The Frontier Gandhi
A life dedicated to non-violence and social reform.
A Life of Compassion
Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as ‘Bacha Khan’, was a spiritual and political leader renowned for his unwavering commitment to non-violence and for organizing the ‘Khudai Khidmatgar’ (Servants of God) movement. His deep belief in peaceful resistance in the volatile North-West Frontier Province earned him the affectionate title of “The Frontier Gandhi.”
1929
Founded
Khudai Khidmatgar
1987
Bharat Ratna
Awarded
A Journey of a Nation-Builder: A Timeline
1910: Social Reforms
He began his lifelong work of social reform by opening schools in his native village, focusing on education to uplift his people and counter British influence.
1929: Khudai Khidmatgar
He founded the ‘Servants of God’, an army of non-violent revolutionaries clad in red uniforms, who were dedicated to fighting for India’s freedom through peaceful means.
1930: Salt Satyagraha
He and his followers actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha and the Civil Disobedience Movement, becoming a major force of resistance in the North-West Frontier Province.
1947: Opposition to Partition
A strong opponent of the partition of India, he felt betrayed by the Indian National Congress and chose to remain in Pakistan, where he continued his struggle for the rights of the Pashtun people.