During the Indian freedom struggle, the Khudai Khidmatgars or Red Shirts (Lal Kurtis) led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan primarily called for which of the following aims?

Introduction / Context:
The Khudai Khidmatgars, popularly known as the Red Shirts because of their distinctive uniforms, were a unique non violent movement among the Pashtun or Pathan population of the North West Frontier Province during the Indian freedom struggle. Led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, often called Frontier Gandhi, they allied closely with the Indian National Congress and Gandhian methods. This question asks what their primary aim was, which reveals how regional movements connected with the all India struggle.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The organisation is the Khudai Khidmatgars or Red Shirts.
• It operated mainly among Pathans in the north west frontier region.
• Options describe different possible aims including nationalist unity, union with Afghanistan, terrorism, and communist revolution.

Concept / Approach:
The Khudai Khidmatgar movement emphasised non violent resistance, social reform, and education among the Pathans. It aimed to unite them as a disciplined community in the struggle against British rule, following Gandhian techniques. It did not seek violent terrorism, nor did it officially demand union with Afghanistan or adopt a communist revolutionary ideology. Therefore, we must choose the option that highlights Pathan nationalist unity and non violent struggle against colonialism.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan as a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, committed to non violence. Step 2: Recall that his organisation trained Pathans to adopt peaceful discipline, social service, and civil disobedience. Step 3: Understand that their uniform and drill symbolised unity rather than militaristic violence. Step 4: Recognise that the movement sought to integrate the Pathan population into the larger Indian national movement rather than demand union with Afghanistan. Step 5: Note that their ideology was essentially Gandhian and not explicitly communist or terrorist. Step 6: Conclude that the correct aim is Pathan nationalist unity and a struggle against colonialism through non violent means.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical accounts of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement emphasise its oath to non violence, its social reform work, and its alliance with the Indian National Congress. There is no evidence that its official programme included union with Afghanistan or adoption of terrorist methods.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The idea of uniting Pashtun areas with Afghanistan was not the central official demand of the Khudai Khidmatgars. They also rejected violent terrorist methods and did not base their programme on communist revolutionary ideology. These options misrepresent the non violent ethos of the movement.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes associate any militant sounding name or uniform with violent methods, which can mislead them into picking the terrorism option. Remember that the Red Shirts were famous precisely because they combined a military style discipline with a commitment to non violence.

Final Answer:
The Khudai Khidmatgars primarily called for Pathan nationalist unity and a non violent struggle against colonialism.