Khilafat Movement

Khilafat Movement

Name: Khansa Aamir

Reg. no.: FA22-BCS-090
Section: B
Department: Computer Science
Assignment no.: 01
Course Title: Pakistan Studies
Submitted to: Omer Azam
Submission Date: 30-10-2023
 Khilafat Movement

Background
The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) was a significant event in the political history of
India. It was an agitation by Indian Muslims allied with Indian nationalism in the years
following World War I. Its purpose was to pressurize the British government to preserve
the authority of the Ottoman Sultan as Caliph of Islam following the breakup of the
Ottoman Empire at the end of the war. Congress fully supported the movement in the
leadership of Gandhi; and in December 1919 both the Khilafat Committee and Congress
held their meetings simultaneously at Amritsar, and a delegation was prepared which was
sent to England to see the British Prime Minister and to explain the Indian point of view
regarding the Khilafat. That was the best presentation of Hindu-Muslim unity in India.

Questions
1. Why Khilafat Movement failed and what was the role of Congress in its failure?

Answer
The Khilafat Movement encountered numerous difficulties and finally fell short for several
reasons:

 Elimination of the Khilafat

The movement's main objective was to maintain the Ottoman Sultan's position as the Islamic
Caliph. However, when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk banned the Khilafat in Turkey in 1924, this
goal was seriously compromised. The Khilafat Movement's attempts to protect the symbolic
leadership were mainly unsuccessful because of Ataturk's action, which eliminated it.

 Internal Conflicts

The movement's leaders also experienced internal conflicts and disagreements. Some leaders
became disillusioned once the Khilafat was abolished, which caused the movement to lose its
cohesion.

 Hijrat Movement

During the Hijrat Movement, India was declared Darul-Harab, causing some Muslims to
move from India to Afghanistan, although they were not allowed to cross the border. The
Khilafat Movement was further undermined by this migration and events that followed.

 Gandhi's Intervention
 Khilafat Movement

When violence broke out, notably following the Chora Churi episode where police constables
were killed, Mahatma Gandhi, who had initially supported the Khilafat Movement, withdrew
his support. Gandhi's decision to put the movement on hold had a big impact because his
leadership was crucial in getting the people involved.

 Goals Unachieved

The Khilafat Movement failed to accomplish its main objectives of defending Turkey's
sacred sites, reclaiming its former territory, and revitalizing the Ottoman Empire. Turkey
suffered unfavorable conditions because of the Treaty of Sevres in 1920, which resulted in
territory losses.

The role of Congress in its defeat can be related to its involvement with the Khilafat
Movement, which linked the broader Indian nationalist movement with the religious cause of
the Khilafat. Gandhi chose to put an end to the movement when violence broke out in order
to maintain order and nonviolence inside the nationalist cause. While this suspension was put
in place to put an end to additional chaos, it also encouraged the demise of the Khilafat
Movement.

Question

2. How Khilafat Movement proved that Hindus and Muslims were two different nations
as they could not continue the unity, and ultimately paved the way for Pakistan
movement?

Answer
The Khilafat Movement significantly influenced how Hindus and Muslims were perceived,
ultimately contributing to the notion that Hindus and Muslims were two distinct nations.
Here's what transpired:

 Unity during the Movement

At first, the Khilafat Movement was viewed as an example of Hindu-Muslim harmony as

both groups banded together to defend the Ottoman Caliphate. Gandhi led Congress, which
enthusiastically backed the Khilafat Movement.

 Failure of Unity

The movement experienced internal conflicts and violence, which Gandhi used as an excuse
to put the movement on hold. The Khilafat Movement's failure after this suspension and its
 Khilafat Movement

second suspension underlined the difficulties in preserving Hindu-Muslim harmony amid

conflict and bloodshed.

 Separate Identity

Events like the partition of Bengal in 1905 and the Khilafat Movement's failure to maintain
unity had an impact on certain Indian Muslims' perceptions. They began to think that
Muslims and Hindus had different interests, identities, and political objectives.

 Paved the way for the Pakistan Movement

The Pakistan Movement was founded on the developing perception of distinct identities and
interests. It ultimately resulted in the desire for a distinct country with a majority of
Muslims, which led to the founding of Pakistan in 1947.

In conclusion, the Khilafat Movement, which at first demonstrated Hindu-Muslim unity, later
contributed to the idea that Hindus and Muslims were two distinct nations with different
political aspirations due to several factors, including its failure and the shifting political
landscape.