PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
PSC Miscellaneous Prelims 2018
Answer
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Explanation
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a Pashtun independence activist who campaigned to end the rule of the British Raj in India. Due to his steadfast lifelong pacifism and close association with Mahatma Gandhi, he earned the nickname 'Frontier Gandhi' (as he led the movement in the North-West Frontier Province). He founded the 'Khudai Khidmatgar' (Servants of God) movement, whose members were also known as the Red Shirts.
Key Points
- > He was known as 'Frontier Gandhi' and 'Bacha Khan'.
- > He founded the 'Khudai Khidmatgar' movement in 1929.
- > His followers wore red uniforms and were dubbed the 'Red Shirts'.
- > He became the first non-Indian to be awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1987.
- > He strongly opposed the partition of India.
- > Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was India's first Minister of Education.
- > Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the founder of Pakistan.
Additional Information
Popular Sobriquets of Indian Freedom Fighters
| Real Name | Popular Title/Sobriquet |
|---|---|
| Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan | Frontier Gandhi, Bacha Khan |
| Chittaranjan Das | Deshbandhu |
| Bal Gangadhar Tilak | Lokmanya |
| Subhas Chandra Bose | Netaji |
| Vallabhbhai Patel | Iron Man of India (Bismarck of India) |
Memory Tips
- Location connection: The 'Frontier' refers to the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), where he was the undisputed Gandhian leader.