The Khilafat Movement

2026 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of these notes, you will be able to:

  1. Understand the origins, aims and main features of the Khilafat Movement
  2. Explain why the Khilafat Movement failed
  3. Describe the reasons for the rise of the Movement
  4. Identify the objectives of the Khilafat Conference, 1918
  5. Explain the Khilafat Conferences and delegations to England, 1919–21, and reasons for their failure
  6. Understand the causes, course and reasons for failure of the Hijrat Movement
  7. Describe Gandhi's role and the Non-Cooperation Movement
  8. Analyze the reasons for the failure of the Khilafat Movement
  9. Evaluate the impact of the Khilafat and Hijrat Movements on Muslims in the subcontinent

1. What Were the Origins, Aims and Main Features of the Khilafat Movement?

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Origins (Background to the Movement)

The Khilafat Movement started in 1919 by Indian Muslims. To understand why it began, you need to know what happened during and after the First World War (1914-1918).

Background:

  • During World War I, the Ottoman Empire (based in Turkey) fought on the side of Germany and Austria against Britain, France and their allies.
  • The Ottoman Empire was defeated in 1918 when the war ended.
  • The Ottoman Sultan (king) was also the Khalifa (Caliph), which means he was considered the spiritual and political leader of Muslims worldwide.
  • Indian Muslims were worried about what would happen to the Ottoman Empire and the Caliphate after the war.

The Treaty of Sevres (1920): After the war, the winning countries planned to break up the Ottoman Empire through the Treaty of Sevres. This treaty planned to:

  • Divide Turkey among the victorious allies
  • Make Arabia independent
  • Give parts of Turkey to the League of Nations and Greece
  • Leave Turkey with only Istanbul in Europe

This harsh treatment shocked Indian Muslims because it threatened to destroy the last Muslim Caliphate in the world.

Aims of the Movement

Indian Muslims started the Khilafat Movement with three main goals:

  1. Protect the boundaries of the Ottoman Empire - They wanted the empire to remain intact and not be divided up by European powers.

  2. Protect Muslim holy places - They wanted to ensure that sacred sites like Makkah, Madina, and Jerusalem (which were in Ottoman territory) would remain under Muslim control and be respected.

  3. Preserve the Caliphate - They insisted that the position of the Khalifa should not be changed or abolished. The Caliphate was the last remaining symbol of Muslim unity and power in the world.

Main Features of the Movement

The Khilafat Movement had several important characteristics:

Religious and Political:

  • It was both a religious movement (to save the Caliphate and holy places) and a political movement (to oppose British policies and gain independence).
  • It united Indian Muslims under a common cause for the first time since 1857.

Hindu-Muslim Unity:

  • The movement initially brought Hindus and Muslims together. Hindu leaders like Gandhi supported the Muslim cause.
  • This cooperation was rare and important in India's struggle for independence.

Mass Participation:

  • Thousands of ordinary Muslims joined the movement, not just political leaders.
  • People held public meetings, protests, and demonstrations across India.

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