Biography of Bhimrao Ambedkar - Today's Media Coverage

Bhimrao Ambedkar Biography

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (April 14, 1891 – December 6, 1956) was an Indian polymath: a social reformer, economist, politician, author, and the chief architect of the Constitution of India.
Born into a Dalit (“untouchability”) family, he faced social discrimination but persevered through exceptional academic pursuits, earning doctorates from Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
He championed the rights of Dalits and other marginalized communities, advocating for political, economic, and social equality. He founded the Scheduled Castes Federation in 1942.
He played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement and served as India’s first Law Minister (1947-1951), leading the Constituent Assembly’s Constitution drafting committee.
He is revered as the “Father of the Indian Constitution” and a key figure in India’s social and political transformation.

Faced challenges due to his Dalit background, denied entry to regular schools initially.
Attended Elphinstone High School in Bombay (present-day Mumbai) on a scholarship.
Graduated from Bombay University (1923) with honors in Economics and Political Science.
Secured the Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics’ first-ever M.A. in Economics (1924).
Awarded two scholarships for further studies abroad:
- Baroda State Scholarship (1923): Studied at Columbia University (PhD in Economics, 1927; PhD in Law, 1928).
- Sir Alexander Grant Scholarship (1927): Studied at the London School of Economics (D.Sc. in Economics, 1933).

Married Ramabai Murbadkar (1906-1935), who faced societal ostracization due to his caste.
Had one son, Yashwant (1912-1977), who later became a lawyer and writer.
After Ramabai’s passing, remained unmarried.

Experienced discrimination after graduation, despite qualifications.
Worked as a teacher at Satara Training College (1919-1920).
Started legal practice in Bombay (1924), later joining Wilson College as a Professor of Economics (1927-1932).
Conducted research on labor issues and untouchability, publishing extensively.
Launched periodicals like “Mook Nayak” and “Bahishkrit Bharat” to advocate for Dalit rights.

Social Reformer:
- Fought for Dalit rights through organizations like the Scheduled Castes Federation.
- Led the Poona Pact (1932) to secure separate electorates for Dalits.
- Spearheaded the Nagpur Resolution (1956) to convert to Buddhism, inspiring the Dalit Buddhist movement.
Politician:
- Elected to the Bombay Legislative Council (1926) and Legislative Assembly (1937) on reserved seats.
- Participated in the Constituent Assembly, advocating for a strong federal government and fundamental rights.
- Chaired the Constitution drafting committee, shaping India’s democratic blueprint.
Jurist:
- Played a key role in framing the Constitution’s Part III (Fundamental Rights) and Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy).
- Led the Hindu Code Bill revision committee, proposing progressive laws on marriage, inheritance, and property.
Economist:
- Analyzed India’s economic problems and advocated for planned development.
- Proposed a national minimum wage and criticized caste-based discrimination in economic spheres.
Author:
- Wrote extensively on politics, economics, sociology, and untouchability.
- His book “Annihilating the Caste” (1936) is a scathing critique of the caste system.