Correct Option
Assertion (A) states that the Khilafat movement brought urban Muslims into the fold of the National Movement. This is accurate. The Khilafat movement, initiated by the Ali brothers (Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali) in response to British policies towards the Ottoman Caliphate, provided a significant opportunity for the political mobilization of urban Muslims. Mahatma Gandhi's support for the Khilafat cause, viewing it as an opportunity for Hindu-Muslim unity against colonial rule, led to its integration with the Non-Cooperation Movement. This alliance effectively drew a large segment of urban Muslims, who had previously been less active in mainstream nationalist politics, into the broader anti-colonial struggle.
Reason (R) states that there was a predominant element of anti-imperialism in both the National and Khilafat Movement. This is also correct. The Indian National Movement, particularly the Non-Cooperation Movement, was fundamentally anti-imperialist, aiming to achieve Swaraj by challenging British authority. Similarly, the Khilafat Movement, while rooted in religious concerns regarding the Caliphate, was also inherently anti-imperialist as it opposed the British government's actions that undermined the sovereignty and religious sentiments of Muslims globally. Both movements shared a common adversary in British imperialism.
Reason (R) correctly explains Assertion (A). The shared anti-imperialist character of both movements served as a crucial ideological bridge. This common opposition to British rule facilitated the convergence of the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation movements, thereby enabling the integration of urban Muslims into the wider National Movement. The anti-imperialist sentiment provided a powerful unifying force that transcended religious differences and mobilized diverse sections of society against colonial power.
Incorrect Options
Option (2) is incorrect because while both A and R are true, R does provide a correct explanation for A. The anti-imperialist nature of both movements was the fundamental reason for their convergence and the subsequent mobilization of urban Muslims into the national struggle.
Option (3) is incorrect because both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are factually correct statements.
Option (4) is incorrect because Assertion (A) is a true statement.