Question

Explain the Khilafat movement with reference to its
 a) Aims
 b) Programme
 c) impact.

Answer 1

Hint: The Khilafat movement was a pan-Islamist political protest also known as the Indian Muslim Movement, it was launched by the Muslims of British India.

Complete answer: 

a) Aims: The khilafat movement was launched by Shaukat Ali, Abdul Kalam Azad and other religious leaders, who wanted to develop Muslim participation on behalf of the caliphate Abdul Hamid II, to protect the Ottoman empire from western attack. 

The Khilafat movement (1919-1924) was an agitation by Indian Muslims allied with Indian nationalism in the years following World War I. Its purpose was to pressure 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.

b) Programme: A religious passion and sympathy were evoked among the Indian Muslims for the Ottoman caliphate.“Khilafat Day’ was observed on October 17, 1919, in India. At the end of 1920, The Khilafat Movement and the Congress Non-Cooperation Movement merged into one nationwide movement, at the end of 1920.

The Khilafatists had formed a three-point programme:

- The Ottoman Caliph should retain his empire

- The Caliph must be provided with sufficient territory so as to enable him to defeat the Islamic faith

- The Arab lands that is Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Palestine must stay under the Muslim rule.

c) Impact: On August 31 1921, The Khilafat Non-Cooperation Movement started as Indians started to resign from government services. In 1921, the Khilafat Committee gave a call to all the Muslims demanding not to join the police and armed forces. The Indians refused to pay taxes to the British Government. Buying and selling of goods and essential items, and schools were put on hold and the popular Ali brothers were arrested on charges of sedition because of this movement.

Note: On different political lines, the Khilafat leadership fragmented and unfortunately, on February 12, 1922, the whole movement was abruptly called off, at Gandhi's insistence, proceeding the news of the Chauri Chaura incident.