Biography of Dr B. R. Ambedkar: Life, Legacy & Facts

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar also popularly known as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was an Indian Jurist, Economist, Social Reformer and political leader. He played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence and the drafting of its constitution. Dr Ambedkar fought for the rights of Dalits and is known as the beacon of social reforms and constitutional justice. In this blog, we will talk about the biography of B R Ambedkar.

Dr. B.R.Ambedkar
Birth	14th April 1891Madhya Pradesh, India
Birth Name	Bhimrao Ambedkar
Nationality	Indian
Education	B.A from Mumbai University, MA, PhD, LLD from Columbia University.
Profession	Lawyer, Professor and Politician
Wife	Ramabai Ambedkar (1906-1935),Dr. Savita Ambedkar (1948 -2003)
Child	Yashwant Ambedkar
Awards	Boddhisattva (1956)Bharat Ratna (1990)The Greatest Indian (2012)
Death	6th December 1956 65 years.

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Why is Ambedkar Famous?

Dr BR Ambedkar is popularly known as the Father of the Indian Constitution. He has played an important role in drafting the Indian constitution. According to the biography of BR Ambedkar is a champion of social justice. He has dedicated his life to eliminating cast discrimination and worked for the upliftment of Dalits (also known as the Untouchables). Some of the reasons why Ambedkar is popular is as follows-

1. He is the architect of the Indian Constitution. He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and ensured that our constitution includes key principles like equality, liberty and fraternity.
2. He has challenged the Hindu caste system through his writings like the Annilation of Caste, movements, and public speeches.
3. He founded the  Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha. This was to promote education and socioeconomic rights for Dalits.
4. Besides this, he was an economist and a scholar. He had completed a PhD from Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He has also advocated for labour rights and economic reforms in our country.
5. He inspired millions of people to convert to Buddhism and reject the caste system.

Check out: Essay on Bhimrao Ambedkar in 100, 150, 300, and 500 words

What is Ambedkar’s Full Name?

The full name of BR Ambedkar is Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. He is also popularly known as ‘Babasaheb’. Babasaheb means respected father.

Best Biography of Ambedkar

The best biography of BR Ambedkar is ‘’Dr Ambedkar: Life and Mission”. This book is written by Dhananjay Kee. The book details the struggles of Ambedkar, ideological revolution and his achievements. If you prefer a modern outlook on the life of BR Ambedkar, you can read the book ‘’Ambedkar: Towards an Enlightened India’’.. This book is written by Gail Omvedt.

B.R. Ambedkar: Birthplace

Are you wondering BR Ambedkar born in which state? The answer is he was born in Mhow (present day Dr. Ambedkar Nagar) at a military cantonment in Madhya Pradesh. His date of birth is April 14, 1891,

Must Read: Speech on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: 1, 2, & 5-minute

How Many Hours Did Ambedkar Study?

It is widely believed that Dr. Ambedkar studied for 18 hours a day. That is, while he is studying abroad.  This dedication helped him earn multiple degrees, including a law degree and a doctorate in economics. The details are provided as per the Biography of BR. Ambedkar.

Short Biography of B.R. Ambedkar

Here is a short biography of B.R Ambedkar that you must read about.

1. Dr Ambedkar was born into a Dalit family. He had faced caste based discrimination starting from his childhood.
2. Moreover, he earned scholarships to study at the London School of Economics and Columbia University (USA).
3. He was the first law minister of India post-independence
4. He was the person who led the drafting of the Indian Constitution and ensured safeguards were provided for marginalized groups.
5. Ambedkar also advocated for women’s rights, labor reforms and the Hindu Code Bill
6. He also renounced Hinduism in 1956 and accepted Buddhism
7. He passed away on December 6, 1956.
8. His legacy is celebrated annually as the Ambedkar Jayanti.

32 Degrees of Ambedkar [Download PDF List]

Early Life and Education of Ambedkar

The biography of B R Ambedkar can be as long as his life. Born on April 14, 1891, at Mhow (now known as Dr. Ambedkar Nagar), Madhya Pradesh, India, he came from a very humble family background. He was the 14th and last child. His father, Ramji Maloji Sakpal worked as a Subedar in the Indian Army and his mother was Bhimabai Sakpal who was a homemaker. 

Ambedkar’s father retired from the service when he was 2 years old and his mother died when he was 6 years old. Babasaheb had to get his early education in Bombay, where he was subjected to discrimination and faced the shock of being an Untouchable and belonging to a Dalit caste.

Despite these challenges, Ambedkar showed a keen interest in education. After his matriculation, he was married in an open shed of a market and faced the curse of Untouchability everywhere. He then went on to complete his graduation at Elphinstone College, Bombay after securing a scholarship from his highness Sayajirao Gaikwad of Baroda and had a deal to return to work under him.

Also Read – Ambedkar Quotes on Education

After his graduation, as per the deal he went on to join Baroda Sansthan, however, he lost his father in the year 1913, but simultaneously was selected as a scholar to go to USA for higher studies.

He pursued M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University in 1915 and 1916. He then left for London to pursue his higher studies. He was admitted to GRay’s Inn and got his degree in Bar-at-Law and also got a D.Sc. degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. For a while, he even studied at Bonn University in Germany.

Also Read – National Constitution Day: Date, History, and Significance

Social Reform and Activism of B R Ambedkar

Dr. Ambedkar came back to Bombay and joined Sydenham College as a professor of Political Economy. In the year 1921, he wrote his thesis “ Provincial Decentralization of Imperial Finance in British India”.  In Germany, he presented another thesis named “Problem of Rupee its Origin and Solution”.

After returning from England, he started his own association for the welfare of the depressed class in the year 1924. Dr Ambedkar was the Chairman of this association with Sir Chimanlal Setalvad as the President. The main objective of the association was to spread education, represent the grievances of the depressed class and improve their economic situations.

He started a newspaper with the name Bahiskrit Bharat on April 3, 1927. The newspaper represented the causes of the depressed class with the prevailing social reforms. By the year 1935, he became the Principal of the Government Law College and resigned in 1938. In between he represented Dalit interests in various conferences and committees which include the Poona Pact of 1932. Later he, launched several newspapers, such as Mook Nayak (1920) and Janta (1928) to voice his concerns for the Dalit community. 

In the year 1938, Ambedkar attended a provincial conference of the depressed class and gave shock to renounce Hinduism by saying “I was born in Hinduism but I will not die as a Hindu”. His followers also supported the decision. 

On 15th August 1936, he announced the formation of a new Independent Labour Party. The party was formed out of the Labour population and represented the interest of the depressed class. He vehemently opposed the oppressive caste system, which relegated Dalits formerly known as Untouchables. 

Also Read – Constitutional Development of India (1946 – 1950)

Political Career and Contribution to the Indian Constitution

In the year 1942, he represented the Executive Council of the Governor General of India as a Labour Member and was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bengal in the year 1946. In the meantime, he published his book named “Who Were Shudra?”

After India’s Independence in 1947, Ambedkar was appointed as India’s first Law Minister in Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet. Ambedkar’s role in drafting India’s Constitution is nothing short of monumental. He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and meticulously crafted the framework of the Indian Constitution. He also ensured to safeguarding of the rights of Marginalized communities and laid the foundation for equality. His contribution earned him the title of “The Father of Indian Constitution”.

Conversion to Buddhism 

In a bold and transformative move to be in a more egalitarian society, Babasaheb and his followers converted to Buddhism on 14th Oct 1956, in a historical ceremony which was held at Nagpur. He died on 6th December 1956. It also inspired a mass conversion movement with millions of Dalits embracing Buddhism in the years to come.

Also Read – Jawaharlal Nehru: Secular Architect of Modern India

Interesting Facts about DR. B.R. Ambedkar

Some interesting facts about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar are – 

1. First Indian to receive a Doctorate in Economics from Columbia University.
2. The Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution.
3. First Minister of Law and Justice in Independent India.
4. Was Conferred the title of “Boddhisattva” by Buddhist Monks in 1954
5. Recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest Civilian Award in 1990.
6. The concept of the Reserve Bank of India was given by Babasaheb to the Hilton Young Committee.
7. He had 32 degrees and was proficient in 9 languages.
8. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s death is commemorated as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
9. On his recommendation, the Ashok Chakra was inscribed in the Indian National Flag.
10. He wrote many books like – The Annihilation of Caste, Thoughts on Pakistan, What Congress and Gandhi have done to the Untouchables, etc. His last book was The Buddha and his Dhamma and died in his sleep after finishing it.

10 Lines on Dr. B.R Ambedkar 

Now that you know about the biography of Dr. BR Ambedkar, read these 5 short lines about his life. This will help you to understand Ambedkar more.

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was an economist, jurist, and social reformer
• He was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow (M.P.), and was the youngest of his family
• Although he faced extreme social discrimination, he topped his high school 
• He had earned a scholarship from the Maharaja of Baroda.
• He had worked as a Military Secretary to the Maharaja of Baroda. However, due to caste bias, he was forced to leave the position.
• He founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha in 1924 for socio-economic development, and to promote education
• He launched several publications like the Mooknayak, Bahishkrit Bharat, and Janata.
• He founded the Independent Labour Party in 1936 to fight for the rights of peasants and other workers.
• He had established the Bharatiya Buddha Mahasabha and promoted Buddhism 
• He is known as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

Also Read: 35 Lines on Ambedkar Jayanti

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