What was khilafat movement?
Solution
The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) was a political movement launched by Indian Muslims in British India. It arose out of concerns about the future of the Ottoman Empire, the center of the Islamic world at the time, after its defeat in World War I.
Here are the main points of khilafat movement:
- Goal: Protect the Ottoman Caliphate, the symbolic leader of the global Muslim community, from being dismantled by the victorious Allied powers after WWI.
- Leaders: Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Shaukat Ali, Hakim Ajmal Khan, and Abul Kalam Azad were some prominent figures.
- Significance:
- Pan-Islamic Unity: Aimed to unite Indian Muslims under the banner of preserving the Caliphate.
- Alliance with Indian Nationalism: Initially found common ground with Indian nationalists led by Mahatma Gandhi, who saw it as an opportunity to broaden the anti-colonial movement. Gandhi even included non-cooperation in support of the Khilafat movement in his broader strategy.
The movement eventually lost momentum after the formal abolition of the Caliphate in 1924. However, it left a lasting impact on Indian politics by demonstrating the potential for unity between Hindus and Muslims, and also laying the groundwork for future Muslim political movements in India.

