What is Khilafat Movement? | Full Guide

The Khilafat Movement was a political and religious movement that emerged in the Indian subcontinent in the early 20th century. The movement aimed to defend the Ottoman Caliphate, which was under threat from Western powers following the First World War.

The Khilafat Movement was initiated by Muslim leaders such as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar, and his brother Maulana Shaukat Ali. The movement gained momentum after the First World War when the Allies declared war on the Ottoman Empire, which was the seat of the Caliphate. Muslims in India were deeply concerned about the fate of the Caliphate, which they saw as the symbolic head of the worldwide Muslim community.

The primary objective of the Khilafat Movement was to protect the Ottoman Caliphate from being dismantled by the Allied powers. The movement called for the restoration of the Caliphate’s power and authority, which had been eroded over the years. The Khilafat leaders hoped that by rallying behind the Caliphate, they would be able to unite the Muslim world and assert their political and religious rights.

The Khilafat Movement had a significant impact on Indian politics and society. It was one of the first mass movements in the Indian subcontinent that united Hindus and Muslims in a common cause. The movement gave a new impetus to the struggle for Indian independence and paved the way for the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920.

The Khilafat Movement was not without its critics. Some nationalist leaders, such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, criticized the movement for its narrow religious focus and for aligning with the Ottoman Caliphate, which they saw as a backward and autocratic regime.

The Khilafat Movement was a significant event in the history of the Indian subcontinent. It brought together Muslims and Hindus in a common cause and gave a new impetus to the struggle for Indian independence. The movement’s emphasis on religious unity and its call for the restoration of the Caliphate’s power and authority continue to resonate with Muslims around the world. However, the movement’s narrow focus on the Caliphate and its alignment with a foreign regime drew criticism from some nationalist leaders. Nonetheless, the Khilafat Movement remains an important chapter in the history of the Indian subcontinent and a testament to the power of political mobilization.

“Khilafat Movement.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2023. https://www.britannica.com/event/Khilafat-Movement.

Ali, M. Athar. “Khilafat Movement.” Oxford Islamic Studies Online. Oxford University Press, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2023. http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t236/e0334.