The demonstrations and satyagraha in Peshawar were led by Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, also known as Badshah Khan and Frontier Gandhi. Following Gandhiji's completion of the salt law defiance ritual, similar marches and salt law defiance occurred across the country. Gaffar Khan founded the Khudai Khidmatgars society, also known as the Red Shirts. Two platoons of Garhwali soldiers refused to shoot at nonviolent mass protesters in Peshawar, even if it meant facing court-martial and lengthy prison terms. This incident demonstrated that nationalism was infiltrating the Indian Army, the primary instrument of British rule. In this article, we will discuss the demonstrations in Peshawar which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Peshawar Satyagraha - Background

• Thousands of people across the country defied the salt ban by producing salt and protesting in front of government salt factories.
• Foreign clothing was boycotted, and liquor stores were picketed as the movement spread.
• Peasants refused to pay revenue and chaukidari taxes, village officials resigned, and forest people broke forest laws in many places, entering Reserved Forests to collect wood and graze cattle.
• Concerned about the situation, the colonial government began arresting Congress leaders one by one. This resulted in violent clashes in a number of palaces.
• When Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a devout disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, was arrested in April 1930, angry crowds marched through the streets of Peshawar, confronted by armored cars and police firing. Many people were killed.

Factors that led to demonstrations at Peshawar

• Abdul Gaffar Khan's educational and social reform work among the Pathans in Peshawar Khan had politicized them.
• Gaffar Khan, also known as Badshah Khan and Frontier Gandhi, founded the first Pushto political monthly Pukhtoon and organized a volunteer brigade known as the 'Red-Shirts,' who were dedicated to the freedom struggle and nonviolence.
• The arrest of Congress leaders in the NWFP on April 23, 1930, sparked mass demonstrations in Peshawar, which was virtually in the hands of the crowds for more than a week until order was restored on May 4.
• This was followed by a reign of terror and the imposition of martial law. A section of Garhwal Rifles soldiers refused to fire on an unarmed crowd here.
• The British government was concerned by this increase in a province with a 92% Muslim population.

Khudai Khidmatgar Movement

• The Khudai Khidmatgar was a nonviolent movement in North-West Frontier Province led by Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a Pashtun freedom fighter, against the British occupation of the Indian subcontinent.
• Over time, the movement became political, and the British became aware of its growing importance in the region.
• After Khan and other leaders were arrested in 1929, the movement formally joined the Indian National Congress after failing to gain support from the All-India Muslim League.
• Members of the Khudai Khidmatgar were well-organized, and the men stood out due to the bright red shirts they wore as uniforms, while the women wore black clothing.
• The Khudai Khidmatgar opposed Partition, which many misinterpreted as the movement's opposition to the creation of an independent Pakistan.

About Ghaffar Khan

• Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1890-1988), the most prominent 20th-century leader of the Pashtuns (a Muslim ethnic group in Pakistan and Afghanistan), was a Mahatma Gandhi follower known as the "Frontier Gandhi."
• Ghaffar Khan met Gandhi and entered politics in 1919, during the agitation over the Rowlatt Act, which allowed political dissidents to be imprisoned without trial.
• In 1920, he joined the Khilafat movement, which sought to strengthen Indian Muslims' spiritual ties to the Turkish sultan.
• In his native North-West Frontier Province, he was elected president of a district Khilafat committee in 1921.
• Ghaffar Khan founded the Red Shirt movement (Khudai Khidmatgar) among the Pashtuns shortly after attending an Indian National Congress (Congress Party) gathering in 1929.
• In 1987, he was bestowed with the Bharat Ratna Prize, India's highest civilian honor. He was the first non-Indian to receive this prestigious award.

Conclusion

The British were able to restore order in Peshawar only after day days, and a reign of terror was unleashed and martial law was imposed. Ghaffar Khan's movement was largely limited to areas such as Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Hazara; however, there were a series of tribal incursions in the latter part of 1930 that could only be controlled with the help of aerial bombardment.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Who led the Peshawar Satyagraha in 1930?

A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

2. What was the primary objective of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement?

A) Armed rebellion against British rule
B) Nonviolent resistance and social reform
C) Promotion of industrialization
D) Establishment of a separate state

3. Which regiment's soldiers refused to fire on unarmed protesters during the Peshawar Satyagraha?

A) Punjab Regiment
B) Garhwal Rifles
C) Rajput Regiment
D) Maratha Light Infantry

4. In which year did the Peshawar Satyagraha take place?

A) 1929
B) 1930
C) 1931
D) 1932

5. What was the outcome of the Peshawar Satyagraha?

A) Immediate independence for India
B) Suppression of the movement without any impact
C) Highlighted the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance and increased nationalist sentiments
D) Division among Indian leaders

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Peshawar Satyagraha in the context of the Indian freedom struggle.

Answer: The Peshawar Satyagraha of 1930, led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, played a crucial role in the Indian freedom struggle by demonstrating the power and resilience of nonviolent resistance. The movement highlighted the unity among different sections of Indian society against British colonial rule. The refusal of Garhwali soldiers to fire on unarmed protesters was a major milestone, showcasing the rising nationalist sentiments even within the ranks of the Indian Army. The satyagraha exposed the oppressive nature of the British regime and strengthened the resolve of Indians to fight for independence through nonviolent means, further fueling the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Q2: Analyze the role of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and the Khudai Khidmatgar movement in promoting nonviolent resistance in the North-West Frontier Province.

Answer: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Frontier Gandhi, was a champion of nonviolent resistance and the leader of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement. The movement, also known as the "Red Shirts," aimed at social reform, community upliftment, and resistance against British rule through peaceful means. Khan's leadership inspired thousands of Pashtuns to adopt nonviolence, challenging the stereotype of the "warlike" Pashtun society. The Khudai Khidmatgar played a pivotal role in mobilizing the masses in the North-West Frontier Province, making significant contributions to the Indian independence struggle by promoting unity and nonviolence.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of the Peshawar Satyagraha on the broader Civil Disobedience Movement in India.

Answer: The Peshawar Satyagraha had a profound impact on the broader Civil Disobedience Movement in India. It highlighted the efficacy of nonviolent resistance and mass mobilization in challenging British authority. The bravery and determination of unarmed protesters in Peshawar, despite facing brutal repression, inspired similar movements across India. The refusal of Indian soldiers to fire on civilians was a turning point, indicating cracks in the loyalty of Indian troops serving under the British. This event strengthened the resolve of freedom fighters and demonstrated the potential for unity and mass participation in the struggle for independence.

Previous Year Questions on Peshawar Satyagraha

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019:

Question: The Peshawar Satyagraha of 1930 was led by:

A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The Peshawar Satyagraha was led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Frontier Gandhi.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Examine the significance of the Peshawar Satyagraha in strengthening nonviolent resistance during India's freedom struggle."

Answer: The Peshawar Satyagraha of 1930, led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, was a pivotal moment in the Indian freedom struggle. It demonstrated the power and effectiveness of nonviolent resistance against British repression. The mass participation of unarmed protesters and the refusal of Garhwali soldiers to fire on civilians highlighted the unity and resolve of Indians against colonial rule. This event galvanized support for the broader Civil Disobedience Movement, showcasing the potential for nonviolent civil disobedience to challenge and weaken British authority. The satyagraha also brought attention to the contributions of the North-West Frontier Province in the struggle for independence.