khilafat movement

What was the Khilafat Movement?

The Khilafat Movement was a pan-Islamic, political protest campaign launched by Muslims in British India to influence the British Government and to protect the Ottoman Empire after World War I.

When and why did the Khilafat Movement begin?

It began around 1919 in response to the Allied powers' treatment of the Ottoman Caliphate following WWI, particularly concerns about the dismemberment of Turkey and the control over Islamic holy sites.

What were the main objectives of the Khilafat Movement?

The main objectives were:

1. To preserve the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire.
2. To protect the Caliph's position as the spiritual head of Islam.
3. To ensure the safeguarding of Islamic holy places from non-Muslim control.

Who were the key leaders of the Khilafat Movement in India?

Prominent leaders included the Ali brothers (Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali), Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Hakim Ajmal Khan, and Dr. M.A. Ansari. Mahatma Gandhi also supported the movement, viewing it as an opportunity for Hindu-Muslim unity against British rule.