Understanding the Khudai Khidmatgars Movement in North-West India

The question asks about the leader of the Khudai Khidmatgars, also known as the Red Shirts, a prominent movement in North-West India.

The Khudai Khidmatgars were a non-violent Pashtun movement founded by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of British India (present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan). They were also widely known as the 'Red Shirts' (Surkh Posh) because of the colour of their uniforms.

Their primary goal was to promote Pushtun unity and independence, initially from British rule, and later they strongly opposed the partition of India. They were closely aligned with the Indian National Congress and participated actively in the Indian independence movement, advocating for non-violent resistance against the British.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a towering figure in the independence movement and a staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi's principle of non-violence. He was often referred to as 'Frontier Gandhi' because of his dedication to non-violent struggle and his influence among the Pashtun people.

Let's look at the options provided:

• Muhammad Ali: Likely refers to one of the Ali brothers (Maulana Muhammad Ali or Shaukat Ali) who were leaders in the Khilafat Movement, which was different from the Khudai Khidmatgars.
• MA Ansar: Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and Khilafat Movement, but not the leader of the Khudai Khidmatgars.
• Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan: As discussed, he was the founder and undisputed leader of the Khudai Khidmatgars.
• Hasrat Mohani: Maulana Hasrat Mohani was an Urdu poet and Indian independence activist, but not associated with the leadership of the Red Shirts movement.

Therefore, the society of Khudai Khidmatgars, also known as Red Shirt, in North-West India was organised under the leadership of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

Revision Table: Key Facts about Khudai Khidmatgars

Additional Information: Frontier Gandhi

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan's commitment to non-violence was particularly remarkable given the martial traditions of the Pashtun people. He successfully mobilised thousands of Pathans under the banner of non-violent resistance, demonstrating that non-violence was not a sign of weakness but a powerful tool for challenging injustice. His work was a testament to the potential of Gandhian philosophy in diverse cultural contexts. He received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1987, highlighting his significant contribution to the freedom struggle.