Who were the founders of the Khilafat Movement and where did it start?

The Khilafat Movement was founded by prominent Muslim leaders in India . Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali played a significant role in starting the movement, along with other Muslim leaders. The Indian Muslim leaders launched the movement in Lucknow to preserve the Caliphate’s authority and unity and to rally Indian Muslims to support the Ottoman Caliphate.

What were the main objectives of the Khilafat Movement?

The Khilafat Movement aimed at uniting Indian Muslims against British rule in India , maintaining the Caliphate’s authority and unity, and increasing their political participation. The Ottoman Caliphate’s restoration was another demand of the movement.

Who were the leaders of the Khilafat Movement?

The Khilafat Movement was led by prominent Muslim leaders such as Maulana Muhammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Abul Kalam Azad, Hasrat Mohani, and others. They established the All India Khilafat Committee to coordinate the movement’s activities. Read: Who were the Two Main Leaders of the Khilafat Movement?

What was the impact of the Khilafat Movement on the Indian independence movement?

The Khilafat Movement helped to shape the political awareness of the Indian Muslim community and signaled the start of a new era in the struggle for Indian independence. The founders of the movement later played a significant part in the formation of the All India Muslim League, which developed into a powerful political force in India and was extremely essential in the 1947 founding of Pakistan.

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What was the Khilafat Movement?

Q: What was the Khilafat Movement?

The Khilafat Movement was a political movement led by Indian Muslims during the early 20th century. It emerged in response to the Treaty of Versailles , which marked the end of World War I and resulted in the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire, the Islamic Caliphate’s ruling power. Why Was the Khilafat Movement Launched? Causes of Khilafat Movement

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

The Khilafat Movement was a political movement in India that was launched by the Indian Muslim community in 1919 to protest against the proposed abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate by the Allied Powers after World War I. The movement was led by two prominent Muslim leaders, the Ali Brothers – Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali. The movement was also supported by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress.

Table of content

1. Khilafat Movement
2. Causes of the Khilafat Movement
3. What was the Khilafat Movement?

Khilafat Movement

The Khilafat Movement aimed to unite Muslims in India and worldwide in supporting the Ottoman Caliphate. It was a movement that cut across social, economic, and religious boundaries, as it was not just limited to Muslim religious leaders but also had the support of many Hindu leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi. The movement was a response to the Treaty of Versailles, which abolished the Ottoman Caliphate and placed the region under British and French control.

In 1919, the Khilafat movement began, and it lasted until 1924. The Treaty of Sevres, which divided the Ottoman Empire and dissolved the Caliphate, was signed in August 1920, and it gave the movement an additional boost. Many Indian Muslims who saw the Ottoman Caliph as the spiritual head of the entire Muslim community and believed that the Western powers were undermining his authority backed the campaign.

The Khilafat Movement was not merely concerned with the Caliphate issue. It also aimed to solve other issues that the Indian Muslim minority had, such as the lack of political representation and involvement in the administration of India. In addition to numerous rallies, strikes, and demonstrations around India, there were also isolated incidents of civil disobedience and violence.

Causes of the Khilafat Movement

The Khilafat Movement was an early 20th-century political movement organized by Indian Muslims in response to the Treaty of Versailles, which put an end to World War I and led to the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the dominant force of the Islamic Caliphate. Factors impacting Indian Muslims on a religious and political level were the main forces behind the Khilafat Movement. Some of the causes that led to the Khilafat Movement include:

The End of the Ottoman Caliphate: The end of the Ottoman Empire following World War I marked the end of the Islamic Caliphate, which was a significant event for Muslims worldwide. Indian Muslims, who formed a significant minority in India, were deeply attached to the Caliphate and felt that its authority was being undermined.
Political representation: Indian Muslims were also concerned about their political representation in the Indian National Congress and the British government. They believed that their interests were not being adequately represented and that they needed a separate political platform to voice their concerns.
Non-Cooperation Movement: The Khilafat Movement also grew in the context of the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, which called for the boycott of British goods and institutions. The movement provided Indian Muslims with an opportunity to express their political demands and join the broader Indian Independence movement.
Socio-economic issues: Indian Muslims faced several socio-economic issues, such as poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment. The Khilafat Movement sought to address these issues and improve the condition of Indian Muslims.
Collaboration with the Indian National Congress: The Khilafat Movement leaders collaborated with the Indian National Congress and participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. They believed that a joint struggle with Congress could help achieve their demands and gain independence from British rule.

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