What is the main role of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in India's independence?

Asked 28-Aug-2018
Updated 30-Jun-2023
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What is the main role of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in India's independence?


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Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Bacha Khan, was a Pashtun independence activist who campaigned to end the rule of the British Raj in India. He was a devout Muslim and an advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity in the subcontinent.

Khan was born in 1890 in Utmanzai, India (now Pakistan). He was educated in a madrasa, where he learned about Islam and Pashtun culture. In 1911, he joined the independence movement of the Pashtun activist Haji Sahib of Turangzai. By 1915, the British colonial authorities had shut down Khan's madrasa, deeming its pro-Indian independence activism to be a threat to their authority.

Having witnessed the repeated failure of Indian revolts against British rule, Khan decided that social activism and reform would be more beneficial for the ethnic Pashtuns. In 1929, he founded the Khudai Khidmatgar ("Servants of God") movement, which promoted non-violent resistance to British rule. The Khudai Khidmatgars became a powerful force in the independence movement, and Khan was known as the "Frontier Gandhi" for his advocacy of non-violence.

Khan was arrested and imprisoned several times by the British, but he never wavered in his commitment to non-violence. He was also a strong advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity, and he worked tirelessly to bridge the divide between the two communities.

After India gained independence in 1947, Khan opposed the partition of the country. He believed that the partition would only lead to conflict and instability, and he called for a united India. Khan's views were not popular with the new Pakistani government, and he was forced to live in exile in Afghanistan for many years.

Khan returned to Pakistan in 1972, and he continued to work for peace and social justice until his death in 1988. He is considered one of the greatest leaders of the Indian independence movement, and his legacy continues to inspire people around the world.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan's main role in India's independence was to promote non-violent resistance to British rule. He was a charismatic leader who was able to unite the Pashtuns under the banner of non-violence. The Khudai Khidmatgar movement that he founded was a powerful force in the independence movement, and it played a significant role in the eventual defeat of the British.

Khan was also a strong advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity. He believed that the two communities could live together in peace and harmony, and he worked tirelessly to promote understanding and tolerance between them. His views were not always popular, but he never wavered in his commitment to peace and unity.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a towering figure in the Indian independence movement. He was a man of great courage and principle, and he dedicated his life to the cause of freedom and justice. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world, and he is rightly considered one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century.