british policies + others --> khilafat movement.

Question 1

Why did Muslims distrust British policies after the First World War?

Answer 1

• Muslims distrusted British policies, especially after the First World War and the passing of the Rowlatt Act, along with other repressive legislation.
• They believed that the British were deliberately encouraging Muslims to fear Hindus so that Muslims would cooperate more with British rule.
• Muslims were also concerned about British actions in Afghanistan and Persia, where the British paid little attention to Muslim views, and they feared similar neglect in India.

Question 2

Why did Muslims of India highly regard the Caliphate and oppose its abolition?

Answer 2

• Muslims held the Caliphate of Turkey in great esteem and were unwilling to see Turkey broken up or the Caliph abolished.
• During the First World War, the British government had promised that the status of the Caliph would be respected in return for Muslim support in the war.
• However, at the war’s end, this promise was broken when the Turkish Empire was dismantled and the institution of the Caliphate faced abolition, causing deep anger among Muslims.

Question 3

How did the defeat of the Turkish Empire in World War I contribute to the launch of the Khilafat Movement?

Answer 3

• The Turkish Ottoman Empire had joined World War I on Germany’s side and was defeated by Britain and its allies.
• After the war, Britain, France, and the USA seemed determined to overthrow the Caliph and divide Ottoman territories.
• Protecting the Caliph was vital for Muslims, as he symbolized the religious and political unity of all Muslims.
• The disintegration of the Caliphate was seen as a threat to the Muslim Ummah.
• This situation led to the launch of the Khilafat Movement in November 1919 by Muslim leaders like Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali.

Question 4

How did the British treatment of Indian Muslims during World War I fuel support for the Khilafat Movement?

Answer 4

• During World War I, Indians had supported the British against Germany.
• However, when the Turkish Empire joined Germany, Indian Muslims found it difficult to fight against fellow Muslims.
• The British worsened the situation by arresting several prominent Muslim leaders, which offended Muslim sentiments.
• Moreover, despite earlier assurances by the British Prime Minister that Turkey would be protected, the Allies later decided to abolish the Caliphate.
• These betrayals convinced Indian Muslims to launch strong protests against the British, leading to the formation of the Khilafat Movement.

Question 5

How did Gandhi’s involvement and wider Muslim concerns contribute to the spread of the Khilafat Movement?

Answer 5

• Gandhi linked the demand for Swaraj (self-rule) with the Khilafat issue, bringing Hindu support to the Khilafat Movement and turning it into the first countrywide popular movement in India.
• Many Muslims believed that Western powers were waging a global war against Islam to destroy its strength.
• With the Ottoman Empire being the last major symbol of Muslim authority, Indian Muslims were determined to save Islamic political power from extinction through the Khilafat Movement.