Sociology · Indian Sociological Thoughts B K Nagla
Chapter 26 : Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : Biography and his Contribution to Indian Sociology
Table of contents21 sections
- 1.Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : Biography and his Contribution to Indian Sociology
- 2.Biography and Education
- 3.Key Terms
- 4.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 5.Career, Activism, and Major Writings
- 6.Key Terms
- 7.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 8.Concept of Dalit and Subaltern Approach
- 9.The Concept of Dalit
- 10.Dalit Liberation: Subaltern Approach
- 11.Key Terms
- 12.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 13.Analysis of Ambedkar's Writings (Rodrigues, 2002)
- 14.Exploration of Concepts and Methodology
- 15.Ideological Foundations and Marxism
- 16.Religion, Caste, and Untouchability
- 17.Identity, Economy, and Nationalism
- 18.Constitutional Democracy, Governance, and the Disadvantaged
- 19.Key Terms
- 20.📌 Exam Tidbits
- 21.Quick-Recall Box
Chapter preview
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : Biography and his Contribution to Indian Sociology
Biography and Education
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was a pioneering social reformer, jurist, and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He was the first Indian from an untouchable caste to go abroad for higher education.
- Birth: Born on 14th April, 1891 in a small town at Mhow Cantt near Indore.
- Caste Background: Belonged to the Mahar caste, traditionally considered an untouchable caste in Maharashtra.
- Childhood Name: Bhim Sakpal.
- Family: His father was Ramji Sakpal, a follower of Saint Kabir (and therefore, Ramji never believed in caste).
- Religious Conversion: Adopted Buddhism along with 5 lakh people in a historical congregation on 14th October, 1956 at Nagpur.
- Death: Died on 6th December, 1956.
Educational Journey
| Year | Institution / Location | Achievement / Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 1907 | Satara (Maharashtra) | Completed High School. |
| Pre-1915 | Elphinstone College, Bombay | Undergraduate studies; funded by the 'Gayakwad scholarship' provided by Maharaja Gayakwad of Baroda. |
| 1915 | Columbia University, USA | Completed M.A. (Admission secured via the Gayakwad scholarship). |
| 1916 | London | Went to London to study law and took admission in the London School of Economics and Political Science to study economics. |
| 1917 | Columbia University, USA | Awarded PhD. |
| 1921 | London University | Awarded Master of Science and PhD for his thesis entitled, "The Problem of the Rupee". Simultaneously completed Bar at Law. |
Key Terms
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| Mahar | A caste in Maharashtra to which Ambedkar belonged, traditionally designated and treated as an untouchable caste. |
📌 Exam Tidbits
- B.R. Ambedkar (1891–1956): First Indian untouchable to pursue higher education abroad; adopted Buddhism with 5 lakh followers in 1956.
- Ramji Sakpal: Ambedkar's father; a follower of Saint Kabir who rejected caste beliefs.
- Gayakwad scholarship: The financial grant from Maharaja Gayakwad of Baroda that funded Ambedkar's studies at Elphinstone College and Columbia University.
Career, Activism, and Major Writings
Ambedkar dedicated his professional and political life to the upliftment of the Dalits (depressed classes) and the poor, eventually shaping the legal framework of independent India.
- 1923: Started his law practice and actively devoted himself to the upliftment of the depressed classes.
- 1930: Became the president of the…
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