Khilafat Movement – Long Answer Questions
Medium Level (Application & Explanation)
Q1. Explain the background of the Khilafat Movement and why Indian Muslims were concerned after World War I.
Answer:
- After World War I, the Ottoman Empire was defeated.
- The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) put very harsh terms on Turkey.
- The Ottoman Sultan was the Caliph, a leader for Muslims worldwide.
- Indian Muslims feared the Caliph’s authority would be weakened.
- They also feared for the holy places of Islam.
- These fears led to a strong demand to protect the Caliph and his position.
Q2. Describe the formation and leadership of the Khilafat Movement. What were its main demands?
Answer:
- The movement was led by the Ali brothers: Shaukat Ali and Mohammad Ali.
- They formed the Khilafat Committee in Bombay in 1919.
- They wanted the Caliph to keep control over Muslim holy places.
- They did not want the Ottoman Empire to be broken apart.
- Their aim was to pressure the British to change their policy.
- They used public support to defend the Caliph’s position.
Q3. Why did Gandhi support the Khilafat cause? How did it help the national movement?
Answer:
- Gandhi saw a chance to unite Hindus and Muslims.
- He believed a joint struggle would make the freedom movement stronger.
- In 1920, he joined the Khilafat cause with the Non-Cooperation Movement.
- He gave a common plan: boycott of British goods, schools, and law courts.
- He promoted khadi and swadeshi to build self-reliance.
- He insisted on peaceful and non-violent protest.
Q4. Explain the common programme of the Khilafat–Non-Cooperation alliance in 1920.
Answer:
- The alliance called for a boycott of British goods to hit their economy.
- It asked students to leave British schools and join Indian institutions.
- It urged people to avoid British law courts and support Indian alternatives.
- It promoted khadi to encourage swadeshi and local work.
- It demanded peaceful, non-violent action at all times.
- The plan aimed to build a united, mass movement across India.
Q5. What was the significance of the Khilafat Movement for India’s freedom struggle?
Answer:
- It created a Hindu–Muslim united front for the first time.
- It turned anti-British feelings into a mass movement.
- It brought people from many regions and faiths into one cause.
- It showed Gandhi’s skill in linking religious and political issues.
- It gave a strong, moral force to the Non-Cooperation effort.
- It made the freedom struggle broad, inclusive, and nationwide.
High Complexity (Analysis & Scenario-Based)
Q6. A town in 1920 wants to support both Khilafat and Non-Cooperation. What steps should the local leaders take?
Answer:
- First, set up a joint committee with Hindu and Muslim leaders.
- Plan a boycott of British goods, and promote local khadi.
- Guide students to leave British schools and join national ones.
- Encourage citizens to avoid British law courts and use local bodies.
- Hold peaceful meetings and teach non-violence to all volunteers.
- Keep the focus on the Caliph’s position and India’s freedom together.
Q7. How did merging a religious issue (Khilafat) with a political issue (Swaraj) change the nature of the movement?
Answer:
- It widened the base of the struggle by adding new supporters.
- Many Muslims joined due to the Caliph issue; many others joined for Swaraj.
- The joint cause created a stronger moral and emotional appeal.
- It increased unity, so the British faced a larger and bolder front.
- It turned protests into a mass movement across communities.
- It showed that linked issues can multiply public energy and pressure.
Q8. Suppose the British had accepted the Khilafat demands. How might that have affected the movement?
Answer:
- The immediate anger among Indian Muslims might have reduced.
- Some supporters may have felt their religious concerns were respected.
- The unity between communities could still continue for Swaraj.
- The movement might have focused more on Non-Cooperation goals.
- British concessions could have been seen as a win for mass pressure.
- It would show that peaceful protest can bring policy change.
Q9. A student in 1920 must choose between staying in a British school or joining a national school. What should they consider?
Answer:
- The movement urges a boycott of British schools.
- Joining a national school supports swadeshi and self-reliance.
- It shows solidarity with the Khilafat–Non-Cooperation cause.
- It adds pressure on the British through mass withdrawal.
- The choice reflects commitment to non-violent and moral protest.
- It helps build a united front for India’s freedom.
Q10. Which is more effective: running Khilafat separately or merging it with Non-Cooperation? Justify your answer.
Answer:
- Merging creates a larger, united movement with one plan.
- It brings together religious and political goals under one banner.
- It increases reach, from cities to villages, across communities.
- It uses common tools: boycott, khadi, swadeshi, and non-violence.
- It turns scattered efforts into a mass movement with impact.
- So, the merged approach is more effective for national pressure.