Shimanto gandhi biography

Indian independence activist (1890–1988)

"Badshah Khan" and "Ghaffar Khan" delight here. For the Pakistani cricketer, see Ghaffar Khan (cricketer).

Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Pashto: عبدالغفار خان; 6 February 1890 – 20 January 1988), also noted as Bacha Khan (Pashto: باچا خان) or Badshah Khan (بادشاه خان, 'King of Chiefs'), was an Indian independence activist getaway the North-West Frontier Province, remarkable founder of the Khudai Khidmatgarresistance movement against British colonial cross your mind in India.^[3]

He was a state and spiritual leader known insinuation his nonviolent opposition and ultimate pacifism; he was a worshipful Muslim and an advocate glossy magazine Hindu–Muslim unity in the subcontinent.^[4] Due to his similar ideologies and close friendship with Leader Gandhi, Khan was nicknamed Sarhadi Gandhi (सरहदी गांधी, 'the Boundary Gandhi').^[5][6] In 1929, Khan supported the Khudai Khidmatgar, an anti-colonial nonviolent resistance movement.^[7] The Khudai Khidmatgar's success and popularity ultimately prompted the colonial government relax launch numerous crackdowns against Caravanserai and his supporters; the Khudai Khidmatgar experienced some of significance most severe repression of glory entire Indian independence movement.^[8]

Khan powerfully opposed the proposal for distinction Partition of India into ethics Muslim-majority Dominion of Pakistan spreadsheet the Hindu-majority Dominion of Bharat, and consequently sided with justness pro-union Indian National Congress arena All-India Azad Muslim Conference disagree with the pro-partition All-India Muslim League.^[9][10][11] When the Indian National Hearing reluctantly declared its acceptance quite a lot of the partition plan without consulting the Khudai Khidmatgar leaders, explicit felt deeply betrayed, telling greatness Congress leaders "you have fearful us to the wolves."^[12] Reside in June 1947, Khan and time away Khudai Khidmatgar leaders formally separate the Bannu Resolution to decency British authorities, demanding that prestige ethnic Pashtuns be given spruce up choice to have an have good intentions state of Pashtunistan, which was to comprise all of excellence Pashtun territories of British Bharat and not be included (as almost all other Muslim-majority motherland were) within the state senior Pakistan—the creation of which was still underway at the adjourn. However, the British government refused the demands of this resolution.^[13][14] In response, Khan and rule elder brother, Abdul Jabbar Caravanserai, boycotted the 1947 North-West Boundary Province referendum on whether depiction province should be merged down India or Pakistan, objecting go off it did not offer options for the Pashtun-majority province behold become independent or to link neighbouring Afghanistan.^[15][16]

After the Partition prescription India by the British decide, Khan pledged allegiance to birth newly created nation of Pakistan, and stayed in the now-Pakistani North-West Frontier Province; he was frequently arrested by the Asian government between 1948 and 1954.^[17][18] In 1956, he was restraint for his opposition to loftiness One Unit program, under which the government announced its system to merge all the state of West Pakistan into dinky single unit to match integrity political structure of erstwhile Eastern Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). Khan was jailed or in exile by some years of the Decennary and 1970s. He was awarded Bharat Ratna, India's highest noncombatant award, by the Indian make in 1987.

Following his drive upon his death in Metropolis in 1988, he was covert at his house in Town, Afghanistan. Tens of thousands pointer mourners attended his funeral counting Afghan President Mohammad Najibullah, demonstration through the Khyber Pass running off Peshawar towards Jalalabad. It was marred by two bomb explosions that killed 15 people; neglect the heavy fighting at justness time due to the Soviet–Afghan War, both sides, namely leadership Soviet–Afghan government coalition and nobleness Afghan mujahideen, declared an not to be delayed ceasefire to allow Khan's burial.^[19] He was given military honors by the Afghan government.

Early years

Abdul Ghaffar Khan was whelped on 6 February 1890 walkout a prosperous Sunni MuslimMuhammadzaiPashtun descent from Utmanzai, Hashtnagar; they quick by the Jindee-a, a twig of the Swat River, cloudless what was then British India's Punjab province.^[1][9][20] His father, Abdul Bahram Khan, was a residents owner in Hashtnagar. Khan was the second son of Bahram to attend the British-run Edward's Mission School, which was illustriousness only fully-functioning school in glory region and which was administered by Christian missionaries. At secondary, Khan did well in crown studies, and was inspired impervious to his mentor, Reverend Wigram, befall seeing the crucial role tending played in service to loftiness local community. In his ordinal and final year of less important school, he was offered uncomplicated highly prestigious commission in greatness Corps of Guides regiment matching the British Indian Army. Caravanserai declined due to his databased feelings that even Guides' Amerind officers were still second-class human beings in their own nation. Sharp-tasting subsequently followed through with surmount initial desire to attend academia, and Reverend Wigram (Khan's teacher) offered him the opportunity far follow his brother, Abdul Jabbar Khan, to study in Author, England. After graduating from Aligarh Muslim University, Khan eventually stuffy permission from his father fall prey to travel to London. However, fulfil mother wasn't willing to gatehouse another son go to Writer, so he began working lump his father's lands in greatness process of figuring out jurisdiction next steps.^[21]

At the age interrupt 20 in 1910, Khan unlock a madrasa in his hometown of Utmanzai. In 1911, unquestionable joined the independence movement regard the Pashtun activist Haji Sahib of Turangzai. By 1915, magnanimity British colonial authorities had secure down Khan's madrasa, deeming close-fitting pro-Indian independence activism to hide a threat to their authority.^[22] Having witnessed the repeated paucity of Indian revolts against Brits rule, Khan decided that communal activism and reform would befall more beneficial for the heathenish Pashtuns. This led to honourableness formation of the Anjuman-e Islāh-e Afghānia (Pashto: انجمن اصلاح افاغنه, 'Afghan Reform Society') in 1921, and the youth movement Pax̌tūn Jirga (پښتون جرګه, 'Pashtun Assembly') in 1927. After Khan's reappear from the IslamicHajj pilgrimage be a consequence Mecca, Hejaz−Nejd (present-day Saudi Arabia) in May 1928, he supported the Pashto-language monthly political diary Pax̌tūn (پښتون, 'Pashtun'). Finally, snare November 1929, Khan founded position Khudāyī Khidmatgār (خدايي خدمتګار, 'Servants of God') movement, which would strongly advocate for the mention of British colonial rule become calm establishment of a unified stall independent India.^[8]

Ghaffar "Badshah" Khan

In response to his inability success continue his own education, Bacha Khan turned to helping excess start theirs. Like many much regions of the world, decency strategic importance of the latterly formed North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan), as regular buffer for the British Raj from Russian influence was symbolize little benefit to its inhabitants. Opposition to British colonial hold sway over, the authority of the mullahs, and an ancient culture cataclysm violence and vendetta prompted Bacha Khan to want to stifle and uplift his fellow troops body and women by means learn education. At 20 years help age, Bacha Khan opened coronate first school in Utmanzai. Obvious was an instant success stake he was soon invited attracted a larger circle of more and more minded reformers.

While he upright much opposition and personal indebted, Bacha Khan worked tirelessly cling on to organise and raise the apprehension of his fellow Pashtuns. In the middle of 1915 and 1918 he visited 500 villages in all fundamental nature of the settled districts have NWFP. It was in that frenzied activity that he esoteric come to be known despite the fact that Badshah (Bacha) Khan ("King ship Chiefs").^[21]

Being a secular Muslim be active did not believe in pious divisions. He married his chief wife Meharqanda in 1912; she was a daughter of Yar Mohammad Khan of the Kinankhel clan of the Mohammadzai ethnic group of Razzar, a village intimate to Utmanzai. They had spick son in 1913, Abdul Ghani Khan, who would become undiluted noted artist and poet. In the aftermath, they had another son, Abdul Wali Khan (17 January 1917 – 2006), and daughter, Sardaro. Meharqanda died during the 1918 influenza epidemic. In 1920, Bacha Khan remarried; his new helpmeet, Nambata, was a cousin manipulate his first wife and blue blood the gentry daughter of Sultan Mohammad Caravansary of Razzar. They had unmixed daughter, Mehar Taj (25 Might 1921 – 29 April 2012),^[23] and a son, Abdul Prizefighter Khan (20 August 1922 – 19 February 1997). Tragically, gradient 1926 Nambata died early by the same token well from a fall soothe the stairs of the entourage where they were staying in bad taste Jerusalem.^[20]

Khudai Khidmatgar

In time, Bacha Khan's goal came to be distinction formulation of a united, disconnected, secular India. To achieve that end, he founded the Khudai Khidmatgar ("Servants of God"), for the most part known as the "Red Shirts" (Surkh Pōsh), during the Decennium.

The Khudai Khidmatgar was supported on a belief in rank power of Gandhi's notion objection Satyagraha, a form of logical non-violence as captured in forceful oath. He told its members:

I am going to afford you such a weapon renounce the police and the herd will not be able repeat stand against it. It task the weapon of the Soothsayer, but you are not stupor of it. That weapon quite good patience and righteousness. No planning on earth can stand overwhelm it.^[24]

The organisation recruited over 100,000 members and became influential hoard the independence movement for their resistance to the colonial authority. Through strikes, political organisation put forward non-violent opposition, the Khudai Khidmatgar were able to achieve callous success and came to control the politics of NWFP. Ruler brother, Dr. Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan (known as Dr. Caravanserai Sahib), led the political self-discipline of the movement, and was the Chief Minister of representation province (from 1937 and substantiate until 1947 when his administration was dismissed by Mohammad Kalif Jinnah of the Muslim League).

Kissa Khwani Massacre

Main article: Qissa Khwani massacre

On 23 April 1930, Bacha Khan was arrested over protests arising out of leadership Salt Satyagraha. A crowd appreciated Khudai Khidmatgar gathered in Peshawar's Kissa Khwani (Storytellers) Bazaar. Birth colonial government ordered troops pin down open fire with machine instruments of war on the unarmed crowd, slaughter an estimated 200–250.^[25] The Khudai Khidmatgar members acted in permit with their training in non-violence under Bacha Khan, facing bullets as the troops fired decay them.^[26] Two platoons of ethics Garhwal Rifles regiment under Chandra Singh Garhwali refused to fiery on the non-violent crowd. They were later court-martialled and sentenced to a variety of punishments, including life imprisonment.^{[citation needed]}

Bacha Caravanserai and the Indian National Congress

Main article: Indian National Congress

Bacha Caravansary forged a close, spiritual, ground uninhibited friendship with Gandhi, rendering pioneer of non-violent mass civilian disobedience in India. The four had a deep admiration make a fuss of each other and worked unify closely till 1947.

Khudai Khidmatgar (servants of God) agitated illustrious worked cohesively with the Soldier National Congress (INC), the dazzling national organisation fighting for home rule, of which Bacha Khan was a senior and respected party. On several occasions when picture Congress seemed to disagree work stoppage Gandhi on policy, Bacha Caravanserai remained his staunchest ally. Make a way into 1931 the Congress offered him the presidency of the assemblage, but he refused saying, "I am a simple soldier jaunt Khudai Khidmatgar, and I one and only want to serve." He remained a member of the Period Working Committee for many eld, resigning only in 1939 due to of his differences with grandeur Party's War Policy. He rejoined the Congress Party when character War Policy was revised.

Bacha Khan was a champion oppress women's rights ^{[dubious – discuss]} dowel non-violence. He became a superstar in a society dominated soak violence; notwithstanding his liberal views, his unswerving faith and interpret bravery led to immense regard. Throughout his life, he at no time lost faith in his conciliatory methods or in the conformity of Islam and non-violence. Elegance recognised as a jihad labour with only the enemy retentive swords. He was closely firm with Gandhi because of wreath non-violence principles and he high opinion known in India as distinction 'Frontier Gandhi'. One of monarch Congress associates was Pandit Swayer Chand Boambwal of Peshawar.

O Pathans! Your house has decayed into ruin. Arise and reconstruct it, and remember to what race you belong.

— Ghaffar Khan^[27]

The Partition

Main article: Partition of India

See also: Bannu Resolution

Khan strongly opposed birth partition of India.^[9][10] Accused gorilla being anti-Muslim by some politicians, Khan was physically assaulted reaction 1946, leading to his hospitalization in Peshawar.^[28] On 21 June 1947, in Bannu, a loya jirga was held consisting topple Bacha Khan, the Khudai Khidmatgars, members of the Provincial Circle, Mirzali Khan (Faqir of Ipi), and other tribal chiefs, unprejudiced seven weeks before the separation. The loya jirga issueud rectitude Bannu Resolution, which demanded give it some thought the Pashtuns be given unadulterated choice to have an sovereign state of Pashtunistan composing boxing match Pashtun territories of British Bharat, instead of being made make available join either India or Pakistan. However, the British refused oppress comply with the demand dying this resolution.^[13][14]

The Congress Party refused last-ditch compromises to prevent probity partition, like the Cabinet Purpose Plan and Gandhi's suggestion tote up offer the position of Landmark Minister to Jinnah.

When leadership July 1947 NWFP Referendum award accession to Pakistan was restricted, Bacha Khan, the Khudai Khidmatgars, the then Chief Minister Caravanserai Sahib, and the Indian Formal Congress Party boycotted the opt. Some have argued that capital segment of the population was barred from voting.^[15]

Arrest and exile

Main article: Pakistan Movement

See also: Babrra massacre, National Awami Party, present-day One Unit

Bacha Khan took authority oath of allegiance to distinction new nation of Pakistan stay alive 23 February 1948 at greatness first session of the Pakistan Constituent Assembly.^[17][18]

He pledged full build to the government and attempted to reconcile with the leader of the new state Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Although initial style led to a successful unavailable in Karachi, a follow-up in use in the Khudai Khidmatgar HQ never materialised, allegedly due get into the role of NWFP Leading Minister, Abdul Qayyum Khan Dardic, who told Jinnah that Bacha Khan was plotting his assassination.^[29][30]

Following this, Bacha Khan formed Pakistan's first national opposition party, paying attention 8 May 1948, the Pakistan Azad Party. The party spoken for absorbed to play the role help constructive opposition and would reasonably non-communal in its philosophy.

However, suspicions of his allegiance persisted and under the new Asiatic government, Bacha Khan was located under house arrest without dominion from 1948 till 1954. Make money on 1954, Bacha Khan split swop his elder brother Khan Sahib after the latter joined interpretation Central Cabinet of Muhammad Calif Bogra as Minister for Connection. Released from prison, he gave a speech again on description floor of the National Party, this time condemning the blood bath of his supporters at Babrra.^[31]

I had to go to put inside many a time in glory days of the Britishers. Though we were at loggerheads gangster them, yet their treatment was to some extent tolerant become more intense polite. But the treatment which was meted out to compel to in this Islamic state lecture ours was such that Wild would not even like connected with mention it to you.^[32]

He was arrested several times after temper 1948. In 1956 he was arrested for opposing the Sidle Unit Scheme.^[33] The government attempted in 1958 to reconcile become accustomed him and offered him cool ministry in the government, tail end the assassination of his fellow-man, but he refused.^[34] He remained in prison till 1957 solitary to be re-arrested in 1958 until an illness in 1964 allowed for his release.^[35]

In 1962, Bacha Khan was named almighty "Amnesty International Prisoner of excellence Year". Amnesty's statement about him said, "His example symbolizes honourableness suffering of upward of fine million people all over loftiness world who are prisoners confiscate conscience."

In September 1964, nobleness Pakistani authorities allowed him die go to the United Territory for treatment. During the chill, his doctor advised him assume go to United States. Misstep then went into exile in all directions Afghanistan, he returned from banishment in December 1972 to typical support, following the establishment break into National Awami Party provincial governments in North West Frontier Region and Balochistan.

He was seizure by Prime Minister Zulfiqar Kalif Bhutto's government at Multan increase by two November 1973 and described Bhutto's government as "the worst thick-skinned of dictatorship".^[36]

In 1984, increasingly ex- from politics, he was out of action for the Nobel Peace Prize.^[37] He visited India and participated in the centennial celebrations fence the Indian National Congress principal 1985; he was awarded leadership Jawaharlal Nehru Award for Worldwide Understanding in 1967^[38] and afterward Bharat Ratna, India's highest neutral award, in 1987.^[39]

His final elder political challenge was against authority Kalabagh dam project, fearing turn the project would damage dignity Peshawar valley. His hostility would eventually lead to the activity being shelved after his death.^{[citation needed]}

Death

Bacha Khan died in Metropolis in 1988 from complications taste a stroke and was in the grave in his house at Town, Afghanistan.^[40] Over 200,000 mourners distressful his funeral, including the Envelope president Mohammad Najibullah. The at that time Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Solon went to Peshawar, to compromise his tributes to Bacha Caravanserai despite the fact that Universal Zia ul-Haq attempted to quit his attendance citing security logic. Additionally, the Indian government proclaimed a five-day period of blubbering in his honour.^[39] Although smartness had been repeatedly imprisoned contemporary persecuted, tens of thousands emancipation mourners attended his funeral, stated doubtful by one commentator as "a caravan of peace, carrying efficient message of love" from Pashtuns east of the Khyber profit those on the west,^[29] demo through the historic Khyber Label from Peshawar to Jalalabad. That symbolic march was planned timorous Bacha Khan, to affirmatively give your backing to his dream of Pashtun undividedness and to help that hope live on after his death.^{[citation needed]} A cease-fire was proclaimed in the Afghan Civil Fighting to allow the funeral manage take place, even though on easy street was marred by bomb explosions killing fifteen people.^[19]

Memorial

The Banaras Bridge in Karachi and the Bacha Khan Chowk it traverses lead as memorials to Abdul Ghaffar Khan.^[41] The chowk, named border line his honor, was a developmental and political landmark for nobleness local Pashtun community, is at once overshadowed by the flyover.

Pashtunistan

Abdul Ghaffar Khan took an swear of allegiance to Pakistan break open 1948 in the legislation troupe. When during his speech crystal-clear was asked by the Chancellor Liaquat Ali Khan about Pashtunistan, he replied that it was just a name for prestige Pashtun province in Pakistan, open-minded as Punjab, Bengal, Sindh, limit Baluchistan are the names suggest provinces of Pakistan as ethno-linguistic names,^[42] However, this compromise was apparently contrary to what proscribed believed in and strived supporting before partition: Pashtunistan as young adult independent state after the remissness of the idea of span united India.

Later on awarding 1980, during an interview trusty an Indian journalist, Haroon Siddiqui, in Jalalabad, Abdul Ghaffar Caravansary said

The idea never helped us. In fact, it was never a reality. Successive Coating governments just exploited it fit in their own political ends. Things was only towards the extremity of his regime that Daoud Khan had stopped talking increase in value it. And Taraki in honourableness early part of his organization also didn't mention it. Unexceptional when I met him, Side-splitting thanked him for not upbringing the issue. But later, unexcitable he raised the issue considering he wanted to continue primacy problem for Pakistan. Our be sociable suffered greatly because of transfix this.

^[43] He also said behave the same interview that "I'll live here. I'm now (for all intents and purposes) resolve Afghan. I'm not even annuity my son, Khan Abdul Wali Khan, political leader of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, craving visit me because he'll require that I go with him to Pakistan. But I don't want to go."

Family

Bacha Caravanserai married his first wife Meharqanda in 1912; she was excellent daughter of Yar Mohammad Caravansary of the Kinankhel clan comprehensive the Mohammadzai tribe of Razzar, a village adjacent to Utmanzai. They had a son make happen 1913, Abdul Ghani Khan, who would become a noted magician and poet. Subsequently, they abstruse another son, Abdul Wali Caravansary (17 January 1917 – 2006), and daughter, Sardaro. Meharqanda correctly during the 1918 influenza popular. In 1920, Bacha Khan remarried; his new wife, Nambata, was a cousin of his lid wife and the daughter wages Sultan Mohammad Khan of Razzar. They had a daughter, Mehar Taj (25 May 1921 – 29 April 2012),^[23] and well-ordered son, Abdul Ali Khan (20 August 1922 – 19 Feb 1997). Tragically, in 1926 Nambata died early as well deviate a fall down the vestige of the apartment where they were staying in Jerusalem.^[20]

Legacy

Bacha Khan's political legacy is renowned surrounded by Pashtuns^{[citation needed]} and those clasp modern Republic of India gorilla a leader of a mollifying movement. Within Pakistan, however, picture vast majority of society conspiracy questioned his stance with representation All India Congress over goodness Muslim League as well likewise his opposition to the splitting up of India and Jinnah. Make out particular, people have questioned ring Bacha Khan's patriotism rests.

His eldest son Ghani Khan was a poet. Ghani Khan's helpmate, Roshan, was from a Parsi family and was the girl of Nawab Rustam Jang, clean up prince of Hyderabad.^[44] His in no time at all son, Abdul Wali Khan, was the founder and leader pounce on the Awami National Party foreign 1986 to 2006, and was the Leader of the Counteraction in the Pakistan National Circle from 1988 to 1990.

His third son Abdul Ali Caravansary was non-political and a exceptional educator, and served as Heroine of University of Peshawar. Kaliph Khan was also the attitude of Aitchison College in City and Fazle Haq College put in Mardan.

His niece Mariam mated Jaswant Singh in 1939. Jaswant Singh was a young Nation Indian airforce officer and was Sikh by faith. Mariam posterior converted to Christianity.^[45]

Mohammed Yahya, Tuition Minister of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, was the only son-in-law of Bacha Khan.

Asfandyar Wali Khan hype the grandson of Abdul Ghaffar Khan, and was the emperor of the Awami National Piece. The party was in motivating force from 2008 to 2013.

Zarine Khan Walsh, who lives loaded Mumbai, is the granddaughter hegemony Abdul Ghaffar Khan and was the second daughter of Abdul Ghaffar Khan's eldest son Abdul Ghani Khan.^[46]

The All India Pakhtoon Jirga-e-Hind is chaired by Yasmin Nigar Khan, who claims surrender be the great-granddaughter of Abdul Ghaffar Khan.^[47][48]Awami National Party chairman Asfandyar Wali Khan rejected dignity claim, though a cultural administration official clarified that Yasmin Nigar Khan was a descendant thoroughgoing Abdul Ghaffar Khan's "adopted" son.^[46]

Salma Ataullahjan is the great-grandniece refreshing Abdul Ghaffar Khan and copperplate member of the Senate cosy up Canada.

Film, literature and society

In 2008, a documentary, titled The Frontier Gandhi: Badshah Khan, clever Torch for Peace, by film-maker and writer T.C. McLuhan, premiered in New York. The lp received the 2009 award financial assistance Best Documentary Film at probity Middle East International Film Celebration (see film page).

In 1990, Abdul Kabeer Siddiqui of Amerindic National TV made a 30-minute English-language biographical documentary film perversion Badshah Khan, titled The Good Man. It was telecast favour Doordarshan.

In Richard Attenborough's 1982 epic Gandhi, Bacha Khan was portrayed by Dilsher Singh.

In his home city of City, the Bacha Khan International Drome is named after him.

In his hometown Charsadda, the Bacha Khan University is named back end him.

Bacha Khan was catalogued as one of 26 other ranks who changed the world satisfy a recent children's book accessible in the United States, parallel Tiger Woods and Yo-Yo Ma.^[49] He also wrote an reminiscences annals (1969), and has been high-mindedness subject of biographies by Eknath Easwaran (see article) and Rajmohan Gandhi (see "References" section, below). His philosophy of Islamic passivism was recognised by US Commentator of State Hillary Clinton, boardwalk a speech to American Muslims.^[50]

In the Indian city of Metropolis, the popular Khan Market laboratory analysis named in his honour, congress with Ghaffar market in character Karol Bagh area of Unique Delhi.^[51][52] In Mumbai, a seafront road and promenade in dignity Worli neighbourhood was named Caravansary Abdul Ghaffar Khan Marg astern him.

See also

References

External links