Baba Saheb Ambedkar

Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s Journey : History & Achievements

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  • Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891, he was the 14th and last child of his parents.
  • Subedar Ramji Maloji Sakpal was the father of Dr. Baba saheb Ambedkar. He held the rank of Subedar in the British Army. Babasaheb’s father, a well-read individual, was a follower of Sant Kabir.
  • Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was hardly two years old when his father retired from service. When he was only around six years old, his mother passed away. Babasaheb received his primary education in Bombay. He came to understand with great shock during his school days what it meant to be an untouchable in India. 
  • Dr. Ambedkar completed his schooling in Satara. Dr. Ambedkar, unfortunately, experienced the loss of his mother. He was cared for by his aunt. Later on, they moved to Bombay. During his entire school education, he suffered from the curse of untouchability. After he graduated from high school in 1907, he got married in an open market shed.  
  • Dr. Ambedkar graduated from Elphinston College in Bombay, where he received a scholarship from His Highness Sayajirao Gaikwad of Baroda. He was required to join Baroda Sansthan after his graduation as per the bond. While he was in Baroda, he lost his father. In 1913, Dr. Ambedkar was chosen as a scholar to go to the USA for higher studies. This was the turning point of his educational career.  
  • He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at Columbia University in 1915 and 1916, respectively. He subsequently departed for London to pursue further studies. He gained admission to Gray’s Inn for Law and was also allowed to prepare for the D.Sc. at the London School of Economics and Political Science. However, the Dewan of Baroda called him back to India. He later received his Bar-at-Law and D.Sc. degrees as well. He spent some time studying at the University of Bonn in Germany. 
  • In 1916 he read an essay on ‘Castes in India — their Mechanism, Genesis, and Development’. In 1916, he wrote his thesis ‘National dividend for India — A Historic and Analytical Study’ and got his Ph.D. Degree. It was released after eight years, bearing the title “Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India.” After receiving this highest qualification, he went back to India and was appointed Military Secretary to the Maharaja of Baroda, with the intention of eventually preparing him for the role of finance minister. 
  • In September 1917, Babasaheb returned to the city after his scholarship tenure ended and took up a job in the service. After a short period in the city until November 1917, he departed for Mumbai. Due to the maltreatment he experienced because of untouchability, he had to leave the service. 
  • Dr. Ambedkar went back to Bombay and took up the role of a Political Economy professor at Sydenham College. His popularity among the students was due to his extensive reading. However, he resigned his position in order to continue his studies in Law and Economics in London. He received financial help from the Maharaja of Kolhapur. He completed his M.Sc. degree at London University in 1921, after writing his thesis, “Provincial Decentralization of Imperial Finance in British India.” Then he spent some period in Bonn University in Germany. In 1923, he submitted his thesis — “Problem of Rupee its Origin and Solution”, for the D.Sc. Degree. He was called to Bar in 1923. 
  • Upon his return from England in 1924, he founded an association aimed at the welfare of the depressed classes, with Sir Chimanlal Setalvad serving as President and Dr. Ambedkar as Chairman. The Association aimed to spread education, enhance economic conditions, and voice the grievances of depressed classes. 
  • The Bahiskrit Bharat newspaper was started on April 3, 1927 to address the cause of the depressed classes in view of the new reform.
  • He became a Professor at Government Law College, Bombay in 1928. On June 1, 1935, he became the college’s Principal and held this position until his resignation in 1938. 
  • A conference for the depressed classes was arranged on October 13, 1935, in Yeola, located in the Nasik District. During this conference, he delivered a shock to the Hindus by announcing. “I was born into Hinduism, but I won’t die as a Hindu” His decision was supportred by thousands of his followers. He spoke at the Bombay Presidency Mahar Conference in 1936, where he supported giving up Hinduism. 
  • He founded the Independent Labour Party on August 15, 1936, to protect the interests of the depressed classes, who were primarily made up of laborers. 
  • Congress proposed a bill in 1938 that aimed to change the name of untouchables. It was the subject of Dr. Ambedkar’s criticism. He believes that changing the name does not solve the problem. 
  • He was appointed as a Labour member to the Executive Council of the Governor General of India in 1942 and elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bengal in 1946. Along with this he published his book ,Who were Shudras? 
  • In 1947, after Independence, he was appointed Minister of Law and Justice in Nehru’s first cabinet. However, in 1951 he resigned his ministerial position, citing disagreements over the Kashmir issue, India’s Foreign Policy, and Nehru’s policy to the Hindu Code Bill. 
  • He was awarded an LL.D. degree by Columbia University in 1952 in acknowledgment of his contributions to the drafting of India’s Constitution. He released a book called Thoughts on Linguistic States in 1955. 
  • On January 12, 1953, Osmania University awarded a doctorate upon Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. After 21 years, he ultimately proved true what he had declared in Yeola in 1935: “I will not die as a Hindu.” He accepted Buddhism in a momentous ceremony in Nagpur on 14th October 1956 and passed away on 6th December 1956. 
  • In 1954, at the “Jagatik Buddhism Council” in Kathmandu, Nepal, Buddhist monks awarded Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar the title of “Bodhisattva.” What makes this remarkable is that Dr. Ambedkar was awarded the title Bodhisattva during his lifetime. 
  • Additionally, he played a role in both the struggle for India’s independence and the country’s reforms after independence. In addition to this, Babasaheb was played crucial role in establishing the Reserve Bank of India. The Central Bank was established based on the concept that Baba Saheb Ambedkar presented to the Hilton Young Commission. 
  • The sparkling life history of Baba Saheb Ambedkar proves that he was a man of both study and action. First of all, he gained a solid understanding of Economics, Politics, Law, Philosophy, and Sociology during his studies; he had to confront many social challenges. However, he did not spend his entire life reading, studying, and being in libraries. He refused the lucrative promotions because he always remembered his brothers in the depressed class. He devoted the rest of his life to the causes of equality, brotherhood, and humanity. He did his best to improve the situation of the depressed classes. 
  • It is necessary and appropriate to study and analyze his main contributions and their relevance after examining his life history. As per one opinion, three points remain more significant even today. Even today, the Indian Economy and Indian Society are confronting numerous economic and social issues. We may find guidance for solving these problems in Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts and actions. 
  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s death anniversary is observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas across the country.
  • From 08:30 AM to 09:30 AM on the following day, the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and other Members will honor Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by laying flowers at his statue in the Parliament House lawns. 

 

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