UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies

Question 123: History and Culture

During the Indian freedom struggle, the Khudai Khidmatgars, also known as Red Shirts, called for

athe Union of Pashtun tribal areas in north-west with the Afghanistan

bthe adoption of terrorist tactics and methods for terrorising and finally ousting the colonial rulers

cthe adoption of communist revolutionary ideology for political and social reform

dthe Pathan regional nationalist unity and a struggle against colonialism

AnswerThe answer is (d).

The Khudai Khidmatgars, or Red Shirts, were founded by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in the North-West Frontier Province in 1929. They were a non-violent Pathan movement that opposed British rule and allied with the Congress. They stood for Pathan unity and regional nationalism, not for union with Afghanistan, terrorism or communism. The name comes from their red uniforms.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) They did not seek union with Afghanistan.
(b) They were non-violent, not terrorist.
(c) They did not adopt communist ideology.
(d) Right: Pathan regional nationalism and a struggle against colonialism.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

Practise this paper timedPrevious question Next question

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.