Delve into the Non-Cooperation Movement and Khilafat Aandolan, key events uniting India against British rule. Understand the economic hardships post-World War I, the repressive measures by the British, and the political groundwork that set the stage for these movements. Learn how the Khilafat Movement addressed concerns about the Ottoman Empire, while the Non-Cooperation Movement, led by Gandhi, aimed to undermine British authority through non-violent resistance.

Background to the Movements

• Post-World War I, India faced significant economic hardship, including rising prices, decreased industrial production, and increased taxes and rents, leading to widespread discontent.
• The Rowlatt Act, martial law in Punjab, and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre highlighted the repressive nature of British rule, fueling anti-British sentiment.
• The Hunter Committee's inquiry into the Punjab atrocities was widely criticized as inadequate, with British support for General Dyer exacerbating Indian resentment.
• The Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, which introduced a dyarchy system, failed to meet Indian demands for self-governance, further intensifying discontent.
• Political groundwork for Hindu-Muslim unity included the Lucknow Pact (1916), joint agitation against the Rowlatt Act, and the rise of radical nationalist Muslims who opposed British imperialism.

Emergence of the Movements

• The Khilafat Movement, driven by the concern over the post-war treatment of the Ottoman Empire, provided a unifying issue for Hindus and Muslims.
• Both the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements adopted a common program of non-violent resistance against British rule.
• The Khilafat issue was leveraged to strengthen Hindu-Muslim unity, bridging religious divides and uniting diverse sections of Indian society in opposition to British colonial rule.
• The Non-Cooperation Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, sought to undermine British authority through non-violent means, aligning with the Khilafat Movement to amplify its impact.