Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 6 December 1956), popularly known as Baba Saheb, was an Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist Movement and campaigned against social discrimination against
Untouchables (Dalits), while also supporting the rights of women and labour. He was Independent India’s first law minister and the principal architect of the Constitution of India.
Ambedkar was a prolific student, earning
doctorates in economics from both Columbia
University and the London School of
Economics, and gained a reputation as a
scholar for his research in law, economics and
political science. In his early career he was an
economist, professor, and lawyer. His later life
was marked by his political activities; he
became involved in campaigning and
negotiations for
India’s independence,
publishing journals, advocating political rights
and social freedom for Dalits, and contributing
significantly to the establishment of the state
of India. In 1956 he converted to Buddhism,
initiating mass conversions of Dalits.
In 1990, the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, was posthumously conferred
