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Pakistan Studies Assignment 1

The document is a student's assignment answering two questions about the Khilafat Movement in India from 1919 to 1924. In the first question, the student summarizes the key reasons for the failure of the Khilafat Movement, including the decline of the Ottoman Empire and Caliphate system, the emergence of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who abolished the Caliphate, internal divisions among Muslim leaders, and the Indian National Congress distancing itself from the movement. In the second question, the student explains how the Khilafat Movement demonstrated that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations and laid the groundwork for the Pakistan movement by garnering Gandhi's support, shifting Muslim political

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Zaryab Waheed
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7 views

Pakistan Studies Assignment 1

The document is a student's assignment answering two questions about the Khilafat Movement in India from 1919 to 1924. In the first question, the student summarizes the key reasons for the failure of the Khilafat Movement, including the decline of the Ottoman Empire and Caliphate system, the emergence of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who abolished the Caliphate, internal divisions among Muslim leaders, and the Indian National Congress distancing itself from the movement. In the second question, the student explains how the Khilafat Movement demonstrated that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations and laid the groundwork for the Pakistan movement by garnering Gandhi's support, shifting Muslim political

Uploaded by

Zaryab Waheed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Assignment#1

Name: Aleena Asad


Class: BBA-2A
Registration No.: SP23-BBA-024
Subject: Pakistan Studies
Teacher Name: Munaza

1
Question#1: Why Khilafat Movement failed and what was the role of Congress in
its failure?
Answer#1:
The Khilafat Movement, which took place in India from 1919 to 1924, was a significant socio-
religious and political movement focused at protecting the Caliphate system and the rights of
Muslims worldwide. Muslim leaders participating in the movement included Shaukat Ali,
Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Hakim Ajmal Khan, and Abdul Kalam Azad who organized the
movement to redress the grievances of Turkey. However, despite of khilafat movement initial
enthusiasm and vast support, the movement consequently failed due to a combination of internal
and external factors.
Decline of the Caliphate System: The Caliphate System, a central focus of the Khilafat
Movement, was in a state of severe decline during this period. It had been debilitated by internal
conflicts, corruption, and external pressures for several decades leading up to World War I. The
Ottoman Empire's loss in World War I, along with the occupation of Istanbul and the Caliphate
by Allied forces, severely limited its ability to respond to the demands and expectations of the
Khilafat Movement.
Emergence of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk emerged as a prominent
leader in Turkey and started off a series of reforms aimed at modernizing and secularizing the
country. One of his prominent actions was the abolition of the Caliphate in 1924.Atatürk's move
to abolish the Caliphate directly contradicted the central objective of the Khilafat Movement,
which was to preserve the Caliphate. This development severely undermined the movement's
cause.
Internal Divisions within the Indian Muslim Community: The Khilafat Movement faced
internal divisions and differences of opinion among its leaders and supporters. Some Muslims
believed that the movement should only focus on the Khilafat issue and not engage in broader
political activities. These divisions weakened the unity of the movement and led to internal
conflicts, making it less effective in achieving its goals.
Changing Stance of the Indian National Congress (Congress): The Congress initially
supported the Khilafat Movement as part of its strategy to call up Muslims against British
colonial rule. The Khilafat-Non-Cooperation Movement was a joint effort by both the Khilafat
leaders and the Congress. However, as the Khilafat Movement became more decentralized and
violent, the Congress leadership began to distance itself from it.
The Congress was basically focused on achieving independence from British rule and did not
want to be linked with a movement that could potentially turn away other religious communities
or jeopardize its broader objectives. The secular character of the freedom struggle was of
supreme importance to Congress leaders.

2
Question#2: How Khilafat Movement proved that Hindus and Muslims were two
different nations as they could not continue the unity, and ultimately paved the way
for Pakistan movement?
Answer#2:
The Khilafat Movement was a religious movement primarily led by Muslims. Its main objective
was to restore the authority of the Ottoman Sultan as the Caliph of Islam after the fall of the
Ottoman Empire following World War I. This movement played a pivotal role in the political
landscape of India and had far-reaching consequences, including its impact on the Indian
freedom struggle and the eventual partition of India and Pakistan.
Gandhi's Support: Mahatma Gandhi, the iconic leader of the Indian National Congress, threw
his support behind the Khilafat Movement. He saw it as an opportunity to build up Hindu-
Muslim unity and to mobilize the masses against British colonial rule. He believed that by
supporting the Khilafat cause, Hindus and Muslims could come together to address common
grievances and achieve India's independence.
Shift in Muslim Leadership: Gandhi's involvement in the Khilafat Movement had a deep
impact on the Muslim political landscape. The support of a prominent leader like Gandhi
garnered widespread attention and Muslim masses regroup behind the movement. As a result, the
Muslim League, which was previously led by secular leaders like Mohammad Ali Jinnah, lost
some of its popularity and influence among the Muslim masses. The religious belief gained
importance in Muslim politics during this period.
Muslim Fanaticism and Frenzy: The Khilafat Movement triggered intense religious sentiments
among some segments of the Muslim population. While the movement was initially non-violent
and aimed at political change, it took on a more complete and militant tone in some regions. This
rise led to incidents of violence and communal tension, resulting in the loss of lives and property.
Communal Divide: The communal divide between Hindus and Muslims widened during the
Khilafat Movement. While the movement aimed to unite the two communities against British
rule, it intentionally worsens communal tensions. Hindu-Muslim riots and conflicts erupted in
several places, eroding the trust and harmony that had existed to some extent before.
Impact on the Idea of Two Nations: The Khilafat Movement is often referred to as one of the
base to the idea of two separate nations—India and Pakistan. The failure of the movement to
maintain Hindu-Muslim unity, coupled with the subsequent rise of religious belief and
communal conflict, contributed to the belief that Hindus and Muslims were distinct nations with
incompatible differences.
This is how Khilafat movement paved the way for Pakistan movement.

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