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The Frontier Gandhi: My Life and Struggle: The Autobiography of Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Autobiography of Badshah Khan (also known as Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Frontier Gandhi and Bacha Khan) as narrated to K.B. Narang. Badshah Khan was the leader of the Khudai Khidmatgar (also known as the Red Shirts) in NWFP.
577 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1969
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About the author
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
8 books46 followers"The Frontier Ghandi" - read this man's remarkable biography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan_Abd...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 18, 2016
I read this book both in Urdu and Pashto and if you can read Pashto script then I will suggest you to read it in Pashto language . the reason is Urdu translation is oversimplified and hence lack continuity in text .
this too was my first Pashto read and I loved it. it was like listening to my elders. Bacha khan baba had a way of explaining complex and taboo topics in the most convincing way . its not just his biography rather he discussed almost every aspect of our culture . he criticized outdated and unnecessary traditions weather its birth of children , marriages , death, religious occasions and so on . the best thing is this wasn't just verbal criticism instead he practically stood for his ideals .
every one refer bacha khan as a preacher of nonviolence but his services for spreading education among most backward people (Pashtuns) by opening schools through out the province is what I am most inspired of .
I would recommend this book to all those fed up with state propaganda calling him "ghaddar" (traitor) . read it with an open mind . you may disagree with his political ideas but you cant deny his social services .
this too was my first Pashto read and I loved it. it was like listening to my elders. Bacha khan baba had a way of explaining complex and taboo topics in the most convincing way . its not just his biography rather he discussed almost every aspect of our culture . he criticized outdated and unnecessary traditions weather its birth of children , marriages , death, religious occasions and so on . the best thing is this wasn't just verbal criticism instead he practically stood for his ideals .
every one refer bacha khan as a preacher of nonviolence but his services for spreading education among most backward people (Pashtuns) by opening schools through out the province is what I am most inspired of .
I would recommend this book to all those fed up with state propaganda calling him "ghaddar" (traitor) . read it with an open mind . you may disagree with his political ideas but you cant deny his social services .
December 31, 2015
Somewhere around 1942 a reporter asked Gandhi "How can one who has spent his whole life in fighting take to ahimsa with success ?" answering him Gandhi given two examples, first his mentor Leo Tolstoy and another was Badshah Khan. A Pathan who embraced non violence in land where no man complete his attire without sword and gun". Probably that time Gandhi also didn't knew that Badshah khan will struggle till very last breath of his life, spending half of his live in Jail but never moved an inch from ideology of truth and non violence.
Also have one request to publisher, this cover picture looks totally incomplete without Tolstoy.
Also have one request to publisher, this cover picture looks totally incomplete without Tolstoy.
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January 16, 2022Indian polity is entrenched in the movement that led to the establishment of our Republic. Although most of our constitution and all our major institutions are based on the remnants of the British era, the very basis of India is independence from the British. The national lore is pivoted on 15th of August 1947. The grand narrative is freedom at midnight. Mahatma Gandhi is 'father of the nation'. And all his acolytes were accorded suitable epithets.
Hailing from the North-West of undivided India, on the borders of Afghanistan, Ghaffar Khan was known as 'Frontier Gandhi', owing to his undying commitment to non-violence, which was his personal conviction that happened to resonate with the world famous Indian leader. But the two were similar in another regard: both were minor-league politicians, unable to manoeuvre an India adrift in geo-political upheavals, and ended up incapacitating their core constituents.
Khan was unsophisticated in his writing, prejudiced against Punjabis, appreciative of British bravery and patriotism, distressed at his years of imprisonment, and at one point critical of Pashtun pederasty in Peshawari Prisons. He held a utilitarian view of religion, a view shared with Gandhi, and was a critical opponent of the orthodoxy in Islam, while at the same time working closely with Deoband. His entire political career was spent fighting the Muslim League, shepherding Pashtuns into an ethnic polity, ending up in an alliance with the Congress for a free united India. As we are well aware, that was not to be.
According to Khan, who spent fifteen years imprisoned in the newly formed Pakistan, the cause behind his and India's misfortune was the connivance of the Muslim League with the wily British. As with other accounts of that era, there is some finger pointing, a bit of mudslinging, and a general air of dissatisfaction. Everyone wanted the British to leave. But none were happy when they actually did. As for the causes behind the partition, nobody knows.
Hailing from the North-West of undivided India, on the borders of Afghanistan, Ghaffar Khan was known as 'Frontier Gandhi', owing to his undying commitment to non-violence, which was his personal conviction that happened to resonate with the world famous Indian leader. But the two were similar in another regard: both were minor-league politicians, unable to manoeuvre an India adrift in geo-political upheavals, and ended up incapacitating their core constituents.
Khan was unsophisticated in his writing, prejudiced against Punjabis, appreciative of British bravery and patriotism, distressed at his years of imprisonment, and at one point critical of Pashtun pederasty in Peshawari Prisons. He held a utilitarian view of religion, a view shared with Gandhi, and was a critical opponent of the orthodoxy in Islam, while at the same time working closely with Deoband. His entire political career was spent fighting the Muslim League, shepherding Pashtuns into an ethnic polity, ending up in an alliance with the Congress for a free united India. As we are well aware, that was not to be.
According to Khan, who spent fifteen years imprisoned in the newly formed Pakistan, the cause behind his and India's misfortune was the connivance of the Muslim League with the wily British. As with other accounts of that era, there is some finger pointing, a bit of mudslinging, and a general air of dissatisfaction. Everyone wanted the British to leave. But none were happy when they actually did. As for the causes behind the partition, nobody knows.
June 15, 2022
Reading books on the modern history of India, I was intrigued by the small portions praising the work of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan(KAGK/ Bacha Khan) and the Khudai Khidmatgar in the North West Frontier Province(NWFP). I wanted to know why did the partition referendum in the NWFP end up in favour of Pakistan? When the government in NWFP was in favour of the INC and Khudai Khidmatgar coalition and had won the popular elections in 1946, why did they abstain from participating in the referendum? KAGK's autobiography reflects on his involvement and opinions on these and much more.
The book serves as a window to the traditional Pukhtun society and culture of his times. I would like to thank the author, Mr Sahibzada, for providing a comprehensive glossary, explaining various traditional terms of pukhtoon society. The book presents some beautiful nationalist poems in Pukhto, which have been translated well by the author to preserve its true flavour. These made the reading experience richer.
Bacha Khan's contribution to the development and survival of a diminishing Pukhtun culture is immense. The book dwells on his struggles to build madrassahs and bring modern education in the local language to the backward remote areas, facing opposition from conservative forces; The development of the 'Pukhtoon' periodical in the Pukhto language, developed regular newspaper reading habits in the province's population and helped build political consciousness; Building the Khudai Khidmatgar into a large organisation of loyalists, all sworn to non violence and high ethical standards to help develop Pukhtoon society.
A large chunk of the book goes over his many travels in the region, raising awareness about their culture, warning against the influences of the British, stressing the importance of education and spreading a message of peace. This becomes repetitive at times. Some people mentioned in the book have similar sounding names, and the author goes with their long format full names, which could have made it even more confusing if there had been many callbacks.
There are chapters dedicated to Bacha Khan's life in prison. He spent a majority of his life in prisons across the length and breadth of India. It is exciting to read about his meetings, conversations and opinions on various leaders of the struggle. From meeting Lala Lajpat Rai in Lahore, to Devdas Gandhi in Gujarat, to Rajendra Prasad in Hazaribagh, the book highlights how prison life and fellow political prisoners influenced the course of the struggle and impacted him. Getting to know that he stuck to his ideals of non cooperation and non violence even under extreme turbulence left me impressed and motivated.
Bacha Khan's chance engagement with the INC, leading to him becoming a major influencer and member of the party representing the NWFP impacted most of his political life. The book goes over his travels all over India, holding rallies and building awareness for the freedom struggle and influencing it.
The book also gives valuable insights into life in Sevagram and Wardha, where Bacha Khan spent time with Gandhiji, planning for the struggle and serving the people of the region. It amuses me that even before his meeting with Gandhiji or knowing of him and being influenced by him, his work was along Gandhian lines of ahimsa of satyagraha and grassroots development.
With the 1937 provincial elections, the Khudai Khidmatgar formed the government in the NWFP. This book provides region specific insights into the issues faced by the new political structure based on popular vote; the difficulties in engaging the conservative bureaucracy and balancing power with the Union despite British interference; the influence of power on the Khudai Khidmatgar, with corruption seeping into the organisation.
The prevailing persistent chaos on both sides of the Durand Line needs another man like Bacha Khan to unite the people and bring peace. A peaceful South Asia is essential for the growth and development of the whole region.
The book serves as a window to the traditional Pukhtun society and culture of his times. I would like to thank the author, Mr Sahibzada, for providing a comprehensive glossary, explaining various traditional terms of pukhtoon society. The book presents some beautiful nationalist poems in Pukhto, which have been translated well by the author to preserve its true flavour. These made the reading experience richer.
Bacha Khan's contribution to the development and survival of a diminishing Pukhtun culture is immense. The book dwells on his struggles to build madrassahs and bring modern education in the local language to the backward remote areas, facing opposition from conservative forces; The development of the 'Pukhtoon' periodical in the Pukhto language, developed regular newspaper reading habits in the province's population and helped build political consciousness; Building the Khudai Khidmatgar into a large organisation of loyalists, all sworn to non violence and high ethical standards to help develop Pukhtoon society.
A large chunk of the book goes over his many travels in the region, raising awareness about their culture, warning against the influences of the British, stressing the importance of education and spreading a message of peace. This becomes repetitive at times. Some people mentioned in the book have similar sounding names, and the author goes with their long format full names, which could have made it even more confusing if there had been many callbacks.
There are chapters dedicated to Bacha Khan's life in prison. He spent a majority of his life in prisons across the length and breadth of India. It is exciting to read about his meetings, conversations and opinions on various leaders of the struggle. From meeting Lala Lajpat Rai in Lahore, to Devdas Gandhi in Gujarat, to Rajendra Prasad in Hazaribagh, the book highlights how prison life and fellow political prisoners influenced the course of the struggle and impacted him. Getting to know that he stuck to his ideals of non cooperation and non violence even under extreme turbulence left me impressed and motivated.
Bacha Khan's chance engagement with the INC, leading to him becoming a major influencer and member of the party representing the NWFP impacted most of his political life. The book goes over his travels all over India, holding rallies and building awareness for the freedom struggle and influencing it.
The book also gives valuable insights into life in Sevagram and Wardha, where Bacha Khan spent time with Gandhiji, planning for the struggle and serving the people of the region. It amuses me that even before his meeting with Gandhiji or knowing of him and being influenced by him, his work was along Gandhian lines of ahimsa of satyagraha and grassroots development.
With the 1937 provincial elections, the Khudai Khidmatgar formed the government in the NWFP. This book provides region specific insights into the issues faced by the new political structure based on popular vote; the difficulties in engaging the conservative bureaucracy and balancing power with the Union despite British interference; the influence of power on the Khudai Khidmatgar, with corruption seeping into the organisation.
The prevailing persistent chaos on both sides of the Durand Line needs another man like Bacha Khan to unite the people and bring peace. A peaceful South Asia is essential for the growth and development of the whole region.
January 20, 2024
It was a great journey with the autobiography of Khan Abdul Ghafar Khan (Badsha Khan).
His life teaches us the true lesson of passion and patriotism. He was an epitome of love, respect, tolerance, companionship and devotion for his countrymen.
His life teaches us the true lesson of passion and patriotism. He was an epitome of love, respect, tolerance, companionship and devotion for his countrymen.
January 23, 2016
i want to study the whole life of Bacha Khan
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2025
Unpolished review/thoughts: Badshah Khan talks about his travels through undivided India and Afghanistan - going from city to city, often having to dodge police and military checkposts - but still for me his recounting hnderscores how much we have lost with the partition of India and Pakistan and the bordering up of Afghanistan. Badshah Khan briefly talks about his travels to Saudi for Hajj and then how he went on a trip from there to Jerusalem/Palestine and then Egypt. What a world we have lost.
- More thoughts later
- More thoughts later
April 11, 2021
When we look back at our history, almost every country in the world has experienced colonisation, massive violence and bloodshed due to different conflicts, based on region or religion or racial discriminations. There were great leaders who fought for independence and well being of the society. Sadly, most of them remained unmentioned in the history books and their stories and experiences remained untold and unknown to this present generation. Abdul Ghaffar was one of them.
My life and struggle is an English translation of the autobiography of the renowned Pukhtun social reformer and political leader, Abdul Ghaffar Khan. He always stood for Hindu-Muslim unity in the Indian subcontinent and strongly opposed the idea of the Partition of India. He struggled for the rights of women, children, the threatened, the poor and other oppressed groups, which made him quite popular among the masses. Abdul Ghaffar Khan was an ardent supporter of non violence and a great friend of Mahatma Gandhi. Ghaffar Khan’s solution for sustainable human development, co existence and peace were based on key principles of nonviolence, education, service, equality and faith. He started a group called Khudai Khidmatgar with a motive to spread peace. He is deeply remembered for his efforts towards social uplift during the independence struggle.
Abdul Ghaffar khan was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1987 by the Government of India for his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle and for better relations between the two countries, India and Pakistan. In today's world, where many kinds of divides like economic, regional or racial divides are existing, Khan's message through this book is still relevant.
This book is a must read one for everyone, especially for people of both countries, India and Pakistan. This generation must know about the historical legacy of Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
My life and struggle is an English translation of the autobiography of the renowned Pukhtun social reformer and political leader, Abdul Ghaffar Khan. He always stood for Hindu-Muslim unity in the Indian subcontinent and strongly opposed the idea of the Partition of India. He struggled for the rights of women, children, the threatened, the poor and other oppressed groups, which made him quite popular among the masses. Abdul Ghaffar Khan was an ardent supporter of non violence and a great friend of Mahatma Gandhi. Ghaffar Khan’s solution for sustainable human development, co existence and peace were based on key principles of nonviolence, education, service, equality and faith. He started a group called Khudai Khidmatgar with a motive to spread peace. He is deeply remembered for his efforts towards social uplift during the independence struggle.
Abdul Ghaffar khan was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1987 by the Government of India for his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle and for better relations between the two countries, India and Pakistan. In today's world, where many kinds of divides like economic, regional or racial divides are existing, Khan's message through this book is still relevant.
This book is a must read one for everyone, especially for people of both countries, India and Pakistan. This generation must know about the historical legacy of Abdul Ghaffar Khan.
May 30, 2021
زما ژوند او جدوجهد د خان عبدالغفار خان لخوا
یوه سیاسي ژوند لیک چې په اصل کې کلتوري او تاریخي یاد دی چې د برټش دور کې د پښتون فعال لمړني حسابونه پکې شامل دي. د خپل شخصي ژوند سره د کتاب پیل کول ، باچا خان د خلکو تشریح کوي چې د پوهیدو لپاره یوه انګيزه ده لاهم هغه هڅه کوي. د دې ټولنې میلمه پالنه ، یووالي ، او خواخوږي د پام وړ ندي. هغه د پیش کونکي په توګه پرمخ ځي چې کلتور ته په ټکو کې ویل کیږي چې د دې تعریف کوي او که انتقاد وکړي نو که دوی د هغه په نظر کې درناوی ونلري.
د هغه سیاسي ژوند په ډیر ځوان عمر کې د انګلیس نیواک لاندې واکمن پښتنو سره د یوځای کیدو غورځنګ سره پیل شو. پداسې حال کې چې هغه د هرچا په اړه پاملرنه کړې مګر په اصل کې ، هغه په استعماري نړۍ کې د پښتنو حقونو په اړه پاملرنه کوي. هغه جیل ته چې هغه باید د سم شي لپاره ودریږي هغه څه وه چې هغه عادت شو او له خپلو پیروانو یې وغوښتل چې تل د سم کار لپاره ودریږي. د هغه د ژوند یوه برخه په جیل کې تیره شوې هغه هیڅکله تاوتریخوالی نه دی کارولی او تل یې د سوله ایز لاریون غوښتونکی دی. هغه د خدای خدمتګر په نوم یوه موسسه تاسیس کړه او هدف یې تر دې ډیر دی. مقاومت یوازې په فلمونو کې ښه دی. دا په واقعیت کې هیڅ ځای نلري. د کانګریس لوی ملاتړ کونکی مګر احساس یې وکړ چې هغه د تقسیم پرمهال خیانت شوی. هغه د پښتنو لپاره یو جلا ملت تصور کړ چیرې چې د دوی حقوق خوندي کیږي او هیڅکله به د نورو تر سیوري لاندې ژوند نه کوي.
په دې وخت کې لیکل خورا ښه دی مګر په ځینې وختونو کې تکرار لري. پداسې حال کې چې هغه ممکن ډیر ښه لیکوال نه و ، ځکه چې هغه په واقعی معنی کې لیکوال نه و ، مګر د هغه د ژوند ښه کیسه لیکونکی دي. د دې لپاره لاړ شئ که تاسو د داسې لوستلو په لټه کې یاست چې د برتانوي استعمار ، هندو مسلم اتحاد ، او تقسیم پښتون لید څرګندوي.
مننه.
یوه سیاسي ژوند لیک چې په اصل کې کلتوري او تاریخي یاد دی چې د برټش دور کې د پښتون فعال لمړني حسابونه پکې شامل دي. د خپل شخصي ژوند سره د کتاب پیل کول ، باچا خان د خلکو تشریح کوي چې د پوهیدو لپاره یوه انګيزه ده لاهم هغه هڅه کوي. د دې ټولنې میلمه پالنه ، یووالي ، او خواخوږي د پام وړ ندي. هغه د پیش کونکي په توګه پرمخ ځي چې کلتور ته په ټکو کې ویل کیږي چې د دې تعریف کوي او که انتقاد وکړي نو که دوی د هغه په نظر کې درناوی ونلري.
د هغه سیاسي ژوند په ډیر ځوان عمر کې د انګلیس نیواک لاندې واکمن پښتنو سره د یوځای کیدو غورځنګ سره پیل شو. پداسې حال کې چې هغه د هرچا په اړه پاملرنه کړې مګر په اصل کې ، هغه په استعماري نړۍ کې د پښتنو حقونو په اړه پاملرنه کوي. هغه جیل ته چې هغه باید د سم شي لپاره ودریږي هغه څه وه چې هغه عادت شو او له خپلو پیروانو یې وغوښتل چې تل د سم کار لپاره ودریږي. د هغه د ژوند یوه برخه په جیل کې تیره شوې هغه هیڅکله تاوتریخوالی نه دی کارولی او تل یې د سوله ایز لاریون غوښتونکی دی. هغه د خدای خدمتګر په نوم یوه موسسه تاسیس کړه او هدف یې تر دې ډیر دی. مقاومت یوازې په فلمونو کې ښه دی. دا په واقعیت کې هیڅ ځای نلري. د کانګریس لوی ملاتړ کونکی مګر احساس یې وکړ چې هغه د تقسیم پرمهال خیانت شوی. هغه د پښتنو لپاره یو جلا ملت تصور کړ چیرې چې د دوی حقوق خوندي کیږي او هیڅکله به د نورو تر سیوري لاندې ژوند نه کوي.
په دې وخت کې لیکل خورا ښه دی مګر په ځینې وختونو کې تکرار لري. پداسې حال کې چې هغه ممکن ډیر ښه لیکوال نه و ، ځکه چې هغه په واقعی معنی کې لیکوال نه و ، مګر د هغه د ژوند ښه کیسه لیکونکی دي. د دې لپاره لاړ شئ که تاسو د داسې لوستلو په لټه کې یاست چې د برتانوي استعمار ، هندو مسلم اتحاد ، او تقسیم پښتون لید څرګندوي.
مننه.
Want to read
January 25, 2015I want to read it only
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
January 10, 2016bacha khan ..true love
November 14, 2016
د باچاخان علیه رحمه دا کتاب د زغم، مينې، پياوړتيا، عدم تشدد او فکري ويښتابه له درسونو ډک دی. هر څوک يې بايد په ژوند کې يو ځل ولولي.
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March 14, 2017a very good example for the "other side of story"
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January 15, 2016wonderful book of great BACHA KHAN, a true legend
March 19, 2021
My life and struggle, The autobiography of Abdul Ghaffar Khan is the story of a brave man who not only fought non violently to free India from the yoke of British colonialism but he also stood for Hindu-Muslim unity, women empowerment and the reformation of Pakhtuns for a better and just society.
For the detailed article you can visit my website - https://dontbignorant.in/abdul-ghaffa...
For the detailed article you can visit my website - https://dontbignorant.in/abdul-ghaffa...
January 11, 2023
These leaders writing only books to make history by which their coming generations will be in power and he succeed. His great grand children are in parliament, power and wealthy. For whom this failed leader started his struggle a 100 years before, they are still poor voters with no schools, hospitals and living standard. Such a pity and shame.
December 7, 2019
I read this book in pashtoo, I want read it in english also, I am really impresssed from their ideology of non-violence.
Want to read
March 1, 2020I want an English pdf with text searchable.
May 13, 2020
Good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2025
bacha khan a great leader
January 29, 2025
Reading this was truly life changing, it touched my heart and gave me a whole new perspective.
January 1, 2022
Khan Abdul Ghafar khan was known as Badshah khan because people of his hometown called him their King. They were looking up to him and Badshah khan didn't let them down. He fought the British colonization for them. He made schools for their young when the British and Mullas were closing them and destroying them. He went to jail several time because of his love for Pashtun people. He spent 27 years of his life behind the bars in both, British and Pakistan government.
This is a must read book for people of both country who took this freedom for granted. They should know about the life of Badshah khan as well as Gandhiji.
This is a must read book for people of both country who took this freedom for granted. They should know about the life of Badshah khan as well as Gandhiji.
April 14, 2019
It is a pity I could not read it in the original language
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews