Which of the following were the main objectives of the Khilafat movem...
- Khilafat movement arose in India in the early 20lh century due to Muslim fears for the integrity of Islam. These fears were aroused by Italian (1911) and Balkan (1912-13) attacks on Turkey—whose sultan, as caliph, was the religious head of the worldwide Muslim community—and by Turkish defeats in World War I.
- They were intensified by the Treaty of Sevres (August 1920), which detached all non-Turkish regions from the empire and gave parts of the Turkish homeland to Greece and other non-Muslim powers.
- A campaign in defence of the caliph was launched, led in India by the brothers Shaukat and Muhammad Ali and Abul Kalam Azad. The leaders joined forces with Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation movement for Indian freedom, promising non-violence in return for his support of the Khilafat movement.
- In 1920, the latter movement was marred by the hijrat or exodus from India to Afghanistan of about 18,000 Muslim peasants, who felt that India was an apostate land. It was also tarnished by the Muslim Moplah rebellion in South India (Malabar) in 1921, the excesses of which deeply stirred Hindu India.
- Mahatma Gandhi’s suspension of his movement and his arrest in March 1922 weakened the Khilafat movement. It was further undermined when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk drove the Greeks from western Asia Minor in 1922 and deposed the Turkish sultan in the same year; it finally collapsed when he abolished the caliphate altogether in 1924.
Which of the following were the main objectives of the Khilafat movem...
Main Objectives of the Khilafat Movement:
The Khilafat movement was a significant political and religious movement in India during the early 20th century. It aimed to mobilize Indian Muslims against the British colonial rule and to support the cause of the Ottoman Caliphate. The main objectives of the Khilafat movement are as follows:
1. Raising anti-British feelings among the Muslims of India: One of the primary objectives of the Khilafat movement was to unite Indian Muslims against British colonial rule. The movement sought to channelize the religious sentiments of Muslims to foster a sense of unity and resistance against British oppression. By highlighting the perceived injustices inflicted upon the Ottoman Caliphate, the movement aimed to generate anti-British sentiments among the Muslim population.
2. Reforming Muslim society: The Khilafat movement also aimed to address social and educational issues within the Muslim community. It sought to promote reforms within Muslim society, including the eradication of social evils and the improvement of educational opportunities for Muslims. The movement encouraged Muslims to participate in social and educational initiatives that would uplift their community.
3. Demanding separate electorates and preserving the Khilafat: The Khilafat movement demanded the preservation of the Ottoman Caliphate, which was seen as the spiritual and political leader of the global Muslim community. The movement called for the establishment of separate electorates for Muslims, ensuring their political representation and rights. The preservation of the Khilafat was seen as crucial for the protection of Muslim interests and identity.
4. Saving the Ottoman Empire and preserving the Khilafat: The Khilafat movement also aimed to save the collapsing Ottoman Empire, which faced threats from European powers during World War I. The movement sought to mobilize support for the Ottoman Caliphate and prevent its disintegration. Indian Muslims viewed the Khilafat as a symbol of Muslim unity and the protector of their religious rights.
In conclusion, the main objectives of the Khilafat movement were to raise anti-British sentiments among Indian Muslims, reform Muslim society, demand separate electorates, and preserve the Ottoman Caliphate. The movement played a significant role in mobilizing Muslims against British colonial rule and highlighting the religious and political concerns of the Muslim community.