Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and politician. He was born on April 14, 1891, in the town of Mhow in the Central Provinces (now in Madhya Pradesh), India. He was born into a family of Dalits, who were considered untouchables in the caste system of Hinduism.
Ambedkar faced discrimination and social exclusion from a young age due to his caste. However, he was an excellent student and received scholarships to attend school. He went on to study at the University of Bombay and then went to England to study law at the London School of Economics.
After returning to India, Ambedkar became involved in the fight for the rights of Dalits and other marginalized communities. He worked tirelessly to challenge the caste system and to secure the social, political, and economic rights of Dalits. He was a prominent leader of the Dalit movement and founded the Independent Labour Party (ILP) on 15 August 1936.
Ambedkar was also involved in the drafting of the Indian Constitution and played a major role in the inclusion of provisions to protect the rights of Dalits and other marginalized communities. He was appointed as the first Law Minister of India after Independence.
Ambedkar was a prolific writer and scholar, and his work on social and economic issues is highly regarded. He wrote several influential books, including “The Annihilation of Caste,” “What Congress and Gandhi have Done to the Untouchables,” “Riddle of Hinduism” and “The Buddha and His Dhamma.”
Ambedkar died on December 6, 1956, at the age of 65. He remains a symbol of hope and inspiration for millions of Dalits and other marginalized communities in India and around the world. His legacy continues to be celebrated in India on his birth anniversary, which is observed as a public holiday in the country.
Education
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a highly educated and accomplished scholar. Despite facing discrimination and social exclusion due to his caste, he overcame tremendous obstacles to receive an excellent education and became one of India’s most prominent intellectuals.
Ambedkar obtained his early education at a local school in his hometown of Mhow, in the present-day Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. He was an excellent student and received several scholarships that enabled him to continue his education. He completed his undergraduate degree in economics and political science from the University of Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1912. He then went on to pursue higher education in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Ambedkar earned a scholarship to study at Columbia University in New York, where he completed a master’s degree in economics in 1915. He later enrolled in the London School of Economics, where he obtained a second master’s degree in economics in 1921. He also earned a doctorate in economics from the same institution in 1923. His thesis, titled “The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution,” is regarded as a seminal work on monetary economics.
After returning to India, Ambedkar worked as a professor of political economy at the Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai. He also pursued law studies and was called to the bar in 1927. He became a member of the Bar Council of India and practiced law in various courts throughout the country.
Throughout his life, Ambedkar was a strong advocate for education and believed that it was essential for social and economic progress. He established several institutions of higher education, including the People’s Education Society and the Siddharth College of Arts and Science in Mumbai, which was specifically aimed at providing education to members of the Dalit community. He also advocated for affirmative action policies to ensure that marginalized communities had access to educational opportunities.
Apart from two master’s and Bar-at-Law, he had four doctoral degrees plus he knew several European languages (and quite a few Indian languages including Sanskrit). He also wrote the Pali language dictionary and was the first person from South Asia to have been conferred a Degree of Ph.D. in Economics. Dr. Ambedkar was only 24 years old when he wrote his paper on “Castes in India – Their Mechanism, Genesis, and Development“. In his paper, he challenged many well-established scholars who had already written on caste.
Below is Dr. Ambedkar’s education history, starting with elementary education. It is almost impossible to state his extraordinarily vast educational experience. No wonder he is also popularly known as the “Symbol of knowledge”
- Elementary Education, 1902 Satara, Maharashtra
- Matriculation, 1907, Elphinstone High School, Bombay Persian, etc.,
- Inter 1909, Elphinstone College, Bombay-Persian and English
- B.A, 1913, Elphinstone College, Bombay, University of Bombay, Economics & Political Science
- M.A, 1915 Majoring in Economics with Sociology, History Philosophy, Anthropology, and Politics
- Ph.D., 1917, Columbia University conferred a Degree of Ph.D.
- M. Sc 1921 June, London School of Economics, London. Thesis – ‘Provincial Decentralization of Imperial Finance in British India’
- Barrister-at- Law 30-9-1920 Gray’s Inn, London
- (1922-23, Spent some time reading economics in the University of Bonn in Germany.)
- D. SC Nov 1923, London School of Economics, London ‘The Problem of the Rupee – Its origin and its solution’ was accepted for the degree in Economics
- L.L.D (Honoris Causa) 5-6-1952 Columbia University, New York For his achievements, Leadership, and authoring the constitution of India
- D.Litt (Honoris Causa) 12-1-1953 Osmania University, Hyderabad For his achievements, Leadership, and writing the constitution of India
Political Career
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a prominent politician in India and played a significant role in shaping the country’s political landscape. He was a strong advocate for social justice and worked tirelessly to secure the rights of marginalized communities in the country, particularly Dalits.
Ambedkar’s political career began in the early 1920s when he founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha, an organization that aimed to promote the social, economic, and political welfare of the Dalit community. He was also actively involved in the Indian National Congress and served as the chairman of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation.
After India gained independence from British rule in 1947, Ambedkar was appointed as the first Law Minister of independent India. He played a critical role in drafting the Indian Constitution and is widely regarded as the father of the Indian Constitution. He was instrumental in the inclusion of several provisions in the Constitution to protect the rights of Dalits and other marginalized communities.
Ambedkar’s political career was marked by his outspoken criticism of the Hindu caste system, which he believed was responsible for the social and economic oppression of Dalits. He was a strong advocate for the abolition of the caste system and worked to secure equal rights and opportunities for all citizens of India, regardless of their caste or religion.
In the early 1950s, Ambedkar resigned from his post as Law Minister and formed the Republican Party of India, which was aimed at promoting the political rights of Dalits and other marginalized communities. He continued to be an active politician until his death in 1956.
Today, Ambedkar’s legacy continues to be celebrated in India, particularly by members of the Dalit community. His contributions to the country’s political and social development are widely recognized, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest social reformers in India’s history.
Dr. Ambedkar as a labor leader
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was not a labor leader in the traditional sense, but he was a strong advocate for labor rights and social justice. As a social reformer, Ambedkar was deeply concerned with the plight of the working classes in India, particularly those who belonged to marginalized communities such as Dalits.
In the early 1920s, Ambedkar founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha, an organization that aimed to promote the social, economic, and political welfare of the Dalit community. The organization also worked to secure better working conditions and wages for Dalit laborers who were often exploited by their employers.
Ambedkar was also actively involved in the Indian National Congress and served as the chairman of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation. He used these positions to advocate for labor rights and social justice for all workers, regardless of their caste or class.
As India’s first Law Minister, Ambedkar played a critical role in drafting the Indian Constitution and is widely regarded as the father of the Indian Constitution. He ensured that the Constitution included several provisions that protected the rights of workers, including the right to form unions and the right to a fair wage. These provisions were crucial in securing labor rights for workers across the country.
In addition to his work as a social reformer and politician, Ambedkar was also a prolific writer and scholar. He wrote extensively on labor issues, including the problems of Indian labor and the need for social and economic reforms to improve their condition.
Overall, while Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was not a labor leader in the traditional sense, his work as a social reformer, politician, and scholar had a significant impact on the labor movement in India. His advocacy for labor rights and social justice laid the foundation for a more equitable society in India.
Dr. Ambedkar renounced Hinduism
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar renounced Hinduism in 1956 and converted to Buddhism along with thousands of his followers. The decision to convert to Buddhism was a significant one for Ambedkar, who had long been a critic of the Hindu caste system and the discrimination and oppression it imposed on Dalits and other marginalized communities.
Ambedkar’s decision to renounce Hinduism and convert to Buddhism was based on his belief that Buddhism offered a more egalitarian and compassionate philosophy and way of life. In his view, Buddhism rejected the caste system and taught the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which he believed were essential for building a just and equitable society.
The conversion to Buddhism was also seen as a way for Ambedkar and his followers to assert their identity as a separate and distinct community. By embracing Buddhism, they were rejecting the Hindu caste system and the social and economic oppression that it imposed.
Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism had a significant impact on Indian society and politics. It inspired a movement of Dalit Buddhists who sought to embrace Buddhism as a way to escape the discrimination and oppression of the Hindu caste system. Today, Buddhism is a significant minority religion in India, and its followers continue to be inspired by the teachings of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Ambedkar As A Human Rights Defender
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a tireless defender of human rights, particularly the rights of marginalized communities in India. Throughout his life, he worked to promote social and economic equality and to eliminate discrimination and oppression.
As a leader of the Dalit community, Ambedkar fought for the rights of Dalits who were considered “untouchable” and were subject to discrimination and social exclusion. He believed that caste-based discrimination was a fundamental violation of human rights and worked to eradicate it through his advocacy and writings.
Ambedkar was also a strong advocate for women’s rights and fought to end gender discrimination and oppression. He worked to secure equal rights for women, including the right to education and the right to vote.
As the chairman of the drafting committee for the Indian Constitution, Ambedkar played a critical role in ensuring that the Constitution included several provisions that protected the rights of all Indian citizens, regardless of their caste or religion. These provisions included the right to equality, the right to freedom of religion, the right to freedom of expression, and the right to education.
Throughout his life, Ambedkar emphasized the importance of human dignity and the need to protect the rights and freedoms of all individuals. He believed that the social and economic progress of a country was impossible without a commitment to human rights and social justice.
Today, Ambedkar is remembered as a champion of human rights and a visionary leader who fought tirelessly for the rights of marginalized communities. His legacy continues to inspire social and political movements in India and around the world.
Popular Books are written by Ambedkar
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a prolific writer and scholar who wrote extensively on a wide range of subjects, including social reform, politics, economics, and religion. Some of his most notable books include:
- “Annihilation of Caste”: This is perhaps Ambedkar’s most famous work, in which he criticizes the Hindu caste system and its hierarchical and oppressive structure. The book was originally written as a speech, but was later published as a book.
- “The Buddha and His Dhamma”: This is a comprehensive work on Buddhism, in which Ambedkar explores the life and teachings of the Buddha, as well as the principles of Buddhist philosophy and ethics.
- “The Untouchables: Who Were They and Why They Became Untouchables?”: In this book, Ambedkar provides a detailed historical account of the origins of the caste system in India and the oppression and discrimination faced by the Dalit community.
- “Pakistan or the Partition of India”: In this book, Ambedkar analyzes the political and social factors that led to the partition of India in 1947, and discusses the implications of the partition for the country’s future.
- “Thoughts on Linguistic States”: In this work, Ambedkar argues for the reorganization of India on linguistic lines, which eventually led to the creation of Indian states based on language.
- “What Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the Untouchables”: This book is a scathing critique of the Indian National Congress and its leader, Mahatma Gandhi, for their failure to address the needs and concerns of the Dalit community.
These are just a few examples of the many books and essays written by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. His writings continue to be studied and debated by scholars and activists today, and his legacy as a social reformer and political leader remains an important part of Indian history and culture.
Ambedkar Quotes
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a visionary leader, a social reformer, and a prolific writer who left behind a rich legacy of inspiring quotes. Here are some of his most notable quotes:
- “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.”
- “Caste is not a physical object like a wall of bricks or a line of barbed wire which prevents the Hindus from co-mingling and which has, therefore, to be pulled down. Caste is a notion; it is a state of the mind.”
- “Freedom of mind is the real freedom. A person whose mind is not free though he may not be in chains, is a slave, not a free man.”
- “If I find the constitution being misused, I shall be the first to burn it.”
- “I do not want that our loyalty as Indians should be in the slightest way affected by any competitive loyalty whether that loyalty arises out of our religion, out of our culture or out of our language.”
- “Life should be great rather than long.”
- “The relationship between husband and wife should be one of closest friends.”
- “I am not a visionary. I claim to be a practical idealist.”
- “The history of India is nothing but a history of a mortal conflict between Buddhism and Brahmanism.”
- “Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy.”
These quotes reflect Ambedkar’s deep commitment to social justice, equality, and democracy. They continue to inspire people around the world today.