The Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) and the Non-Cooperation Movement (1919-1922) were both large-scale movements that challenged British control in India. In spite of their divergent problems, the movements developed a cohesive strategy centered on nonviolence and non-cooperation. The Khilafat Movement was focused on protecting Muslim rights and sought to use non-violent tactics to achieve its goals. The protests that took place during this period were ultimately instrumental in India’s independence.

Pudumai almost got us killed! We landed next in a big court that was studded with precious gems and about fifteen ministers seated in a line around the Sultan. That was where the movement started, the Ottoman Empire in Turkey. Just then Pudumai started shuddering.

The soldiers yelled, “Intruders! Intruders”. Another soldier, “Throw a spear and get them killed. They must be the bloody British.” A spear came right at our direction. I felt I was walking into the claws of death. I screamed, “Aunty, aunty, are you with me? Do something! We’re gonna be killed now!” Just then aunty hit a black button and the spear passed right through my head. “Oh, oh”, I exclaimed as I fell back. Aunty helped me up while I asked, “What just happened, aunty? I almost got killed!”

Aunty explained, “The circuit might have loosened which made us visible and tangible for a few moments”. I sighed with relief that we were out of danger and then proceeded to watch the scenes ahead of me which seemed to be changing so fluidly that it almost was like watching a film.

The Ottoman Empire had sided with the central powers during World War I and suffered a huge defeat. Treaties such as the Treaty of Versailles reduced the territories under the power of the Ottoman Empire and its influence over the people. But the Allied powers promised to protect the Sultan’s status. In the following year, through the Treaty of Sèvres, territories of Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq were taken away from under the Ottoman Empire. The 1920 Sèvres Treaty was a pact between the Allies and the Ottoman Empire, officially dismantling the Empire and forcing it to relinquish claims to territories in North Africa and the Middle East.

I don’t understand why the British can’t keep their word, and yet call themselves superior to us Indians who are renowned for their honesty.

Again in Turkey, a new movement called the Turkish National Movement came into being which was led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. That movement abolished the Treaty of Sèvres with the Treaty of Lausanne aka a peace treaty, which was the final treaty that concluded the wretched World War I. The Republic of Turkey later abolished the position of the caliphate in 1924, however later there was a proposal from the Republic of Turkey to reside outside the lands but they flatly declined the offer and extended their support to a man named Abdulmejid. The title of Caliph was claimed by Hussein Bin Ali for a brief period but later he was defeated and conquered by Ibn Saud in 1925.

Protests arose throughout the world voicing the injustice of the caliphate and one of the major protests was in India. Protestants such as Maulana Mohammed Ali Johar spent years in prison for supporting the caliphate. A campaign in defense of the caliphate was launched, led in India by the brothers Shaukat and Muḥammad Ali and by Abul Kalam Azad called the Khilafat Manifesto. The Khilafat Manifesto was published in 1920 with the intention to reverse their injustice and protect the title of the Caliph and served as a beacon for Muslims to unite in India against the British. The Khilafat community was also formed in Bengal in order to rally protesters. A comradeship was formed between the Khilafat leaders and the Indian National Congress. So they fought for both Khilafat and Swaraj under one banner which later was an integral part of the Non-Cooperation Movement.

The Khilafat issue strengthened the rising anti-British sentiments among Indian muslims that had increased since the British declared war against the Ottoman people and Caliph in 1914. The Khilafat leaders had mostly been imprisoned due to their preachings and disobedience against the British and were now active members of the Indian nationalist movement. Although important leaders like Gandhi, the Ali brothers and others were quickly arrested by the colonial government due to their rising influence on the people, the Punjab Khilafat took a leading role throughout India. People hailing from villages such as Aujla Khurd were becoming the main contributors to the cause, which caused an increasing fear for the British.

Eventually, the Khilafat movement lost its standing as its members had to participate in the Congress, the Khilafat protests and the Muslim League. The movement crumbled when Mustafa Kemal Pasha overthrew the Ottoman monarchy and established a republic joining hands with the people. The role of the Caliph was abolished thereby shutting off the source of the movement. Meanwhile, Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation movement in early 1922. The Ali brothers joined Muslim League. They would later be playing a major role in the growth of the League of Muslims. The league of Muslims would lead to the emergence of the Pakistan movement and the division of India. After Turkey’s abolition of the Khilafat movement, a caliphate conference was held in Jerusalem in 1931, to determine the fate of the caliphate and its future. Today, the Ali brothers are regarded as the founding fathers of Pakistan, and Azad, Dr Ansari and Hakim Ajmal Khan are celebrated as national heroes in India which encourages the diversity and empowerment of India.

A thought has entered into my mind that the colonial movement was connected to various parts of the world and India was able to attain her independence through her external ties also. These incidents are etched in my memory.

While thinking, we suddenly realised how hungry we were. We dipped into our snacks available on Pudumai and feasted on tasty chips, halwas and some orange juice.

Aunty clicked the button labeled CD for Civil Disobedience and off we went!!!