The question of Mahatma Gandhi’s “biggest mistake” is complex, but many historians point to his decision to ally with the Khilafat Movement (1919–1924) as a strategic misstep. By tying India’s independence struggle to the preservation of the Ottoman Caliphate—a religious cause for Muslims—Gandhi aimed to unite Hindus and Muslims against British rule. However, this fusion of religious and nationalist goals ultimately deepened communal divides and diverted focus from India’s secular freedom movement.

What Led to This Decision?

After World War I, Gandhi sought to build Hindu-Muslim unity to counter British colonialism. The Khilafat Movement, which demanded the British protect the Ottoman Caliph (considered the spiritual leader of Muslims), offered a platform for collaboration. Gandhi believed aligning the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922) with Khilafat would amplify pressure on the British while fostering communal harmony. However, this meant prioritizing a symbolic religious issue over India’s immediate political or economic grievances.

The Consequences

The alliance initially united communities, but it also exposed fault lines. When the British failed to meet Khilafat demands, and the Ottoman Caliphate was abolished in 1924, many Muslims felt betrayed. Communal riots erupted, and the independence movement lost momentum. Critics argue that Gandhi’s reliance on religious symbolism alienated some Hindus and diluted the secular vision of a unified India.

What Did Gandhi or Historians Say?

In later writings, Gandhi acknowledged the risks of mixing religion with politics. He admitted that the Khilafat strategy was flawed, as it tied Indian nationalism to a foreign religious issue. Historians like Judith Brown and David Hardiman suggest this misstep highlighted Gandhi’s tendency to idealize communal harmony while underestimating the complexities of religious identity in politics.

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