When Indian Muslims Defied Britain to Support Turkey

When Indian Muslims Defied Britain to Support Turkey

The Khilafat Movement was a major political and religious movement in India that took place after World War I. It started because Indian Muslims were deeply concerned about the future of the Ottoman Empire and its ruler, the Khalifa (or Caliph), who was not only the political leader of Turkey but also considered the spiritual leader of Muslims worldwide.

Background of the Movement

During World War I (1914-1918), the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) fought on the side of Germany against countries like Britain, France, and their allies. Unfortunately for Turkey, the Ottoman Empire lost the war, and Britain and its allies were discussing how to divide its territories. This included weakening the position of the Khalifa.

For Indian Muslims, this was very worrying. The Khalifa was seen as a symbol of unity for Muslims all around the world, and weakening him meant a threat to the religious and political strength of Islam. This is why the Khilafat Movement began, to defend the position of the Khalifa and protect the Ottoman Empire from being broken up.

Why Did Indian Muslims Support the Khalifa?

Even though the Ottoman Empire had no direct connection to India, Muslims in India felt it was their duty to support their fellow Muslims in Turkey. The Khalifa was a unifying figure for all Muslims, and Indian Muslims believed that if the Khalifa lost his power, the global Muslim community would suffer.

Thus, Muslim leaders in India like Maulana Muhammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali started the Khilafat Movement in 1919. The movement aimed to put pressure on the British government to protect the position of the Khalifa and ensure Turkey remained strong after the war.

Conflict of Interests: India and Britain

At the same time, India was still under British rule, and many Indians were working towards independence. During World War I, the Indian National Congress and other Indian leaders supported the British, hoping that after the war, Britain would grant India more freedom. However, when the war ended, Britain did not fulfill its promises, leading to disappointment among many Indians.

For Indian Muslims, the situation was even more difficult. While they were supporting Turkey and the Khalifa, India was technically a “friend nation” to Britain. This created a conflict because Britain was part of the group of nations that defeated Turkey. Yet, Indian Muslims decided to stand by Turkey, even though Britain was India’s ruler at the time.

The Role of Gandhi

The Khilafat Movement found an important ally in Mahatma Gandhi, who saw an opportunity for Hindus and Muslims to unite against British rule. Gandhi supported the Khilafat Movement because he believed that it could help strengthen the fight for Indian independence. This unity of Hindus and Muslims, even if for different reasons, was a significant moment in India’s freedom struggle.

The End of the Khilafat Movement

On 17 October 1919, the Khilafat Movement officially began with a nationwide protest against British policies. However, the movement didn’t last long. By the mid-1920s, political changes in Turkey led to the end of the Khalifa system. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the new leader of Turkey, abolished the position of the Khalifa in 1924, and the Khilafat Movement in India gradually faded away.

The Khilafat Movement was a unique moment in Indian history where Indian Muslims came together to support Turkey’s Khalifa, even though their country was under British rule. While it didn’t achieve its main goal of preserving the Ottoman Empire, it played an important role in bringing Indian Muslims and Hindus together in their shared struggle for independence from British rule.