He was replaced as caliph by his cousin, whose powers were strictly limited by secular laws, until that position, too, was abolished in 1924.
The position of caliph was regarded as purely ceremonial. 
mnli hypothesis: The position of caliph was regarded as purely ceremonial.  premise: He was replaced as caliph by his cousin, whose powers were strictly limited by secular laws, until that position, too, was abolished in 1924.