BHIMRAO RAMJI AMBEDKAR

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, is best known as the principle architect of the Indian Constitution and
a staunch champion of Dalit rights. He played a key role in the discussions leading up to
independence. He also served as the first Minister of Law and Justice in post-colonial India
between 1947 and 1951.

FAMILY BACKGROUND-

Babasaheb’s family was from the Mahar community and came from the Ambavade town in the
Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. He was born in Madhya Pradesh on 14 April 1891. His mother
was Ramabai Sakpal and father Ramji Sakpal. His father was then a Subedar Major with the
Mahar Regiment of the Indian Army. It was his brahmin teacher who was very fond of him,
changed Bhimrao's surname to Ambedkar. He married Ramabai in 1906 when he was 15 and
Ramabai nine years old.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS-

 Ambedkar was the first in his community to graduate High School and went on to study for a BA
in Economics and Politics at Bombay University. He further completed his education in abroad,
at Columbia University in New York where he completed a Masters and a PhD, and later at
LSE. During this period Ambedkar studied economics, history and political science. On 28 June
1922, Ambedkar also became a Bar-at-Law with his two doctorate degrees (PhD and DSc) in
economics. Ambedkar had the highest qualification among the Indians and Asians of his times.

LIFE BEFORE POLITICS-

 In 1918 he became Professor of Political Economy in the College of Commerce and

Economics in Bombay.
 In 1920, he began publication of the weekly Mooknayak in Mumbai 
 By 1927, he decided to launch active movements against untouchability and espousing
access to public drinking water resources and the right to enter Hindu temples. 
 In 1935, Babasaheb was appointed principal of the Government Law College in Mumbai 
 In 1936, Babasaheb Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party

GOOD WORK [POLICIES]

His first attempt was establishment of the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha, intended to promote
education and socio-economic improvement, as well as the welfare of "outcastes". For the
defense of Dalit rights, he started many periodicals like Mook Nayak, Bahishkrit Bharat,
and Equality Janta. By 1927, Ambedkar had decided to launch active movements
against untouchability. He began with public movements and marches. On September 1932, the
agreement known as Poona Pact was signed between Ambedkar and Madan Mohan Malaviya.
The agreement gave reserved seats for the depressed classes in the Provisional legislatures,
within the general electorate.
Ambedkar published his book Annihilation of Caste which strongly criticised Hindu orthodox
religious leaders and the caste system in general. While justifying the Partition of India, he
condemned child marriage and the mistreatment of women in Muslim society.

Ambedkar died on 6 December 1956

In 1990, the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was posthumously conferred upon
Ambedkar.