Khilafat Movement: In the aftermath of World War I, escalating discontent among Indians stemmed from the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Rowlatt Act, and the British Empire’s treatment of the Turkish Khalifa. These incidents laid the foundation for a broader mass movement against British rule.
Against this backdrop, the Khilafat issue emerged as a pivotal opportunity for Gandhi to unite Hindus and Muslims in challenging the formidable colonial empire. The Khilafat Movement, coupled with the Non-cooperation Movement, marked the commencement of a new chapter in the Indian national movement, spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi.
Background of the Khilafat Movement
The Khilafat Movement unfolded against a backdrop marked by the socio-economic repercussions of the First World War, the oppressive Rowlatt Act, the horrifying Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, and the introduction of the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
- Impacts of the First World War: In the aftermath of World War I, Indian society grappled with escalating commodity prices, adversely affecting both the general populace and industries. The surge in import volumes resulted in diminished production and factory closures, fueling inflation. Peasants faced heightened rents and taxes, contributing to economic distress. The failure of the British to provide goods and services at reasonable prices intensified the anti-British sentiment among nationalists.
- Rowlatt Act: In response to the perceived threat of revolutionary activities, the British enacted the Rowlatt Act in 1919, granting the government the authority to imprison individuals without trial. This move triggered a significant political awakening, with Gandhi leading opposition through the Rowlatt Satyagraha, sparking widespread hartals and demonstrations.
- Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: The protest against the arrest of Satyapal Singh and Saifuddin Kitchlew culminated in the infamous Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar on April 13, 1919. General Dyer’s ruthless order to fire upon the unarmed crowd shocked the nation. Despite the Hunter Commission’s lenient stance on Dyer’s actions, the incident fueled anger among Indian nationalists.
- Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms: The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, represented by the Government of India Act of 1919, aimed to pacify Indian nationalists, particularly the Congress. However, these reforms fell short of expectations, deepening nationalist disillusionment and contributing to the potential for a popular uprising against the British Government.
Reasons for the Khilafat Movement
In the post-First World War era, Indian Muslims actively embraced Indian nationalism. The Khilafat Movement was primarily fueled by the desire to exert pressure on the British government to preserve the Ottoman Sultan’s role as the Caliph of Islam following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
Treaty of Sevres (1920): The defeat of Turkey in the First World War culminated in the signing of the Treaty of Sevres (1920), an agreement viewed by Muslims worldwide as a profound insult. Post-war, the British removed the Turkish Khalifa from power, prompting Indian Muslims to initiate the Khilafat movement with the aim of reinstating the Khalifa’s authority.
Key Demands: The central demands of the movement included the insistence on maintaining the Khalifa’s control over Muslim holy sites and ensuring the preservation of sufficient territories for the Khalifa in the post-war territorial adjustments.
Anti-Imperialism: Beyond its specific objectives, the Khilafat Movement embodied a broader sentiment of anti-imperialism. Muslims and Hindus in India, disillusioned with British colonial rule, sought to articulate their discontent by aligning with the cause of the Ottoman Empire.
Course of the Khilafat Movement
To exert pressure on the British government, address Punjab wrongs, and defend the Khalifa’s temporal powers, the Khilafat movement was established in 1919 under leaders such as Mohammad Ali, Shaukat Ali (the Ali brothers), Abul Kalam Azad, and Hasrat Mohani.
- Khilafat Committee: The Khilafat Committee was formed in Bombay in early 1919, initially engaging in Khalifa-supporting meetings, petitions, and delegations led by Muslim businessmen. However, a militant trend emerged within the movement, advocating for a more assertive national movement.
- Delhi Khilafat Conference: At the All India Khilafat Conference in Delhi (22-23 November 1919), presided over by Gandhi, the call for non-cooperation with the British Government was endorsed for the first time. Hasrat Mohani emphasized boycotting British goods during this conference.
- Non-Cooperation with the Government: Khilafat leaders declared a halt in cooperation with the government if post-war peace terms were unfavorable to Muslims. Shaukat Ali warned of a joint Hindu-Muslim movement of non-cooperation if Indian Muslims were not appeased, highlighting Gandhi’s potential role as the movement’s leader.
- Gandhi and Hindu-Muslim Unity: Though the Khilafat issue wasn’t initially linked with Indian politics, Khilafat leaders sought Hindu support. Gandhi recognized this as an opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims against the British. After the revelation of the terms of the Treaty of Sevres and the Hunter Committee Report on the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in May 1920, Gandhi openly embraced the Khilafat issue.
- Programme of Non-Cooperation: During the Central Khilafat Committee meeting in Allahabad (June 1–3, 1920), leaders from Congress and Khilafat jointly announced a programme of non-cooperation, including the boycott of government titles, civil services, army and police, and non-payment of taxes.
- Congress and Muslim League Support: Despite initial division, the Congress saw the Khilafat issue as an opportunity to unite Muslims and Hindus. The Muslim League decided to fully support Congress, merging efforts in subsequent national movements.
- Merger with Non-Cooperation Movement: The Khilafat Movement eventually converged with Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, creating a unified front against British rule.
Significance of the Khilafat Movement
Although the Khilafat Movement was assimilated into the broader Non-cooperation Movement, both its essence and the larger movement suffered dilution owing to Mustafa Kamal Pasha’s political reforms in Turkey. Despite this, the Khilafat Movement retains significance on multiple fronts.
Key Impacts:
- Urban Muslim Attraction: The merger of the Khilafat Movement into the Non-cooperation Movement appealed to urban Muslims, drawing them into the Indian national movement.
- Strengthened Hindu-Muslim Unity: The amalgamation fostered stronger Hindu-Muslim unity, evident in increased participation in the Non-cooperation Movement.
- Politicization of Nationalist Sentiments: Nationalist sentiments permeated various segments of society, including women, traders, urban poor, students, and peasants, thus contributing to widespread politicization.
- Influence on Liberal Muslim Leaders: Congress, particularly under Gandhi’s leadership, succeeded in attracting numerous liberal Muslim leaders who were drawn to the secular nature of the Indian freedom movement.
Despite the political reforms in Turkey affecting the Khilafat cause, the movement’s legacy endures through these enduring impacts on Indian society and its collective journey towards independence.
FAQs on the Khilafat Movement
1. What triggered the Khilafat Movement?
The Khilafat Movement arose in the aftermath of World War I, prompted by Turkey’s defeat and the perceived insults of the harsh Treaty of Sevres (1920). The British dismissal of the Turkish Khalifa further fueled Muslim discontent, leading to the initiation of the Khilafat Movement in India.
2. Who was the prominent leader of the Khilafat Movement in India?
Mahatma Gandhi played a central role in leading the Khilafat Movement. Simultaneously advocating for a broader non-cooperation movement, Gandhi supported Khilafat as part of his opposition to the British Empire. The movement also garnered backing from other Congress members.
3. Who were the founders of the Khilafat Movement?
The Khilafat Movement was founded under the leadership of Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, commonly known as the Ali brothers. Other key figures involved in its establishment included Abul Kalam Azad, Hasrat Mohani, and others.
4. Why was the Khilafat Movement initiated?
The Khilafat Movement was founded with the primary objectives of exerting pressure on the British government, addressing the perceived injustices of the Punjab wrongs, and defending the temporal powers of the Khalifa.
5. What was the significance of the Khilafat Movement?
The Khilafat Movement drew urban Muslims into supporting the country, and its impact extended across diverse segments of society. Nationalist sentiments were politicized among women, traders, the urban poor, students, peasants, artisans, and others, contributing to a unified opposition against British rule.
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