B.R.
AMBEDKAR
ATHEENA M SASI The Educational
ATHEENA SR Philosophy and
CELLSHIYARAM SR Contributions of
HARSHITHA B Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
JAJATI KESHARI
INTRODUCTION
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on 14th April 1891 in the Mhow Army
cantonment (present Madhya Pradesh). He was the 14th and last child of Ramji
Maloji Sakpal, an army officer who held the rank of Subedar and Bhimabai Sakpal
Being born into a Dalit family, belonging to Mahar caste, who were considered
untouchables, BR Ambedkar had to face various inequalities and discrimination.
Ambedkar's academic life was prolific. He completed his primary schooling in Satara,
Maharashtra and completed his secondary education from Elphinstone High School
in Bombay. Even his education was achieved in the face of caste discrimination.
Dr. Ambedkar graduated from Bombay University in 1912 with a B.A. in Economics
and Political Science. On account of his excellent performance at college, in 1913 he
was awarded a scholarship by Sayajirao Gaikwad, then Maharaja (King) of Baroda
state to pursue his M.A. and Ph.D. at Columbia University in Newyork, USA. His
Master's thesis in 1916 was titled "The Administration and Finance of the East India
Company He submitted his Ph.D. thesis on "The Evolution of Provincial Finance in
India: A Study in the Provincial Decentralization of Imperial Finance". His academic
research focused on economics, political science and law. His education gave him a
deep understanding of social justice, governance and economic policies which he used
to fight against caste discrimination and inequality.
After the completion of his studies, Dr. Ambedkar returned to India and began his career
as a lawyer and professor, teaching at Sydenham College in Bombay. but his true passion
laid in fighting for the rights of the oppressed. He couldn't ignore the injustices faced by
Dalits and other marginalized communities, so he dedicated himself to social reform.
Putting the main focus on education, Dr. Ambedkar founded the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini
sabha' in 1924. He believed that knowledge was the key to breaking the cycle of
oppression. By his powerful words and writings, Ambedkar became the voice of the
people who had been silenced for years.
During the 1930s Ambedkar led movements demanding temple entry, access to public
water sources, and political rights for Dalits. One of his most significant contributions
was in 1932. where he negotiated the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi securing seats
for Scheduled Castes in Politics. This was a turning point in turning point in India's social
and political history.
By the 1940s, Ambedkar had emerged as a national leader, recognized not
just for his advocacy but also for his skill in law and governance. In 1947, as
India gained Independence, He was appointed as the chairman of the
Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, where he worked tirelessly
to make sure that principles of equality, democracy and justice were
enshrined in the nation's foundation.
Lifestyle
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar led a disciplined, intellectual, and purpose-driven life, dedicated to
social reform and education. Despite facing harsh caste discrimination in his early years,
he remained committed to hard work, knowledge and self-improvement.
• Simplicity and Focus -
Ambedkar lived a modest life, prioritizing reading, writing, and activism material wealth.
He built one of the largest private libraries in India, portraying his love for knowledge.
• Rigorous study and work ethic -
He followed a strict routine, he used to study more than 18 hours a day. He spent a lot of
time studying, researching and drafting policies to uplift the lower caste communities.
• Advocate for Social Justice -
His lifestyle was centered around empowering the oppressed, whether it may be
through legal battles, speeches or movements for equality
• Health and Personal Habits - Due to this tireless work, he suffered from health
issues, including diabetes, However, he maintained his dedication to his mission until
his last days.
• Spiritual transformation - Towards the end of his life, Ambedkar embraced
Buddhism, Because he believed that Buddhism would give equal status, rights, and
treatment to the Dalits. His conversion inspired millions of Dalits to follow Buddhism
as a Path to dignity and self respect.
Ambedkar's life was a blend of intellect, discipline and
deep commitment to social change. Also, his love for
knowledge and the thriving heart for justice continues to
inspire generations fighting for equality and education.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. How did Dr. B. R. Ambedkar spend most of his time?
A) Enjoying a luxurious and comfortable life
B) Reading, writing, and researching extensively
C) Traveling frequently for entertainment
D) Practicing yoga and meditation daily
Answer: B) Reading, writing, and researching extensively
2. What was Ambedkar's approach to his work?
A) He worked whenever he felt like it, without a fixed routine
B) He was highly disciplined and worked tirelessly for long hours
C) He let others handle most of his responsibilities
D) He focused only on politics and ignored education
Answer: B) He was highly disciplined and worked tirelessly for long hours
3. What personal habit reflected Ambedkar's love for knowledge?
A) He maintained a huge library with thousands of books
B) He spent most of his time at social gatherings
C) He was actively involved in sports and physical fitness
D) He avoided reading and focused only on activism
Answer: A) He maintained a huge library with thousands of books
4. How did Ambedkar's lifestyle reflect his commitment to social reform?
A) He lived lavishly to show that Dalits could also be wealthy
B) He dedicated his life to fighting for Dalit rights and education
C) He focused only on law and stayed away from activism
D) He avoided public debates and preferred to work in isolation
Answer: B) He dedicated his life to fighting for Dalit rights and education
5. Why did Ambedkar convert to Buddhism in 1956?
A) To gain political power and influence
B) To reject caste-based discrimination and find spiritual equality
C) To live a peaceful and isolated life
D) To promote religious conversions for financial benefits
Answer: B) To reject caste-based discrimination and find spiritual equality
Nature of Discipline
According to B.R. Ambedkar, discipline is as important as food, clothes,
education, and character. He considers it as very important to live a happy life.
He was against imposing discipline forcefully on students as it makes their
minds fearful. Therefore, he was against repressionistic discipline and
emphasized free discipline, which encourages students to move forward and
continuously towards their goals. He further said that discipline should not be
confined to schools and colleges only; it should be grasped in life. He believed
that discipline can be taught through encouragement, not by force. Discipline
should be internalized voluntarily, not just followed out of compulsion.
Personal life Philosophy
Dr. Ambedkar's philosophy enshrined the social and political enlightenment for his
community. It was the outcome of the total dissatisfaction with the humiliating
treatment method to the members of his community by the so-called high-caste
Hindus. He asserted that political democracy cannot be assured unless social
democracy lies at its base. Throughout his childhood, Ambedkar faced the stigma of
caste discrimination. Discrimination followed wherever he went. Even while working as
defense secretary of the King of Baroda, he had to face humiliations. According to
Ambedkar, Indian social and political history is nothing but a glorification of upper
castes and degradation of lower castes and lower strata of society. He fought against the
two principal inhuman social evils prevalent in Hindu society: untouchability and
casteism. Ambedkar started newspapers such as Mooknayak, Bahishkrit Bharat, and
Samata, which acted as the authentic voices of the Depressed classes.
Liberty, equality, Fraternity were core principles of his life. He emphasized
upon constitutional methods to achieve social objectives. He opposed the path
of violence. Instead he took the path of peace and non-violence. He believed in
the efficacy of law and constitution. He considered fundamental rights to be of
paramount importance for the development of individual's personality.
Dr. Ambedkar sought to create a new social order in which no person should
be discriminated against on the grounds of caste, religion, creed etc. The
castes for Ambedkar, were anti-national because they brought about
separation in social life. He believed that unless political power is not secured
in hands of social, legal and cultural disabilities, from which the oppressed
sections were suffering. Dr. Ambedkar gave highest priority to education in his
struggle for the liberation of the dalits from the oppressive caste ridden society
MCQ
1. What were the two inhuman social evils prevalent in Hindu society
ambedkar was against?
a) untouchability and casteism
b) Education and Job
c) Equality and Fraternity
d) untouchability and Education
2)..........newspapers are started by Ambedkar
a) Mooknayak, Bahishkrit Bharat and samata
b) News India, Hindu
c) Harijan , Young India
d) Kaumudi, Rajya Samachar
3) According to Ambedkar, Discipline Should be confined to schools and colleges only. True/False
4) Ambedkar believed that discipline can be taught through ----------------
a) encouragement
b) discouragement
c) forcefully
d) lessons
5) For which Ambedkar gave paramount importance?
a) Discipline
b) Exams
c) fundamental rights
d) philosophy
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Meaning of Education
*Dr .B.R Ambedkar defined education as the"Realization of one's
potential and the means to bring about Social transformation.
*In other words ,"It is a weapon of creation of mental and the
educational development ,a weapon of eradication of slavery of
economic development of political freedom.
Dr.B.R . Ambedkar believe about Education:
1)It is a Right:
Education should be available to everyone, regardless of caste ,status or sex
It is common to everyone. No one will change the right according to themselves.
2) Tool for Social change:
It should be tool for fighting against social inequalities and prejudice.
3) Prerequisite for Social movements:
Education is a necessary step for launching social movements.It fosters or gives
awareness about social issues . Knowledge of laws ,rightsand policies helps movements
4)Way to breakdown caste divisions:
Education will help people to leave their old thoughts and cultural according to the
caste divisions.It will teach every people in India is common and don't treat people
according to their caste .
5)Way to empower the oppressed:
Education could help people fight against injustice and exploitation.It will help people
to protest against the wrong actions happening in a unite manner.
6)Way to achieve freedom:
Education could help people break free from social and economic oppression .
People will speak free and it is the way to achieve freedom and helps in breaking the
social slavery.
Aims of Education:
According to B.R.Ambedkar ,Aims of education includes,
1)Social Liberation and Equality
2) Self respect and Dignity
3) Economic development
4) Democratic Citizenship
5)Social transformation
6)Moral and Ethical development
Social Liberation and Equality:
*Education should help eradicate social inequalities especially the caste system
and promote equal opportunities for all.It will remove social discrimination.
*It will create awareness about rights.
*It should provide equal access to all people.
Self Respect and Dignity:
It should help individual to develop confidence.Eduaction will give dignity to each
and everyone. It will enhance the self respect of the people.
Economic Empowerment:
Education should provide skills for employment and economic growth. It is very
important for self reliance and independence.
Democratic Citizenship:
Education prepare individuals to participate in democratic governance.It will help
people to work for the betterment of the nation.
Social Transformation:
Education is a tool to transform society by promoting critical thinking and
democratic values. It is a tool for social reform .
Moral and Ethical development:
It will emphasis on developing character. Education will help individual to develop
the responsibility towards society.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, what is primary purpose of education?
a)To gain wealth
b)To get a government job
c)To empower individuals and bring social change
d)To memorize religious texts
Answer:c)To empower individuals and bring social change
2.Dr. Ambedkar believed that education should be used as a tool for:
a) Social Discrimination
b) Political dominance
c) Social Empowerment and upliftment
d) Economic exploitation
Answer:c) Social Empowerment and upliftment
3.Dr.Ambedkar's famous slogan related to education is:
a)Work is Worship
b)Educate,Agitate, Organize
c) Knowledge is power
d) Education is only for the rich
Answer:b)Educate,Agitate, Organize
4.Who said education is a weapon of eradication of social slavery?
a)M.K.Gandhi
b)Plato
c)B.R.Ambedkar
d)Froebel
Answer:c)B.R.Ambedkar
5.By whom Ambedkar was deeply influenced about education?
a) Aristotle
b)John Dewey
c) Rabindranath Tagore
d)Paulo Frieri
Answer:b)John Dewey
ROLE OF TEACHER
Dr. BR Ambedkar did contemplate that teacher plays its responsible and crucial role for all-
round development of his/her students. He possessed the viewpoint that if country has
efficient teachers, then the nation will able to create good and useful students and citizens
for our country. He had a great respect for teachers and was in favour of giving a
considerable remarkable respect to teachers.
He had the bent of mind that the teachers must pay their responsibility to ensure to create
healthy and sound personality of their learners considering their prior job responsibility. A
good teacher must have positive and democractic attitude towards all his/her students
belonging to different sections, classes, religion and castes of society.
VISION OF EDUCATION
Dr. BR Ambedkar’s vision for education was defined by a never ending pursuit of equality,
social justice and empowerment. He felt that education might revolutionise society and
empower marginalised populations, notably Dalits. Ambedkar emphasized equal access to
education for all people, regardless of caste, creed or socioeconomic background.
Ambedkar’s educational vision aims to propagate enlightened ideas among the people in
order to rebuild society on the values of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice. Ambedkar’s
word “Education is a weapon of creation of mental and educational development, a weapon
of eradication of social slavery of economic development and political freedom”. The major
element of his educational philosophy is to instil the ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity,
justice and moral integrity in people of all background. Ambedkar was not only the man of
age and the builder of the structure, but also the founder of a new social order for benefit of
the oppressed. His vision for
education continues to motivate efforts to provide comprehensive and fair educational
opportunities for all people, in keeping with his values of social justice and empowerment .
1. PROMOTION OF EDUCATION FOR ALL
Ambedkar firmly believed that education was the key to social and economic
empowerment, especially for the marginalized sections of society. He emphasized the need
for universal education and worked to remove barriers preventing lower castes for accessing
schools and colleges.As the chief architect of Indian constitutions, Ambedkar ensured the
right to education for all.
• ARTICLE 45: Free and compulsory education for children
• ARTICLE 46: Promotion of education fot ST,SC, and Backward classes
• RIGHT TO EDUCATION{2009}: Though enacted later, it was influenced by
Ambedkar’s vision of universal education
2. FOUNDING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Ambedkar established several educational institutions to promote learning among the
marginalized communities, including
• BAHISHKRIT HITAKARINI SABHA{1924}
To spread education among the oppressed classes
• PEOPLE’S EDUCATION SOCIETY{1945}
It founded colleges like Millind College[Aurangabad] and Siddharth College[Bombay] to
promote higher education
3. WOMEN’S EDUCATION
He strongly supported women’s education and empowerment, believing that an educated
woman could uplift entire generation. He encouraged the abolition pf social practices that
hindered woman’s education like child marriage and caste-based discrimination.
4. RESERVATION IN EDUCATION
He was instrumental in securing reservation policies in educational institutions for
scheduled castes(SC) and scheduled tribes(ST), ensuring equal opportunities for
disadvantaged groups.
5. ROLE IN UGC
UGC stands for UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION. He proposed the establishment
of institutions that would regulate and promote higher education, which later influenced the
creation of bodies like UGC
PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATION
He saw education as a means of achieving social democracy, where every individual
irrespective of caste or gender, could have equal rights and opportunities.
His famous slogan “Educate”, “Agitate”, “Organize” encouraged people to seek knowledge,
fight for their rights and unite for social reform.
1. What did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar believe about the role of teachers?
a) Teachers should focus only on academic excellence.
b) Teachers play a crucial role in the all-round development of students.
c) Teachers should prioritize discipline over education.
d) Teachers should only teach students from privileged backgrounds.
Answer: b) Teachers play a crucial role in the all-round development of students.
2. According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, what is the primary purpose of education?
a) To create economic inequality.
b) To promote social justice, equality, and empowerment.
c) To maintain traditional caste systems.
d) To focus solely on political freedom.
Answer: b) To promote social justice, equality, and empowerment.
3. Which article of the Indian Constitution ensures free and compulsory education for children?
a) Article 46
b) Article 45
c) Article 21
d) Article 15
Answer: b) Article 45
4. Which of the following institutions was established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to promote education among marginalized communities?
a) University Grants Commission (UGC)
b) Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha
c) National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
d) All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Answer: b) Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha
5. What was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s view on women’s education?
a) He believed women’s education was unnecessary.
b) He strongly supported women’s education and empowerment.
c) He thought women should only be educated in traditional roles.
d) He opposed women’s education due to cultural norms.
Answer: b) He strongly supported women’s education and empowerment.
6. What was the significance of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s slogan “Educate, Agitate, Organize”?
a) It encouraged people to focus only on academic achievements.
b) It urged people to seek knowledge, fight for their rights, and unite for social reform.
c) It emphasized the importance of political power over education.
d) It promoted the idea of economic development without social change.
Answer: b) It urged people to seek knowledge, fight for their rights, and unite for social reform.
7. Which policy was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar instrumental in securing for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST)?
a) Free healthcare for all
b) Reservation in educational institutions
c) Land redistribution programs
d) Employment guarantees in the private sector
Answer: b) Reservation in educational institutions
