Lecture 6: The Khilafat Movement
1. What was the Khilafat Movement?
The Khilafat Movement was a religious and political campaign started by the Indian
Muslims. Its purpose was to protect the Ottoman Caliphate (Khilafat) and to stop the
control of Muslim holy places from being handed over to non-Muslims after World War
I.
2. Background of the Movement
During World War I, Turkey (the center of the Khilafat) supported Germany and
started losing the war.
Indian Muslims were worried about the future of the Caliphate and considered it
their religious duty to support it.
They believed the Caliphate symbolized the unity of the Muslim world (Ummah).
This created strong emotional and religious support for the Khilafat in India
between 1919 to 1922.
3. Goals of the Khilafat Movement
1. The Ottoman Caliphate should remain intact.
2. Turkey’s territorial integrity should be preserved.
3. Control of Muslim holy places (like Makkah and Madinah) must not go to non-
Muslims.
4. Role of Muslim Intellectuals and Journalists
Muslim scholars and writers wrote articles and books in support of the Caliphate.
Newspapers like:
o Zamindar by Zafar Ali Khan
o Comrade and Hamdard by Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar
o Al-Hilal by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad played a key role in spreading the
message and encouraging support for the movement.
5. All India Khilafat Committee (July 1919)
Formed in Bombay.
Organized protests and conferences.
The first Khilafat Conference was held in Delhi in November 1919.
Congress leaders like Gandhi and Nehru participated, showing Hindu-Muslim
unity.
6. Decisions Taken in Khilafat Conferences
No participation in British victory celebrations.
Boycott of British goods.
Non-cooperation with the British government.
7. Second Khilafat Conference (December 1919, Amritsar)
Maulana Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali participated after being released from
prison.
In January 1920, Maulana Jauhar went to Europe, and M. A. Ansari met the
Viceroy of India to plead the Muslim case.
In May 1920, the Khilafat Committee decided to officially start the non-
cooperation movement with Congress.
8. Important Related Events
Rowlatt Act (1919)
A harsh law that allowed the British to arrest anyone without trial.
No right to legal help or appeal.
Jinnah resigned from the legislative council in protest.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (April 1919)
British troops under General Dyer opened fire on peaceful protesters in Amritsar.
About 379 people were killed.
In 1940, a man named ‘Ram Muhammad Singh Azad’ killed Governor Michael
O’ Dwyer in revenge.
9. Congress Joins Non-Cooperation (Nagpur Session – December 1920)
Congress officially supported non-cooperation.
Jinnah opposed this and left Congress because he did not believe in breaking the
law or using non-constitutional methods.
10. Non-Cooperation Movement Actions
Return of government titles and awards.
Boycott of British courts and schools.
Resignation from government jobs.
Refusal to pay taxes.
Some also left police and army jobs.
11. Khilafat Conference, Karachi (July 1921)
Expressed full support for the Turkish Sultan.
Supported Attaturk’s efforts to remove foreign powers from Turkey.
12. Hijrat Movement (Migration Movement) 1920-21
Some religious scholars (Ulama) declared India as Darul Harb (land where
Muslims are not free).
They advised Muslims to migrate to Darul Islam (Islamic country), especially
Afghanistan.
Many migrated, thinking the King of Afghanistan would welcome them.
However, Afghans later closed the border and many migrants suffered or died.
Some migrated further to the Soviet Union.
13. Moplah Revolt (August 1921)
Happened in Malabar (South India) by Moplah Muslims (descendants of Arab
traders).
They revolted against Hindu landlords due to harsh treatment.
The conflict became violent and worsened Hindu-Muslim relations.
14. Chauri Chaura Incident (February 1922)
Congress volunteers set fire to a police station in UP.
21 policemen were killed.
Gandhi immediately stopped the non-cooperation movement due to this violence.
15. Developments in Turkey
Mustafa Kamal Attaturk emerged as a new Turkish leader.
He limited the powers of the Sultan.
In 1924, the Turkish Grand National Assembly officially abolished the Caliphate.
Indian Muslims were deeply disappointed.
Delegations were sent to Turkey, but they failed to restore the Khilafat.
16. Consequences of the Movement
Positive:
Showed that Islam is a powerful force to unite people.
Revived the political spirit among Indian Muslims.
Encouraged Muslims to act as a separate nation.
Boosted Muslim League and other Muslim organizations.
Negative:
The movement failed to save the Khilafat.
Muslims suffered economic and emotional losses (especially due to Hijrat).
Hindu-Muslim unity ended quickly after the movement.
