The Pashtun leader who peacefully defied the British Empire | Al Jazeera World Documentary

This is the story of the extraordinary life of the Pashtun leader Bacha Khan, who fought to end British colonial rule in northwest India by non-violent means at the same time as Mahatma Gandhi campaigned across the rest of the country.

Khan was from the border region straddling parts of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. Even though he advocated peaceful resistance, he still spent 15 years in jail. When Britain granted Indian independence in 1947, Khan initially opposed its partition into two separate countries, India and Pakistan. He later backed down - but then called for an autonomous "Pashtunistan", which landed him in jail again, this time under the new Pakistani government.

When Bacha Khan died in 1988, aged 98, hundreds of thousands of mourners paid their respects and India, Pakistan and Afghanistan all lowered their flags in tribute. Until recently, Khan was written out of school history books in Pakistan, but he is now recognised for his achievements as an educator, campaigner and opponent of colonial rule.

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[muhammadlouqman]

Al Jazeera should be given an award for covering this.

[deepakjoshi-zpky]

I am from india .we were educated in school about him as great leader in independence..he is highly regarded and repected amongst our generation. He was lovingly addressed as gandhi of frontiers in my country. We never knew that he was jailed and treated badly as traitor post independence by pakistani govt. very sad and disheartening seeing Great hero and human being treated not according to his accomplishment. He will always be remembered with immense respect and gratitude as great freedom fighter and activist of our nation..
My high regard to the frontier gandhi..

[billzkhan]

Al Jazeera.. Thank you for giving voice to us Pashtoons.

[xyzmusicrock]

Pashtuns r best people with pure heart love from Australia

[asapanjshir]

As an Afghan-tajik Im very proud and grateful to have pashtuns as my people and brothers!

[AdeshSrivastavaOfficial]

We Indians are proud of bacha Khan and his contribution in the freedom movement of India. We paid tributes to a heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for his service of his people and India at large. We awarded him our highest civilian award 'Bharat Ratna'. ❤🇮🇳🙏 We will keep bacha Khan legacy and his dedication to service of the people. We proudly equated him with Mahatma Gandhi and called him ' Simant Gandhi'.

[Hasan.Juton]

Bacha khan was a great leader ❤️ love him from Bangladesh 🇧🇩
Our leader ❤️

[ilayatshah]

He is, he was, and he will forever be our hero, an unsung hero, a true gem. Oh, Pakistan, how tragic that you labeled him a traitor, tarnishing his legacy in the shadows of hypocrisy. What a shame and a tragedy for our history. Thank you, Al Jazeera, for honoring his memory.

[cristianokusunoki]

What a leader! Deeply involved with the people and their roots. A great inspiration for any person in any culture. Thanks from Brazil, Al Jazeera! 🇧🇷

[AliFayyazKhan]

"Thank you, Al Jazeera, for honoring the legacy of Bacha Khan and capturing the spirit of his lifelong struggle for peace, education, and Pashtun freedom. My father, once a close companion to Wali Khan, instilled in me a deep respect for Bacha Khan’s vision—a commitment to nonviolence, justice, and unity for the Pashtun people. This documentary not only brings his values to life but also resonates with those of us who carry his ideals forward. Your work is a gift to all who cherish his legacy."

[muhammadsohaibtariq]

"You've thrown us to the WOLVES!" This powerful statement from Frontier Gandhi, Bacha Khan, resonates deeply. From the very beginning, the establishment seized control and established themselves as a local 'British Raj, ' subjugating millions in Pakistan, and this oppression continues to this day.

[zehabshortsvideos]

I am a 40 years old pakistani. I only heard the name bacha khan. And A lot of misconceptions about him. But I got to know him for the first time in my life because of this wonderful documentary of a great great baba bacha khan sahab. A lot of respect for him. I will now start to research and read more about him. Thanks Aljazeera.

[naheedkhattak]

I being a pashtun am ashamed that I got to know him from media . He wasn't mentioned in our books

[samikhanniazi]

How tragic is that Pakistan always haven't recognised its Heroes. Salute to all the un sung Heros ❤

[diveinhistory]

Bacha khan was the greatest pashtoon ever lived on the face of the earth. A true legend. As a Punjabi he is my hero.

[ziaurrehmankhan]

Heartfelt thanks to Al Jazeera Channel As Pashtuns we are grateful to Al Jazeera for bringing our hero to the world.

[burhansafi]

Thank you Al-jazeera, for making a very great documentary of the Afghan🇦🇫 legend, uncovering Bacha Khan Baba's life and efforts. The first time al-jazeera made a bold step supporting Pashtuns, its realy appreciable.

[inspiringgreatness]

I am an Afghan
This is first time I hear about this Great Human being.
Thank you Aljazeera

[eduamrit]

From India we love frontier Gandhi our book are full of respect for him ……bharat Ratna bachcha khan …..love and respect from India

[michealbryce]

Thanks for covering the story of great BACHA khan Baba, I am a pashtoon and I follow him and I am also a non violence activist .