Background
- During World War I, Turkey was an ally of Germany, and when World War I ended Turkey and Germany were defeated.
- The Treaty of Sevres was imposed on Turkey leading to the abolition of the Caliph’s rule in Turkey and the empire was dismantled.
Demands Presented by the Khilafat Movement
- The Khalifa’s sovereignty over the Muslim holy site should be restored.
- Khalifa should be given enough territory to reign over.
Who Led the Movement?
- The movement was organised by Indian Muslims.
- Major leaders participating in the movement included Shaukat Ali, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Hakim Ajmal Khan, and Abul Kalam Azad.
Associated Movements in India
- The Khilafat Committee – It was created in 1919, and its leaders included the Ali Brothers (Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali), Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan, Hasrat Mohani, and Dr Mukhtaar Ahmed Ansari, among others.
- All India Khilafat Conference (1920) – Held in Delhi. Muslim leaders called for non-cooperation.
Gandhi’s Stand on the Issue
- Gandhi supported the Khilafat movement and Gandhi was chosen President of the Khilafat Committee in April 1920. He persuaded Khilafat members to initiate the Non-Cooperation Movement in February 1920.
Government Reaction
- May 1921 – Through Gandhi-Reading negotiations, the British Indian Government attempted to create a schism between Gandhi and Khilafat leaders.
- Viceroy Reading attempted to convince and placate Gandhi during this meeting so that he could urge the Ali Brothers to remove their pro-violence comments. However, the negotiations collapsed.
- By December 1921, the government had reversed its position and implemented harsh repressive measures.
- Congress and the Khilafat Volunteer Corps were declared illegal.
- Congress and Khilafat offices were searched.
- Except for Gandhi, all of the main leaders were imprisoned.