Khilafat and the Non-cooperation Movements

The Hindu-Muslim unity reached its climax during the Khilafat and the Non- cooperation Movements. The Muslims ot South Asia, under the leadership of Ali Brothers, Maulana Muhammad All and Maulana Shaukat Ali, launched the historic Khilafat Movement after the First World War to protect the Ottoman Empire from dismemberment. Mohandas Karamchand Ghandhi (1869-1948) inked the issue of Swaraj (or self-government) with the Khilafat issue to associate the Hindus with the Movement. The ensuing Movement was the first country-wide popular movement. Although the movement failed in its objectives, it had far-reaching impact on the Muslims of South Asia. After a long time, they forged a united action on a purely Islamic issue which created momentarily solidarity among them. It also produced a class of Muslim leaders experienced in organizing and mobilizing the public. This experience was of immense value to the Muslims during the Pakistan Movement.