sempozyum_bildiri_kitabi

totally against him due to his anti – British activities and considered Zamindar as a fiery newspaper
and its editor as a notorious firebrand. 8
First World War and the khilafat issue
The Turkish Caliphate was regarded as the symbol of the Muslim unity. The Muslims of India had
brotherly feelings with Turkish people due to that sacred institution of Caliphate till the First World
War. On the other hand, The Muslims remained supportive of British Government throughout the
War (1914 – 1918) with man and material because they were given the assurance that Turkey would
not be given severe punishment in case of defeat. But when the war came to an end, they knew
about the four secret agreements between Britain and her Allies, for the division of Turkey in case of
its defeat.
Due to these pacts, the Muslims of India were shocked and they thought themselves to have been
cheated and betrayed by the British Government and even the British Prime Minister Lloyd George
(1863 – 1945) was assuring the Muslims of India till 5 th January, 1918 that “we are fighting to deprive
Turkey of its capital, nor of the rich renowned lands of Asia Minor and Thrace, which were
predominantly Turkish in race”. 9
At the end of the war, the British government changed its attitude, forgot its promises during the
war, entered its forces into Mosul, and by the backing of British Constantinople was occupied by the
Allies. The Turkish army was disarmed and innocent civilians were treated inhumanly. Western
statement and newspapers were against Turkey and demanded severest punishment for Turkey.
They were also demanding that Turkey should be reduced at the level of fourth rate power. 10
The Indian Muslims decided to remind the British Government of its war time promises. But the
British Prime Minister said that the future of the Turkey should be decided according to the wishes of
her allies. So the Indian Muslims established All India Khilafat Conference at Bombay with branches
in all provinces of India. The Objectives of the Conference were the protection of sacred places and
the Turkish caliphate.
Women’s leadership in khilafat movement
Khilafat movement was the first Indian political Movement in which women participation was
recorded in the history of the British Colonial Period. The first Muslim woman, who actively involved
herself in this national movement was, Abadi Begum (1852 – 1924), the mother of Shoukat Ali and
Muhammad Ali Jauhar, more popularly known as Bi ‐ Amman. During the Khilafat days she was about
73 years old but she made a powerful appeal to the drooping spirit of the Indian masses. 11 No doubt
she was the first Indian lady, who like her sons and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan was in favor of Pan‐
Islamism.
Her first public appearance was seen in 1913 on the platform of the Anjuman – I – Khuddam – I –
Kabba. The purpose of the Anjuman was to maintain the honor of Kaaba and other Holy Places of the
Muslims and to save them from the aggression of non‐Muslims. The organization was established
just after Tripoli and Balkan Wars and its main purpose was to highlight the imperial aggression
against the Muslim lands especially Turkey. 12 According to Bi‐Amman, she had joined this
organization due to its objectives. She said that “none could pretend to have a good Musalman, who
did not as freely express and promote sympathy with the Musalmans of Turkey as with those of
India, or Persia or Arabia”. 13 She also explained that every Muslim should express his sympathy with
the sufferers of Tripoli and Balkan War. 14 Bi‐Amman once again came to occupy remarkable place in
the Khilafat Movement. Now, she appealed to the Indian Muslims to join the Khilafat movement for
their co‐religionists. 15 She toured the country, addressed large gatherings of people, which flocked to
hear her and they were advised to follow the footsteps of her sons in the new struggle.
Bi‐ Amman also joined the All India Home Rule League, started by Mrs. Annie Besant (1847 –
1933) ‐ , a British Irish Theosophist, who devoted herself to campaigning the cause of Indian
Independence. 16 Spelling out her views on the role of women in contemporary India, Bi‐ Amman
recalled the glorious day of the great prophet (S.A.W.W) and the early Caliphs. She said that: “We
were all free enough to do good, and we, the women of Islam, also used to shoulder our share of the