In 1919, the Muslims of India launched a vigorous movement for the safeguard of Ottoman Caliphate in Turkey. This movement, though had to meet a failure in the long run, produced far reaching effects on the historical developments of the subcontinent. After the holocaust of 1857, it was the first occasion that the Muslims of India, with the cooperation of Hindus made a bold political front against the British rulers. In order to know how Khilafat Movement was started, it is essential to have a view of its historical background.

Historical Factors:

To Muslims Khilafat has always been an Islamic Government in its true sense. It has been the doctrine of Sunni Muslims - the sect who formed majority among the Muslims of India - that the first four caliphs, known as Khulfa-i-Rashidm, strictly followed the precedents and traditions established by the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him). It was, therefore, quite natural that they held great respect and devotion for Khilafat. No doubt this caliphate gradually turned into worldly kingdom, but even then it retained its position as the centre and authority of the Islamic World. We, therefore, observe that except the Umayyad Kingdom of Spain all the Muslim domains directly or indirectly gave their recognition to the authority of caliphates.

With the end of the Abbasid period and the succession of Ottoman caliph, the Muslims all over the world held deep in their hearts the respect and devotion for it. Although the Mughal emperors of India did not recognize the authority of the Ottoman caliphs yet Muslims in general over there had in their hearts a great regard for them and after the fall of Mughal Empire the names of Ottoman Caliphs were recited in 'Juma' prayers in most of the mosques over here.