Life history of Dr. Babasaheb B R Ambedkar
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as B.R. Ambedkar, was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, present-day Madhya Pradesh, India. He was born into a Mahar (Dalit) family, which was considered to be at the bottom of the caste hierarchy in Hindu society.
Ambedkar faced discrimination and oppression from a young age due to his caste. Despite the odds, he was a brilliant student and went on to earn a law degree from the University of Bombay in 1912. He then went to England to study at the London School of Economics and earned a degree in economics and political science in 1921. He also earned a Doctorate in Economics from Columbia University in 1927.
Ambedkar was a social reformer, politician, and jurist who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the Dalit community and other marginalized groups. He fought for the abolition of the caste system and the establishment of a just and equal society.
He was a key figure in the drafting of the Indian Constitution, which was adopted on January 26, 1950. He was appointed as the first Law Minister of independent India and played a pivotal role in shaping the legal system of the country.
Ambedkar also founded the Independent Labour Party in 1936 and the Scheduled Castes Federation in 1942 to fight for the rights of the Dalit community. He was a prolific writer and authored several books, including "Annihilation of Caste" and "The Buddha and His Dhamma."
Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956, at the age of 65. He left behind a rich legacy and is remembered as one of the greatest social reformers and leaders in Indian history. His contributions to the nation and the world continue to inspire generations of people to fight against social inequality and injustice.
EDUCATION
B.R. Ambedkar was a highly educated person, with numerous degrees and qualifications to his name. Despite being born into a marginalized community and facing immense social discrimination, he was determined to receive an education and become a scholar.
Ambedkar started his early education at a local government school in Satara, Maharashtra. Later, he moved to Bombay to pursue further studies. In 1908, he passed his matriculation exam from Elphinstone High School in Bombay (now Mumbai). He then went on to study at the University of Bombay, where he obtained a degree in economics and political science in 1912.
After completing his studies in India, Ambedkar went to England to pursue higher education. He enrolled at the University of London and obtained a degree in economics in 1921. He later obtained a degree in law from Gray's Inn in 1922.
Ambedkar continued his academic pursuits in the United States, where he studied at Columbia University in New York City. He earned a PhD in economics in 1927 for his thesis titled "The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India."
Throughout his life, Ambedkar remained committed to education and was a strong advocate for the importance of education in achieving social progress and equality. He believed that education was essential for the empowerment of marginalized communities and worked towards making education accessible to all, regardless of their caste or social status.
DEGREES HE AQUIRED
B.R. Ambedkar was a highly educated person with several degrees to his name. Here is a list of his degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Bombay (1912)
- Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Bombay (1915)
- Master of Science degree in Economics from the University of London (1921)
- D.Sc. in Economics from the University of London (1923)
- Barrister-at-Law degree from Gray's Inn, London (1923)
- Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University, New York (1927)
- LL.D. (Honoris Causa) from Columbia University (1952)
- LL.D. (Honoris Causa) from Osmania University, Hyderabad (1953)
- LL.D. (Honoris Causa) from the University of Nagpur (1953)
- LL.D. (Honoris Causa) from Banaras Hindu University (1953)
- LL.D. (Honoris Causa) from the University of Mysore (1953)
- D.Litt. (Honoris Causa) from the University of Delhi (1953)
- LL.D. (Honoris Causa) from the University of Bombay (1953)
- LL.D. (Honoris Causa) from the University of Punjab (1955)
These degrees reflect Ambedkar's dedication to education and his pursuit of knowledge, despite the many obstacles he faced as a member of a marginalized community in India.
Constitution of India:
B.R. Ambedkar played a key role in drafting the Constitution of India, which was adopted on 26th January 1950. As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, Ambedkar worked tirelessly to create a document that would provide a framework for a democratic and inclusive society in India. Here are some of the contributions made by Ambedkar to the Constitution:
1. Fundamental Rights: Ambedkar ensured that the Constitution enshrined a set of fundamental rights, including the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, and the right to practice any religion.
2. Directive Principles of State Policy: Ambedkar was also instrumental in the inclusion of the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution, which lays down the guidelines for the government to follow in promoting social justice and equality.
3. Abolition of Untouchability: Ambedkar was a fierce opponent of the caste system and worked to ensure that the Constitution included provisions for the abolition of untouchability and the promotion of social equality.
4. Independent Judiciary: Ambedkar ensured that the Constitution provided for an independent judiciary that would act as a check on the powers of the government and protect the rights of the citizens.
5. Federalism: Ambedkar worked to create a federal structure for India, with power being divided between the central government and the state governments, to ensure that the diverse interests and aspirations of the people were represented in the governance of the country.
These are some of the key contributions made by B.R. Ambedkar to the Constitution of India, which has served as a beacon of democracy and social justice in the world.
WHAT IS POONA PACT 1932
The Poona Pact of 1932 was an agreement between B.R. Ambedkar, the leader of the Dalit community in India, and Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement, over the issue of separate electorates for Dalits.
The British government had earlier announced that they would grant separate electorates for Dalits, which would allow them to elect their own representatives to the legislature. However, Gandhi saw this as divisive and feared that it would perpetuate the caste system.
In September 1932, Gandhi went on a hunger strike to protest the British decision, which put pressure on the British government to negotiate with Ambedkar. The negotiations resulted in the Poona Pact, which replaced separate electorates for Dalits with reserved seats for them in the general electorate. This meant that Dalits could vote for candidates from any community but could only vote for candidates reserved for Dalits in certain constituencies.
The Poona Pact was a significant victory for Gandhi, as it helped to preserve Hindu unity and prevent the division of the Indian nationalist movement. However, it was also a significant victory for Ambedkar, as it ensured that the interests of Dalits would be represented in the political system.
The Poona Pact was a crucial moment in Indian history, as it marked a compromise between two leaders who had different visions for the future of India. It also helped to strengthen the fight against caste discrimination and paved the way for greater political representation for Dalits in India.
BOOKS BY Dr. B. R. AMBEDKAR
B.R. Ambedkar was a prolific writer and thinker, and his writings cover a wide range of subjects, including social justice, democracy, religion, politics, and economics. Here are some of his important books:
1. Annihilation of Caste:
This book, originally a speech delivered by Ambedkar in 1936, is a scathing critique of the caste system in India and its impact on the country's social and political life.
2. The Buddha and His Dhamma:
This book presents Ambedkar's interpretation of the life and teachings of the Buddha, and argues that Buddhism can provide a solution to the problems of social inequality and injustice.
3. The Problem of Rupee:
Its Origin and Its Solution: This book examines the causes of the depreciation of the Indian rupee and suggests measures to stabilize the currency.
4. Pakistan or the Partition of India:
This book is a detailed analysis of the factors that led to the partition of India in 1947 and its consequences for the country's social and political life.
5. Who Were the Shudras?:
This book challenges the traditional Hindu view that the Shudras, the lowest caste in the Hindu social hierarchy, were non-Aryans and argues that they were, in fact, indigenous people who were subjugated by the Aryan invaders.
6. Castes in India:
Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development: This book is a comprehensive study of the caste system in India, its history, and its impact on Indian society.
7. Thoughts on Linguistic States:
This book presents Ambedkar's views on the reorganization of Indian states on linguistic lines, and argues that linguistic states are essential for the preservation of democracy and national unity.
8. The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India:
This book is a detailed analysis of the financial relations between the British government and the Indian provinces during the colonial period.
9. Riddles of Rama and Krishna:
Appendix No.1 of Part 3 of the book 'Riddles of Hinduism '
These are some of the important books written by B.R. Ambedkar.
