Indian Freedom Struggle: Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements

Mass Movements in India (1919-1922)

• Two mass movements were organized to oppose British rule in India: Khilafat Movement and Non-Cooperation Movement
• Both movements adopted a unified plan of action of non-violence and non-cooperation
• This period saw the unification of Congress and the Muslim League, with joint political demonstrations

Causes of the Movements

• Government Hostilities:
  • Rowlatt Act, imposition of martial law in Punjab, and Jallianwalla Bagh massacre exposed the brutal face of British rule
  • Hunter Commission's investigation into Punjab atrocities was ineffective
  • House of Lords endorsed General Dyer's actions
• Discontented Indians:
  • Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms failed to satisfy the demand for self-government
• Economic Hardships:
  • Post-War economic situation was alarming, with rising prices, decreased production, and increased taxes and rents
  • Economic hardship strengthened anti-British sentiment across all sections of society

Khilafat (Caliphate) Issue

• Turkey's Alliance against British:
  • Sultan of Turkey was regarded as the spiritual leader (Khalifa) by Muslims worldwide, including in India
  • Turkey allied with Germany and Austria against the British during World War I
• Discontented Indian Muslims:
  • Indian Muslims supported the government during World War I, expecting the Ottoman Empire's sacred places to remain under Khalifa's control
  • After the war, the Ottoman Empire was divided, Turkey was dismembered, and the Khalifa was removed from power
  • This angered Indian Muslims, who saw it as an insult to the Khalifa

Khilafat Movement

• Khilafat Committee:
  • Formed in early 1919 under the leadership of the Ali brothers, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Ajmal Khan, and Hasrat Mohani
  • Aims to force the British Government to change its attitude towards Turkey
• Demands of Indian Muslims:
  • Khalifa's control over Muslim sacred places should be retained
  • Khalifa should be left with sufficient territories after territorial arrangements
• Congress' Initial Stand:
  • Initially, Congress was not united on supporting the Khilafat movement with Satyagraha and non-cooperation
  • Later, Congress decided to support the movement, recognizing the opportunity to unite Hindus and Muslims and bring Muslim participation in mass movements
  • Muslim League also decided to support the Congress and its agitation on political questions

Non-Cooperation Movement

• Role of Mahatma Gandhi:
  • Began organizing peasants and laborers' protests against atrocities in Kheda, Champaran, and Ahmedabad
  • Non-Cooperation Movement was the beginning of the Gandhian Movement against the British

Test your knowledge of the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation movements, which played a crucial role in India's struggle for freedom from British rule in the early 20th century.