverse sections of society.