In the context of the Indian national movement, the "Red Shirts" or Khudai Khidmatgar movement in the North West Frontier Province was led by which freedom fighter?

Introduction / Context:
The Khudai Khidmatgar movement, popularly known as the "Red Shirts" because of the distinctive red uniforms worn by its volunteers, was a powerful non violent movement in the North West Frontier Province during the Indian freedom struggle. It championed both social reform and opposition to British rule. Knowing who led this movement helps connect regional struggles on the frontier with the wider all India campaign directed by the Congress and Mahatma Gandhi.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The movement referred to is the "Red Shirts" or Khudai Khidmatgar. - It operated in the North West Frontier Province (now in Pakistan). - The options include Maulana Azad, Mohammed Ali, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Asfaqulla Khan. - We assume standard accounts of the provincial and national leadership of the freedom struggle.

Concept / Approach:
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Frontier Gandhi, founded and led the Khudai Khidmatgar movement among the Pashtun population. He promoted education, social uplift and strict adherence to non violent resistance, aligning his movement with the principles advocated by Mahatma Gandhi. Maulana Azad was a national level Congress leader, Mohammed Ali was associated with the Khilafat Movement, and Asfaqulla Khan was a revolutionary involved in the Kakori conspiracy. None of these were the main leaders of the Red Shirts in the frontier region.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the Khudai Khidmatgar movement was centred in the North West Frontier Province. Step 2: Recall that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, nicknamed Frontier Gandhi, worked among the Pashtuns there for reform and national awakening. Step 3: Remember that his volunteers wore red shirts, which gave the movement its popular name. Step 4: Maulana Azad played a major role at the national level but is not credited as the specific organiser of this frontier based movement. Step 5: Mohammed Ali is linked more with the Khilafat Movement, and Asfaqulla Khan with revolutionary activities, not with Khudai Khidmatgar. Step 6: Therefore, the leader of the Red Shirts movement was Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

Verification / Alternative check:
Histories of the Indian national movement consistently identify Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan as the founder and chief of the Khudai Khidmatgar. Accounts describe how he organised Pashtun villagers into disciplined non violent squads in red uniforms, which stood up to repression and supported civil disobedience campaigns. Photographs and contemporary reports repeatedly link his name with this movement, while the other personalities listed in the options are discussed in very different contexts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maulana Azad: A prominent Congress leader and scholar, but not the organiser of the frontier based Red Shirts movement.
Mohammed Ali: Associated with the Khilafat and pan Islamic politics rather than with the Khudai Khidmatgar in the Frontier Province.
Asfaqulla Khan: Remembered as a revolutionary martyr involved in the Kakori train conspiracy, not as a non violent mass movement leader in this region.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several leaders shared similar names and were involved in Muslim related political causes, students sometimes mix up Mohammed Ali and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Another mistake is to assume that any major movement must be led by national figures like Maulana Azad, overlooking important regional leaders. Linking the words "Frontier Gandhi" and "Red Shirts" mentally with Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan is a useful memory aid.

Final Answer:
The "Red Shirts" or Khudai Khidmatgar movement was led by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.