Pakistan Studies — URCP-5106
Simple Notes for 5-Mark Questions | Khilafat Movement to Early Problems of Pakistan
1. Khilafat Movement (1919–1924)
Introduction:
Khilafat Movement was a very important political movement launched by the Muslims of the
Sub-continent. After World War I, the Muslims of India were very upset because British had broken
their promise regarding Turkey. This movement was started to pressurize British to keep their
promise.
Two Main Reasons Behind the Movement:
• Protection of the Ottoman Empire and the institution of Caliphate (Khilafat).
• To unite all Muslims of the world under one Caliph, just like in the early days of Islam, by
re-establishing the system of Caliphate.
Background — Why Did It Start?
World War I started in 1914. Britain and Germany were on opposite sides. Turkey was a very
important ally of Germany, and Turkey was also the seat of the Caliphate of Muslims. The word
'Caliph' means 'successor' or 'representative.' British asked Indians to fight against Germany in the
war. Muslims refused to fight against Turkey because Turkey was a Muslim country. To convince
Indians, British promised that after the war, Turkey would NOT be treated harshly and would be left
alone.
On this promise, Indians — both Muslims and Hindus — agreed to support British in the war.
British Broke Their Promise — Muslims Felt Cheated:
• Armistice of Mudros (October 30, 1918): After WWI ended, Turkey was forced to accept defeat.
Turkey had to surrender Hejaz, Yemen, Syria, Mesopotamia and other areas. This was a clear
sign that British were not keeping their promise.
• Treaty of Sevres (August 10, 1920): This treaty completely broke the Ottoman Empire. Turkey
was reduced to only the city of Istanbul and a small surrounding area. Muslims of India were
shocked and felt betrayed by British.
Full Movement Launched:
When early protests did not work, prominent leaders like Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Maulana
Shaukat Ali Jauhar, and Abul Kalam Azad launched a full-scale movement in 1919 to pressurize
British. The movement also had a wider goal of uniting all Muslims of the world against anti-Muslim
forces.
Why Was the Movement Weak From the Start?
• The main goal of the movement was to restore the Caliphate in Turkey. But surprisingly, the
people of Turkey themselves did NOT want the Caliphate. They wanted to abolish it and make
Turkey a modern republic under Kamal Ataturk. So the demand to restore Caliphate from outside
became very weak.
, • The idea of uniting all Muslims of the world under one Caliph was also very idealistic and
impractical. The Muslim world had many different cultures and people, and they could not agree
on one leader.
2. Reasons for Failure of Khilafat Movement
a) Hijrat Movement 1920:
In 1920, some religious leaders and leaders of the Khilafat Movement declared that the Indian
Sub-continent was a 'Dar-ul-Harb' — meaning a place where Muslims cannot live according to
Islamic teachings. They asked Muslims to migrate to Afghanistan, the nearest 'Dar-ul-Islam' (land of
Islam). Around 20,000 Muslims from Sindh, Punjab, and NWFP sold all their belongings and migrated
to Afghanistan. But when they reached there, the Afghan government refused to accept them and
turned them back. Many of them died on the journey back. Those who returned found it very hard to
restart their lives. This was a complete failure and the people lost trust in the leadership of the Khilafat
Movement.
b) Chaura Chauri Incident 1922:
In 1920, the leaders of the Khilafat Movement decided to join the Non-Cooperation Movement under
the guidance of Gandhi. The movement grew and British started arresting the leaders. Over time the
movement became more violent due to frustration. In 1922, an angry mob set fire to a police station in
Chaura Chauri, and 22 police officers were killed in this incident.
When Gandhi heard this news, he immediately withdrew his support from the movement. He believed
in the principle of 'Ahinsa' (non-violence) and said he could not be part of a violent movement. After
Gandhi left, all the Hindus who were supporting the movement also left. Now only Muslims were
supporting it, so the movement became very weak.
c) Proclamation of Republic in Turkey 1924:
Since the end of WWI, a democratic movement was growing inside Turkey. Kamal Ataturk led a
movement to abolish the Caliphate and establish a modern republic. The last Caliph had signed a
very humiliating peace treaty with the victorious powers, which made him very unpopular. Finally in
1924, Kamal Ataturk successfully abolished the Caliphate and declared Turkey a Republic. When the
people of Turkey themselves removed the Caliphate, the demand to restore it from other countries
made absolutely no sense. This ended the Khilafat Movement completely.
3. Montague Chelmsford Reforms / Act of India 1919
Introduction:
Immediately after World War I, British brought a new constitution for India known as Montague
Chelmsford Reforms or Act of India 1919. British claimed it gave more power and opportunity to
Indians. However in reality, most of the important powers were still in the hands of British. Both
Congress and Muslim League rejected these reforms.
Important Features of These Reforms:
• The Central Legislature was divided into two houses: Council of State (60 members) and
Legislative Assembly (144 members).
Simple Notes for 5-Mark Questions | Khilafat Movement to Early Problems of Pakistan
1. Khilafat Movement (1919–1924)
Introduction:
Khilafat Movement was a very important political movement launched by the Muslims of the
Sub-continent. After World War I, the Muslims of India were very upset because British had broken
their promise regarding Turkey. This movement was started to pressurize British to keep their
promise.
Two Main Reasons Behind the Movement:
• Protection of the Ottoman Empire and the institution of Caliphate (Khilafat).
• To unite all Muslims of the world under one Caliph, just like in the early days of Islam, by
re-establishing the system of Caliphate.
Background — Why Did It Start?
World War I started in 1914. Britain and Germany were on opposite sides. Turkey was a very
important ally of Germany, and Turkey was also the seat of the Caliphate of Muslims. The word
'Caliph' means 'successor' or 'representative.' British asked Indians to fight against Germany in the
war. Muslims refused to fight against Turkey because Turkey was a Muslim country. To convince
Indians, British promised that after the war, Turkey would NOT be treated harshly and would be left
alone.
On this promise, Indians — both Muslims and Hindus — agreed to support British in the war.
British Broke Their Promise — Muslims Felt Cheated:
• Armistice of Mudros (October 30, 1918): After WWI ended, Turkey was forced to accept defeat.
Turkey had to surrender Hejaz, Yemen, Syria, Mesopotamia and other areas. This was a clear
sign that British were not keeping their promise.
• Treaty of Sevres (August 10, 1920): This treaty completely broke the Ottoman Empire. Turkey
was reduced to only the city of Istanbul and a small surrounding area. Muslims of India were
shocked and felt betrayed by British.
Full Movement Launched:
When early protests did not work, prominent leaders like Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Maulana
Shaukat Ali Jauhar, and Abul Kalam Azad launched a full-scale movement in 1919 to pressurize
British. The movement also had a wider goal of uniting all Muslims of the world against anti-Muslim
forces.
Why Was the Movement Weak From the Start?
• The main goal of the movement was to restore the Caliphate in Turkey. But surprisingly, the
people of Turkey themselves did NOT want the Caliphate. They wanted to abolish it and make
Turkey a modern republic under Kamal Ataturk. So the demand to restore Caliphate from outside
became very weak.
, • The idea of uniting all Muslims of the world under one Caliph was also very idealistic and
impractical. The Muslim world had many different cultures and people, and they could not agree
on one leader.
2. Reasons for Failure of Khilafat Movement
a) Hijrat Movement 1920:
In 1920, some religious leaders and leaders of the Khilafat Movement declared that the Indian
Sub-continent was a 'Dar-ul-Harb' — meaning a place where Muslims cannot live according to
Islamic teachings. They asked Muslims to migrate to Afghanistan, the nearest 'Dar-ul-Islam' (land of
Islam). Around 20,000 Muslims from Sindh, Punjab, and NWFP sold all their belongings and migrated
to Afghanistan. But when they reached there, the Afghan government refused to accept them and
turned them back. Many of them died on the journey back. Those who returned found it very hard to
restart their lives. This was a complete failure and the people lost trust in the leadership of the Khilafat
Movement.
b) Chaura Chauri Incident 1922:
In 1920, the leaders of the Khilafat Movement decided to join the Non-Cooperation Movement under
the guidance of Gandhi. The movement grew and British started arresting the leaders. Over time the
movement became more violent due to frustration. In 1922, an angry mob set fire to a police station in
Chaura Chauri, and 22 police officers were killed in this incident.
When Gandhi heard this news, he immediately withdrew his support from the movement. He believed
in the principle of 'Ahinsa' (non-violence) and said he could not be part of a violent movement. After
Gandhi left, all the Hindus who were supporting the movement also left. Now only Muslims were
supporting it, so the movement became very weak.
c) Proclamation of Republic in Turkey 1924:
Since the end of WWI, a democratic movement was growing inside Turkey. Kamal Ataturk led a
movement to abolish the Caliphate and establish a modern republic. The last Caliph had signed a
very humiliating peace treaty with the victorious powers, which made him very unpopular. Finally in
1924, Kamal Ataturk successfully abolished the Caliphate and declared Turkey a Republic. When the
people of Turkey themselves removed the Caliphate, the demand to restore it from other countries
made absolutely no sense. This ended the Khilafat Movement completely.
3. Montague Chelmsford Reforms / Act of India 1919
Introduction:
Immediately after World War I, British brought a new constitution for India known as Montague
Chelmsford Reforms or Act of India 1919. British claimed it gave more power and opportunity to
Indians. However in reality, most of the important powers were still in the hands of British. Both
Congress and Muslim League rejected these reforms.
Important Features of These Reforms:
• The Central Legislature was divided into two houses: Council of State (60 members) and
Legislative Assembly (144 members).
