With reference to the Khilafat Movement, answer the following questions:

(a) Why did Mahatma Gandhi support the Khilafat Movement?

(b) What was the significance of the Khilafat Movement?

(c) What brought the Khilafat Movement to an end?

(a) Mahatma Gandhi saw Khilafat Movement as an opportunity of uniting the Hindus and the Muslims. He advised the Khilafat Committee to adopt a policy of non-cooperation with the Government. This Non-Cooperation campaign started on 1st August, 1920.

(b) The significance of the Khilafat Movement is as follows:

1. The Khilafat Movement exercised great influence over the Muslim masses.
2. Later the Congress also launched the Non-Cooperation Movement.
3. Never before had any movement received the willing support of so many people, Hindus and Muslims alike.
4. The Khilafat Movement contributed to a sense of national unity.

(c) The Khilafat Movement died a natural death when in November 1922 Mustafa Kemal Pasha deposed the Sultan of Turkey and showed no concern for the holy places of Islam. He finally abolished the Caliphate and separated the State from religion. Mustafa modernised education, agriculture and industry. He developed Turkey on secular and progressive lines.