Modern India: Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Issue
1. Background of the Khilafat Issue
Context: In early 1919, Indian Muslim leaders voiced strong opposition to the British government's stance towards Turkey after World War I, fearing the dismantling of the Ottoman Caliphate.
- Leaders like the Ali brothers (Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali), Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan, and Hasrat Mohani urged the British government to change its stance towards Turkey.
- Key Demands:
- Khalifa's control over Muslim sacred places should remain intact.
- The Khalifa should retain sufficient territories after territorial arrangements.
- Mahatma Gandhi, as the president of the All India Khilafat Committee, saw the issue as a platform for a united (Hindu plus Muslim) mass non-cooperation movement against the British.
Key Leaders of the Khilafat Movement:
- Ali Brothers: Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: Prominent freedom fighter and scholar
- Ajmal Khan: Muslim League leader from Punjab
- Hasrat Mohani: Poet and freedom fighter
- Mahatma Gandhi: President of All India Khilafat Committee
- Ali Brothers: Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: Prominent freedom fighter and scholar
- Ajmal Khan: Muslim League leader from Punjab
- Hasrat Mohani: Poet and freedom fighter
- Mahatma Gandhi: President of All India Khilafat Committee
2. Launch of the Non-Cooperation Movement
Context: The Non-Cooperation Movement was launched as a mass protest against British rule, combining the Khilafat issue with the demand for swaraj (self-rule).
- February 1920: Gandhi announces readiness for non-cooperation movement if the terms of the peace treaty fail to satisfy Indian Muslims.
- August 31, 1920: The Khilafat Committee initiates a campaign of non-cooperation, formally launching the movement.
- September 1920: Congress (at a special session in Calcutta) approves a non-cooperation program until Punjab and Khilafat issues are resolved.
Programme of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- Boycotts:
- Boycott of schools and colleges
- Boycott of law courts
- Boycott of legislative councils
- Boycott of foreign goods
- Boycott of government titles
- Mass Participation: The movement saw unprecedented participation from students, lawyers, peasants, and workers across India.
Knowledge Nugget: Significance of the Non-Cooperation Movement
- It was the first mass movement led by Gandhi that united Hindus and Muslims.
- It marked a shift from constitutional agitation to mass civil disobedience.
- The movement led to the resignation of many lawyers and the boycott of British institutions.
- It created a new political consciousness among the masses.
- It was the first mass movement led by Gandhi that united Hindus and Muslims.
- It marked a shift from constitutional agitation to mass civil disobedience.
- The movement led to the resignation of many lawyers and the boycott of British institutions.
- It created a new political consciousness among the masses.
3. Spread of the Movement
Context: The Non-Cooperation Movement spread rapidly across India, with students, lawyers, peasants, and workers participating in large numbers.
- Educational Boycott: Students left government schools and colleges; many joined national institutions like the Jamia Millia Islamia and Gujarat Vidyapith.
- Legal Boycott: Prominent lawyers like C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru, and Jawaharlal Nehru gave up their legal practices.
- Economic Boycott: Khadi became a symbol of resistance; foreign cloth was publicly burnt.
- Peasant Movements: In Awadh, peasants led by Baba Ramchandra protested against oppressive landlords.
- Labour Movements: Workers in mills and factories participated in strikes.
Key Events During the Movement:
- Jamia Millia Islamia established in 1920 in Aligarh
- Gujarat Vidyapith established in 1920 by Gandhi
- Awadh Kisan Movement led by Baba Ramchandra
- Labour Strikes in mills and factories across India
- Jamia Millia Islamia established in 1920 in Aligarh
- Gujarat Vidyapith established in 1920 by Gandhi
- Awadh Kisan Movement led by Baba Ramchandra
- Labour Strikes in mills and factories across India
4. Chauri Chaura Incident (February 5, 1922)
Context: The Chauri Chaura incident became a turning point in the Non-Cooperation Movement, leading to its sudden withdrawal by Gandhi.
- Location: Chauri-Chaura, Gorakhpur district, United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).
- Trigger: Police beat a leader of volunteers protesting against liquor sale and high food prices. The police subsequently fired on the protesting crowd near the police station.
- Violence: The agitated crowd retaliated by attacking and setting fire to the police station. Twenty-two policemen died in the violence, some trying to flee but being killed and thrown back into the fire.
- Gandhi's Response: Disheartened by the increasing violence associated with the movement, Gandhi immediately announced the withdrawal of the non-cooperation movement.
Impact of the Chauri Chaura Incident:
- Led to the immediate withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement (February 12, 1922).
- Gandhi was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison.
- The movement's abrupt end disappointed many nationalists.
- The incident highlighted Gandhi's commitment to non-violence even at the cost of political gains.
- Led to the immediate withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement (February 12, 1922).
- Gandhi was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison.
- The movement's abrupt end disappointed many nationalists.
- The incident highlighted Gandhi's commitment to non-violence even at the cost of political gains.
Knowledge Nugget: Gandhi's Statement on Chauri Chaura
Gandhi described the Chauri Chaura incident as a "Himalayan blunder" and stated, "I must not be a party to violence, direct or indirect." His decision to withdraw the movement was criticized by many nationalists like C.R. Das and Jawaharlal Nehru, but Gandhi remained firm in his commitment to ahimsa (non-violence).
Gandhi described the Chauri Chaura incident as a "Himalayan blunder" and stated, "I must not be a party to violence, direct or indirect." His decision to withdraw the movement was criticized by many nationalists like C.R. Das and Jawaharlal Nehru, but Gandhi remained firm in his commitment to ahimsa (non-violence).
5. Aftermath and Significance
Context: Despite its withdrawal, the Non-Cooperation Movement left a lasting impact on India's freedom struggle and Gandhi's leadership.
- Immediate Consequences:
- Gandhi was arrested in March 1922 and sentenced to six years in prison.
- The movement's abrupt end led to a period of political lull.
- Many nationalists were disappointed and sought alternative paths to freedom.
- Long-term Significance:
- It established Gandhi as the undisputed leader of the masses.
- It demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance.
- It united Hindus and Muslims in a common struggle against British rule.
- It created a new political consciousness among ordinary Indians.
Key Takeaways:
- Khilafat Movement Leaders: Ali Brothers, Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan, Hasrat Mohani
- Gandhi's Role: President of All India Khilafat Committee
- Movement Launched: August 31, 1920
- Chauri Chaura: February 5, 1922
- Movement Withdrawn: February 12, 1922
- Gandhi Arrested: March 1922
- Khilafat Movement Leaders: Ali Brothers, Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan, Hasrat Mohani
- Gandhi's Role: President of All India Khilafat Committee
- Movement Launched: August 31, 1920
- Chauri Chaura: February 5, 1922
- Movement Withdrawn: February 12, 1922
- Gandhi Arrested: March 1922
6. Summary: Non-Cooperation Movement
| Event | Date | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Khilafat Leaders' Demand | Early 1919 | Ali Brothers, Maulana Azad urged British to change stance on Turkey |
| Gandhi's Announcement | February 1920 | Ready for non-cooperation if peace treaty terms fail |
| Movement Launch | August 31, 1920 | Khilafat Committee initiates non-cooperation campaign |
| Congress Approval | September 1920 | Special session in Calcutta approves non-cooperation program |
| Chauri Chaura Incident | February 5, 1922 | 22 policemen killed; crowd set fire to police station |
| Movement Withdrawn | February 12, 1922 | Gandhi announces withdrawal after Chauri Chaura |
| Gandhi Arrested | March 1922 | Sentenced to six years in prison |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Khilafat Issue (1919) — Ali Brothers, Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan
- Gandhi's Role — President of All India Khilafat Committee
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) — First mass movement led by Gandhi
- Chauri Chaura (Feb 5, 1922) — 22 policemen killed; led to withdrawal
- Movement Withdrawn (Feb 12, 1922) — Gandhi's commitment to non-violence
- Gandhi Arrested (March 1922) — Sentenced to 6 years in prison
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Non-Cooperation Movement Focus)
Q1. Consider the following statements about the Khilafat Movement:
1. The Khilafat Movement was led by the Ali Brothers, Maulana Azad, Ajmal Khan, and Hasrat Mohani.
2. Mahatma Gandhi was the president of the All India Khilafat Committee.
3. The movement demanded the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: A. Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Khilafat Movement demanded the preservation of the Ottoman Caliphate, not its abolition. Gandhi was the president of the All India Khilafat Committee.
Q2. The Non-Cooperation Movement was formally launched by the Khilafat Committee on:
Correct Answer: B. The Khilafat Committee initiated a campaign of non-cooperation on August 31, 1920, formally launching the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Q3. The special session of Congress that approved the non-cooperation program was held in:
Correct Answer: C. The Congress held a special session in Calcutta in September 1920, which approved the non-cooperation program until Punjab and Khilafat issues were resolved.
Q4. The Chauri Chaura incident took place in which district?
Correct Answer: A. The Chauri Chaura incident took place in Chauri-Chaura, Gorakhpur district, United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) on February 5, 1922.
Q5. How many policemen died in the Chauri Chaura incident?
Correct Answer: C. Twenty-two policemen died in the Chauri Chaura incident when the agitated crowd attacked and set fire to the police station.
Q6. Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement on:
Correct Answer: B. Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement on February 12, 1922, after the Chauri Chaura incident on February 5, 1922.
Q7. Gandhi was arrested in which year following the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Correct Answer: B. Gandhi was arrested in March 1922 following the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement and was sentenced to six years in prison.
Q8. Which of the following was NOT a part of the Non-Cooperation Movement programme?
Correct Answer: D. The Non-Cooperation Movement called for the boycott of foreign goods, not Indian goods. The other options were all part of the programme.
Q9. The Jamia Millia Islamia was established in which year?
Correct Answer: B. Jamia Millia Islamia was established in 1920 in Aligarh during the Non-Cooperation Movement as a national institution.
Q10. Gandhi described the Chauri Chaura incident as:
Correct Answer: D. Gandhi described the Chauri Chaura incident as a "Himalayan blunder" and it was also a turning point in the movement, leading to its withdrawal.