Khilafat Movement

Abadi Bano Begum (1852-1924), known affectionately as Bi Amma, was the mother of the Ali Brothers and one of the first Muslim women to enter Indian nationalist politics, mobilizing women for the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation movements while observing purdah.

Ali Musliyar (c. 1861-1922) was an Islamic religious leader in Malabar, imam of the Tirurangadi mosque from 1907 and the principal religious authority of the Malabar Rebellion of 1921-22. His role in the uprising remains contested in Indian historiography. He was executed in February 1922.

Hakim Ajmal Khan (1863-1927) was an Indian physician and nationalist who founded the Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbia College in Delhi, was the first Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, and presided over the Indian National Congress in 1921. A Unani practitioner from a family of court physicians.

Hasrat Mohani (1875-1951) was an Indian Muslim poet, journalist, and freedom fighter who coined the slogan 'Inquilab Zindabad' and was the first to demand complete independence for India, combining Urdu literary mastery with radical anti-colonial politics.

Jamia Millia Islamia was founded at Aligarh on 29 October 1920 by nationalist Muslim leaders and students who left the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College during the Non-Cooperation movement. It moved to Delhi in 1925, to Okhla in 1935, and became a central university by Act of Parliament in 1988.

The first student of Darul Uloom Deoband, who taught there for forty years and led it from 1890. Known as Shaykh al-Hind, he organised the Silk Letter Movement, was imprisoned in Malta, and laid the foundation stone of Jamia Millia Islamia.

Mohammad Ali Jauhar (1878-1931) was an Indian Muslim leader, journalist, and orator who co-led the Khilafat Movement with his brother Shaukat Ali, forged a Hindu-Muslim alliance with Gandhi, and spent his final years advocating for Muslim political rights at the Round Table Conference in London.

Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari (1880-1936) was an Indian physician and nationalist who presided over both the All India Muslim League and the Indian National Congress. Trained in Edinburgh and London, he led the Indian Medical Mission to Turkey in 1912 and was Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia.

Shaukat Ali (1873-1938) was an Indian Muslim leader who co-led the Khilafat Movement with his brother Mohammad Ali Jauhar. Known as the organizational force behind the movement, he was instrumental in forging the Hindu-Muslim alliance with Gandhi and spent years imprisoned for his activism.

Husain Ahmad Madani (1879-1957) was an Indian scholar of hadith who taught in Medina, was interned by the British on Malta, and led Darul Uloom Deoband as Shaykh al-Hadith. His 1938 work Muttahida Qaumiyat aur Islam made him the foremost scholar opposing the demand for Pakistan.

Syed Mahmud (1889-1971) was an Indian barrister and Congress leader from Bihar, a member of the Foundation Committee of Jamia Millia Islamia in 1920, General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, Education Minister of Bihar, and Union Minister of State for External Affairs.

Variyankunnath Kunjahammad Haji (c. 1875-1922) was the military leader of the Malabar Rebellion of 1921-22, establishing a short-lived parallel government in the Ernad and Valluvanad taluks. He was captured and executed in January 1922. His characterisation remains contested.