Which freedom fighter and Pashtun leader is popularly referred to as "Frontier Gandhi"?

Introduction / Context:
Many prominent leaders in the Indian freedom struggle and related movements were given descriptive titles that captured their character and contributions. One such title is "Frontier Gandhi", used for a leader who worked among the Pashtun people in the North West Frontier region and followed non violent principles similar to Mahatma Gandhi. This question checks whether candidates can correctly match that title with the right person.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The title in question is "Frontier Gandhi".
• The options list several famous political and national leaders from the Indian subcontinent.
• Only one of them is historically known by this exact epithet.
• We assume familiarity with key figures of the Indian independence movement and their nicknames.

Concept / Approach:
"Frontier Gandhi" refers to Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Badshah Khan. He was a Pashtun independence activist who led the Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God) movement and strongly advocated non violence, echoing Mahatma Gandhi's principles. His movement operated mainly in the North West Frontier Province, hence the word "Frontier" in his title. None of the other leaders in the options are commonly described this way.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that "Frontier Gandhi" was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and shared his commitment to non violent struggle.Step 2: Remember that this leader was active among the Pashtuns of the North West Frontier region.Step 3: Identify this person as Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, the founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.Step 4: Compare the name with the options and select "Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan".Step 5: Eliminate other options by considering their known titles and regions of influence.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by matching each other option with their familiar titles. Sheikh Abdullah is often called the "Lion of Kashmir". Manilal Gandhi was one of Mahatma Gandhi's sons and did not receive this kind of public epithet. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was known as a political mentor to Gandhi and a moderate leader but not as "Frontier Gandhi". Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a senior Congress leader and India's first Education Minister, called "Maulana Azad", not "Frontier Gandhi". This leaves Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan as the correct and widely recognised match.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sheikh Abdullah worked mainly in Jammu and Kashmir politics and has different titles. Manilal Gandhi, though related to Mahatma Gandhi, was not the leader of the North West Frontier non violent movement. Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Maulana Azad played crucial roles in the national movement but are not associated with the frontier region or with the Pashtun non violent campaign. None of them carry the nickname "Frontier Gandhi", so choosing them would be factually incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates mix up epithets because many leaders are discussed together in freedom struggle chapters. Under pressure, they may see the word "Gandhi" and pick Manilal Gandhi simply due to the surname. Others may guess based on familiarity without connecting the word "Frontier" with the North West Frontier Province. To avoid errors, it is helpful to link epithets with specific regions and movements, for example, "Frontier Gandhi" with the North West Frontier and Pashtun non violent struggle under Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan.