Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar Role in India's Freedom Struggle

Discover Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar's role in India's independence movement, the Khilafat Movement, journalism and education.

By News National Editorial Team

Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar was one of the prominent leaders of India's freedom struggle against British colonial rule. A journalist, poet, political activist and educationist, he helped mobilise public opinion against British policies and played an important role in the Khilafat Movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement. His contribution extended beyond politics to journalism and education, making him a significant figure in India's national movement.

Born on 10 December 1878 in Rampur, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, Jauhar received his early education in India before studying at Lincoln College, Oxford, where he pursued modern history. His education and command of English and Urdu later helped him communicate political ideas to different audiences.

Journalism as a Voice Against British Rule

Jauhar believed that newspapers could educate the public and challenge colonial authority. In 1911, he launched The Comrade, an English-language publication, and in 1913 he started the Urdu newspaper Hamdard.

Through these publications, he discussed political developments, criticised British policies and encouraged public debate. His journalism brought him into conflict with the colonial administration, and restrictions on his publications and periods of detention became part of his political life.

At a time when the British government exercised considerable control over political activity, his work demonstrated how the press could help spread nationalist ideas and connect people with the wider independence movement.

His Role in the Khilafat Movement

One of Jauhar's most significant contributions was his leadership in the Khilafat Movement, which developed after the First World War. The movement emerged from concerns among many Indian Muslims about the future of the Ottoman Caliphate following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire.

Alongside his elder brother, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Jauhar became one of its leading figures. The brothers helped organise public meetings and political campaigns to mobilise support.

Although the movement initially focused on the future of the Caliphate, it became connected with India's struggle against British rule. Mahatma Gandhi supported cooperation with Khilafat leaders, seeing an opportunity to unite people against colonial authority.

The resulting alliance helped bring sections of the Muslim community and the Indian National Congress together in a broader campaign of resistance. However, the movement had its own religious and international objectives, and its relationship with Indian nationalism changed as political circumstances developed.

Cooperation With Mahatma Gandhi

Jauhar supported the Non-Cooperation Movement launched under Gandhi's leadership in 1920. The campaign called on Indians to withdraw cooperation from British institutions and reject selected colonial symbols and practices.

The movement encouraged participation in boycotts and promoted the idea that British rule depended partly on Indian cooperation. Jauhar's speeches and political organising helped strengthen the campaign among his supporters.

The partnership did not remain without disagreements. Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 following the violence at Chauri Chaura. Jauhar and other leaders differed over the decision and the direction of the national struggle. Their disagreements illustrate the varied strategies and political priorities within the independence movement.

President of the Indian National Congress

In 1923, Jauhar became president of the Indian National Congress. His election was an important milestone, reflecting his position in the national movement and his role in bringing different political groups into public debate.

He had also been associated with the All-India Muslim League, illustrating that political affiliations and strategies in the period did not always follow the boundaries seen in later decades.

His relationship with Congress subsequently became more strained, particularly over questions of political representation and Hindu-Muslim relations. A balanced account of his life must therefore recognise both his role in the anti-colonial struggle and the disagreements that shaped his later politics.

Contribution to Education

Jauhar also believed that education was essential to India's social and political development. In 1920, he was among the founders of Jamia Millia Islamia, initially established in Aligarh and later moved to Delhi.

The institution emerged in the context of the national movement and the desire to develop education outside the colonial system. It eventually grew into a major university. Jauhar's association with Jamia reflects his belief that education could help communities develop intellectual independence and prepare future generations for public life.

Final Years and His Legacy

In 1930, despite ill health, Jauhar travelled to London to attend the Round Table Conference, where representatives discussed India's constitutional future. He continued to press for freedom from British rule.

He died in London on 4 January 1931, sixteen years before India achieved independence in August 1947. His remains were buried in Jerusalem.

Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar did not live to see the independence for which he campaigned. Nevertheless, his work in journalism, political mobilisation, education and the freedom movement secured him a place in India's modern history.

His life also reflects the complexity of the independence struggle: leaders could cooperate against colonial rule while disagreeing over religious concerns, political representation and the future structure of the country.

Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar contributed to India's freedom struggle through his newspapers, leadership of the Khilafat Movement, participation in the Non-Cooperation Movement and presidency of the Indian National Congress in 1923. His role in establishing Jamia Millia Islamia also demonstrated his commitment to education. Remembering his contribution helps provide a fuller understanding of the different people, movements and ideas that shaped India's journey towards independence.

Sources and further reading

• Jamia Millia Islamia, Sada-e-Jauhar: History and Contributions: https://www.jmi.ac.in/upload/menuupload/sada-e-jauhar_2019_20.pdf

• Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, biographical profile: https://jauharuniversity.edu.in/mohammad_ali_jauhar.html

• Rekhta, Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar's biography: https://www.rekhta.org/poets/maulana-mohammad-ali-jauhar/profile

This article is an original summary written from historical reference material. Sources are provided for verification and further reading.