Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Timeline of Important Events in Life

Apr 14, 1891

Born at Mahu (Madhya Pradesh), the fourteenth child of Subhedar Ramji Sapkal and Mrs Bhimabai Ambedkar.

1896

Death of the mother, Mrs Bhimabai Ambedkar

Nov 1900

Entered the Government High School at Satara.

1904

Entered the Elphinstone High School at Bombay.

1906

Married Ramabhai daughter of Mr. Bhiku Walangkar, one of the relations of Gopal Baba Walangkar

1907

Passed Matriculation Examination, secured 382 marks out of 750.

1908

Honoured in a meeting presided over by Shri S K Bole, Shri K A (Dada) Keluskar Guruji presented a book on the life of Gautam Buddha written by him. Entered the Elphinstone College, Bombay.

Dec 1912

Birth of the son Yeshwant.

1913

Passed B.A Examination with Persian and English from University of Bombay, secured 449 marks out of 1000.

Feb 1913

Death of father Subhedar Ramji Maloji Ambedkar at Bombay.

July 1913

Gaikwar's Scholar in the Columbia University, New York, reading in the Faculty of Political Science.

June 5, 1915

Passed M.A. Examination majoring in Economics and with Sociology, History Philosophy, Anthropology and Politics as the other subjects of study.

May 1916

Read a paper on The Castes in India' before Prof. Goldernweiser's Anthropology Seminar. The paper was later published in The Indian Antiquary in May 1917. It was also republished in the form of a brochure, the first published work of Dr Ambedkar. Wrote a Thesis entitled 'The National Divident of India – A Historical and Analytical Study' for the Ph.D Degree.

June 1916

Left Colombia University after completing work for the Ph.D, to join the London School of Economics and Political Science, London as a graduate student.

1917

Columbia University conferred a Degree of Ph.D.

June 1917

Return to India after spending a year in London working on the thesis for the M.Sc. (Econ) Degree. The return before completion of the work was necessitated by the termination the scholarship granted by the Baroda State.

July 1917

Appointed as Military Secretary to H.H. the Maharaja Gaikwar of Baroda with a view Finance Minister. But left shortly due to ill. Treatment meted out to him because of his lowly caste.

Published "Small Holdings in India and Their Remedies".

1918

Gave evidence before the Southborough Commission on Franchise. Attended the Conference of the depressed Classes held at Nagpur.

Nov 1918

Professor of Political Economy in the Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics, Bombay.

Jan 31, 1920

Started a Marathi Weekly paper Mooknayak to champion the cause of the depressed classes. Shri Nandram Bhatkar was the editor, later Shri Dyander Gholap was the editor.

Mar 21, 1920

Attended depressed classes Conference held under the presidency of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj at Kolhapur.

Mar 1920

Resigned professorship at Sydenham College to resume his studies in London.

May 1920

Memorable speech in Nagpur, criticised Karmaveer Shinde and Depressed Classes Mission.

Sept 1920

Rejoined the London School of Economics. Also entered Gray's Inn to read for the Bar.

June 1921

The thesis 'Provincial Decentralisation of Imperial Finance in British India' was accepted for M.Sc. (Econ) Degree by the London University.

1922-23

Spent some time in reading economics in the University of Bonn in Germany.

Mar 1923

The Thesis 'The Problem of the Rupee – Its origin and its solution' was accepted for the degree of D.Sc. (Econ.). The thesis was published in December 1923 by P S King & Company, London. Reissued by Thacker & Company, Bombay in May 1947 under the title History of Indian Currency and Banking Vol. 1.

1923

Called to the Bar.

April 1923

Returned to India.

June 1924

Started practice in the Bombay High Court.

July 20, 1924

Founded the 'Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha' for the uplift of the depressed classes. The aims of the Sabha were educate, agitate, organise.

1923

Published 'The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India' - dissertation on the provincial decentralisation of Imperial
Finance in India'.

Opened a hostel for Untouchable students at Barshi.

1926

Gave evidence before the Royal Commission on Indian Currency (Hilton Young Commisssion).

Nominated Member of the Bombay Legislative Council.

Mar 20, 1927

Started Satyagraha at Mahad (Dist Kolaba) to secure to the untouchables the Right of access to the Chavdar Tank.

April 3, 1927

Started a fortnightly Marathi paper Bahiskrit Bharat Dr Ambedkar himself was the editor.

Sept 1927

Established 'Samaj Samata Sangh'.

Dec 1927

Second Conference in Mahad.

Mar 1928

Introduced the "Vatan Bill" in the Bombay Legislative Council.

May 1928

Gave evidence before the Indian Statutory Committee (Simon Commission).

June 1928

Professor. Government Law College Bombay.

Principal. Government Law College Bombay.

1928-29

Member. Bombay Presidency Committee of the Simon Committee.

Mar 1930

Satyagraha at Kalram Temple. Nasik to secure for the Untouchables the right of entry into the temple.

1930-32

Delegate. Round Table Conference representing Untouchables of India.

Sept 1932

Signed with Mr. M.K. Gandhi the Poona Pact giving up, to save Gandhi's life. separate electorates granted to the Depressed Classes by Ramsay MacDonald's Communal Award, and accepting, instead representation through joint electorates.

1932-34

Member joint Parliamentary Committee on the Indian Constitutional Reform.

1934

Left Parel, Damodar Hall and came to stay in 'Rajagriha' Dadar (Bombay). This was done in order to get more accommodation for his library which was increasing day by day.

May 26, 1933

Death of wife. Mrs. Ramabai Ambedkar.

June 1935

Dr. Ambedkar was appointed as Principal of Government Law College, Bombay. He was also appointed Perry Professor of
Jurisprudence.

Oct 30

Historical Yeola Conversion Conference held under the Presidentship of Dr. Ambedkar at Yeola Dist., Nasik. He exhorted the Depressed Classes to leave Hinduism and embrace another religion. He declared: 'I was born as a Hindu but I will not die as a Hindu'. He also advisedhis followers to abandon the Kalaram Mandi entry Satyagriha, Nasik.

Dec

Dr. Ambedkar was invited by the Jat Pat Todak Mandal of Lahore to preside over the Conference. Dr.Ambedkar prepared his historical speech. The Annihilation of Caste'. The conference was cancelled by the Mandal on the ground that Dr.Ambedkar's thoughts were revolutionary. Finally, Dr. Ambedkar refused to preside and published his speech in book form in1937.

Jan 12-13, 1936

The Depressed Classes Conference was held at Pune.

Dr. Ambedkar reiterated his resolve of the Yeola Conference to leave Hinduism. The conference was presided over by Rav Bahadur N. Shina Raj.

Feb 29

Dr. Ambedkar's Conversion Resolution was supported by theChambars (Cobblers) of East Khandesh.

May 30

Bombay Presidency Conversion Conference (Mumbai Elaka Mahar Panshad) of Mahars was held at Naigaum (Dadar) to sound their opinion on the issue of Conversion. Mr. Subha Rao, popularly known as Hydrabadi Ambedkar, presided over the Conference. In the morning the Ascetics shaved their beards, moustaches and destroyed their symbols of Hinduism in an Ascetic's Conference.

June 15

Conference of Devadasis was held m Bombay to support Dr. Ambedkar's Resolution of Conversion.

June 18

Dr. Ambedkar-Dr. Moonje talks on conversion. Pro Sikkhism.

June 23

Matang Parishad in support of Conversion.

Aug

Dr. Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party, a strong opposition party in Bombay's Legislative Council.

Sept 18

Dr.Ambedkar sent a delegation of 13 members to the Golden Temple Amritsar to study Sikkhism.

Nov 11

Dr.Ambedkar left for Geneva and London.

1937

Dr.Ambedkar organised the 'Municipal Workers' Union' Bombay in 1937.

Jan 14

Dr. Ambedkar returned to Bombay.

Feb 17

The First General Elections were held under the Govt. of India Act of 1935. Dr. Ambedkar was elected Member of Bombay Legislative Assembly (Total Seats 175. Reserved Seats 15. Dr. Ambedkar's Independent Labour Party won 17 seats.)

Mar 17

The Mahad Chowdar Tank case was decided in favour of D.C. by which they got a legal right to use the public wells and tanks.

July 31

Dr. Ambedkar received a grand reception at Chalisgaon Railway station.

Sept 17

Dr. Ambedkar introduced his Bill to abolish the Mahar Watan in the Assembly

Dec 31

Reception at Pandhapur on the way to Sholapur, where he was going to preside over the Sholapur District D.C'. Conference.

Jan 4, 1938

Reception given by the Sholapur Municipal Council.

Jan 1938

The Congress Party introduced a Bill making a change in the name of Untouchables. i.e. they would be called Harijansmeaning sons of God. Dr. Ambedkar criticised the Bill. as in his opinion the change of name would make no real change in their conditions. Dr. Ambedkar and Bhaurav Gaikwad protested against the use of the term Harijans in legal matters. When the ruling party by sheer force of numbers defeated the I.L.P., the Labour-Party group walked out of the Assembly in protest under the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar. He organised peasants march on Bombay Assembly. The peasants demanded the passing of Dr. Ambedkar's Bill for abolition of the Khoti system.

Jan 23, 1938

Dr. Ambedkar addressed a Peasants' Conference at Ahmedabad.

Feb 12-13, 1938

Dr. Ambedkar addressed a historical Conference of Railway workers at Manmad (Dist. Nasik).

April 1938

Dr. Ambedkar opposed creation of a separate Karnataka State in the national interest.

May 1938

Dr. Ambedkar resigned from the Principal-ship of the Government Law College, Bombay.

May 13-21, 1938

Dr. Ambedkar went on tour of Konkan Region. He also went to Nagpur in connection with a court case.

Aug 1938

A meeting was held at R.M. Bhat High School, Bombay for exposing Gandhiji's attitude in disallowing a D.C. man being taken into the Central Ministry.

Sept 1938

Dr. Ambedkar spoke on the Industrial Disputes Bill in the Bombay Assembly. He bitterly opposed it for its attempt to outlaw the right of workers to strike. He said: If Congressmen believe that Swaraj is their birth-right, then the right to strike is the birth-right of workers.

Oct 1, 1938

Dr. Ambedkar addressed a large gathering at Bawala, near Ahmedabad. On return he addressed another meeting at Premabhai Hall, Ahmedabad.

Nov 6, 1938

The Industrial Workers strike. The procession (under the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar, Nirnkar, Dange, Pasulkar etc) was organised from Kamgar Maidan to Jambori Maidan, Worii. Dr.Ambedkar toured the workers areas with Jamvadas Mehta.

Nov 10, 1938

Dr. Ambedkar moved a Resolution for adoption of the methods for birth-control in the Bombay Assembly.

Dec 1938

Dr. Ambedkar addressed the first D.C. Conference in Nizam's dominion at Mahad.

Jan 18, 1939

Dr. Ambedkar addressed a large gathering at Rajkot

Jan 19

Ambedkar-Gandhi talks.

Jan 29

Kale Memorial Lecture of Gorkhale School of Politics and Economics, Poona reviewing critically the All India Federation Scheme set out in the Govt. of India Act of 1935. The speech was issued in March 1939 as a tract for the times under the title 'Federation v/s Freedom'.

July

Dr. Ambedkar addressed a meeting organised for Rohidas Vidya Committee.

Oct

Dr.Ambedkar-Nehru first meeting.

Dec

The Conference at Haregaon was held under the Presidentship of Dr.Ambedkar to voice the grievances of Mahar and Mahar Watandass

May 1940

Dr. Ambedkar founded the 'Mahar Panchayat'.

July 22, 1940

Netaji Subash Chandra Bose met Dr. Ambedkar in Bombay.

Dec 1940

Dr. Ambedkar published his Thoughts on Pakistan. The second edition with the title Pakistan or Partition of India was issued in February 1945. A third impression of the book was published in 1946 under the title India's Political What's What: Pakistan or Partition of India.

Jan 1941

Dr.Ambedkar pursued the issue of recruitment of Mahars in the Army. In result the Mahars Battallion was formed

May 25, 1941

Mahar Dynast Panchayat Samiti was Formed by Dr. Ambedkar.

July 1941

Dr.Ambedkar was appointed to sit on the Defence Advisory Committee.

Aug 1941

The Conference was held at Sinnar in protest of tax on Mahar Watams. Dr.Ambedkar launched a no-tax campaign. He saw the Governor. Finally, the tax was abolished. The Mumbai Elaka Conference of Mahars, Mangs and Derdasis were organised under the Chairmanship of Dr.Ambedkar

April 1942

Dr. Ambedkar founded the All India Scheduled Castes Federation in Nagpur.

July 18, 1942

Dr. Ambedkar addressed All India D.C. Conference at Nagpur.

July 20, 1942

Dr.Ambedkar joined the Viceroy's Executive Council as a Labour Member

Dec 1942

Dr. Ambedkar submitted a paper on "The problems of the Untouchables in India" to the Institute of Pacific Relations at its Conference held in Canada. The paper is printed in the proceedings of the Conference. The paper was subsequently published in December 1943 in the book form under the title Mr Gandhi and Emancipation of the Untouchables.

Jan 19, 1943

Dr. Ambedkar delivered a Presidential address on the occasion of the 101st Birth Anniversary of Justice Mahader Govind Ranade. It is published in book form in April 1943 under the titleRanade. Gandhi and Jinnah.

1944

Dr. Ambedkar founded "The Building Trust and the Scheduled Caste Improvement Trust".

May 6, 1944

Dr.Ambedkar addressed the Annual Conference of the All India S.C. Federation at Parel (Bombay) The speech was later published under the title "The Communal Deadlock and a way to solve it.'

June 1944

Dr.Ambedkar published his book What Congress and Gandhi have done to the Untouchables - a complete compendium of information regarding the movement of the Untouchables for political safeguards. Dr.Ambedkar attended the Simla Conference.

July 1944

Dr Ambedkar founded 'People's Education Society' in Bombay.

1946

Dr Ambedkar gave evidence before the British delegation.

April 1946

Opening of Siddharth College of Arts and Science in Bombay

May 1946

The Bharat Bhushan Printing Press (founded by Dr Ambedkar) was burnt down in the clashes between D.C. and the Caste-Hindus

June 20, 1946

Siddharth College started

Sept

Dr Ambedkar went to London to urge before the British Government and the Opposition Party the need to provide safeguards for the D.C., on grant of Independence to India and thus to rectify the wrongs done to the D.C. by the Cabinet Mission.

Oct 13

Dr Ambedkar published his book. Who were Shudras? An enquiry into how the Shudras came to be the fourth Varna in the Indo-Aryan Society.

Dr Ambedkar was elected Member of the Constitution Assembly of India.

Nov

Dr Ambedkar's First speech in the Constituent Assembly. He called for a 'strong and United India'.

Mar 1947

Published 'States and Minorities'. A memorandum of Fundamental Rights, Minority Rights, safeguards for the D.C. and on the problems of Indian states.

April 29, 1947

Article 17 of the Constitution of India for the abolition of Untouchability was moved by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the Constituent Assembly and it was passed.

Aug 15, 1947

India obtained her Independence. Dr Ambedkar was elected to the Constituent Assembly by the Bombay Legislature Congress Party. Dr Ambedkar joined Nehru's Cabinet. He became the
First Law Minister of Independent India. The Constituent Assembly appointed him to the drafting Committee, which elected him as a Chairman on 29th August 1947.

Feb 1948

Dr Ambedkar completed the Draft Constitution of Indian Republic.

April 15, 1948

Second marriage - Dr Ambedkar married Dr Sharda Kabir in Delhi.

Oct 1948

Published his book The Untouchables. A thesis on the origin of Untouchability. Dr Ambedkar submitted his Memorandum, "Maharashtra as a linguistic Province" to the Dhar Commission. The Linguistic Provinces Commission).

Oct 4, 1948

Dr.Ambedkar presented the Draft Constitution to Constituent Assembly.

Nov 20, 1948

The Constituent Assembly adopted Article 17 of the Constitution for the abolition of Untouchability.

Jan 1949

Dr Ambedkar, Law Minister of India visited Hydrabad (Deccan)

Jan 15, 1949

Dr Ambedkar was presented with a Purse at Manmad by his admirers. He addressed a large gathering.

Jan 21, 1949

He stayed at Aurangabad in connection with his opening proposed College. During the stay he visited Ajanta - Ellora Caves.

Mar-May, 1949

Dr Ambedkar visited Bombay in connection with College work and for a medical check-up.

Sept 1949

Meeting between Dr Ambedkar and Madhavrao Golvalker, Chief of RRs and the residence of Dr Ambedkar at Delhi.

Nov 1949

Dr Ambedkar came to Bombay for college work meeting and medical check-up.

Nov 1949

Dr Ambedkar addressed the Constituent Assembly.

Nov 26, 1949

Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution. Dr Ambedkar came to Bombay for check-up.

Jan 11, 1950

Dr Ambedkar addressed the Siddharth College Parliament on the Hindu Code Bill. In the evening he was presented with a silver casket containing a copy of the Indian Constitution at Nare Park Maidan, Bombay.

May

Dr Ambedkar's article The Buddha and the Future His Religion' was published in the journal of Mahabodhi Society, Calcutta. Dr.Ambedkar addressed the Young Men's Buddhist Association on "The Rise and Fall of Hindu Women". Dr Ambedkar spoke on the "Merits of Buddhism" at the meeting arranged on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti in Delhi.

Sept 11, 1950

Dr Rajendra Prasad, the First President of the Indian Republic laid the foundation stone of Milind Maharidyalaya, Aurangabad. Dr.Ambedkar delivered a speech on the occasion (The printed speech is available with Mr Surwade)

Dec 1950

Dr Ambedkar went to Colombo as a Delegate to the World Buddhist Conference.

Feb 5, 1951

Dr.Ambedkar, Law Minister introduced his "Hindu Code Bill" in the Parliament.

April 15, 1951

Dr Ambedkar laid the foundation stone of "Dr Ambedkar Bhavan". Delhi.

July 1951

Dr Ambedkar founded "The Bhartiya Buddha Jansangh".

Sept 1951

Dr Ambedkar compiled a Buddhist prayer book Buddha Upasana Palha

Sept 9, 1951

Dr Ambedkar resigned from the Nehru Cabinet because, among other reasons, the withdrawal of Cabinet support to the Hindu Code Bill in spite of the earlier declaration in the Parliament by the Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, that his Government would stand or fall with the Hindu Code Bill. Apart from this Nehru announced that he will sink or swim with the Hindu Code Bill.

Dr Ambedkar published his speech in book form under the titleThe Rise and Fall of Hindu Women.

Sept 19, 1951

The marriage and divorce Bill was discussed in the Parliament.

Oct 11, 1951

Dr Ambedkar left the Cabinet.

Jan 1952

Dr Ambedkar was defeated in the First Lok Sabha elections held under the Constitution of Indian Republic. Congress candidate N. S. Kajrolkar defeated Dr Ambedkar.

Mar 1952

Dr Ambedkar was introduced into Parliament as a member of the Council (Rajya Sabha) of States, representing Bombay.

June 1, 1952

Dr Ambedkar left for New York from Bombay.

June 15, 1952

Columbia University (USA) conferred the honorary Degree of LL.D., in its Bi-Centennial Celebrations Special Convocation held in New York.

June 16, 1952

Dr Ambedkar returned to Bombay.

Dec 16, 1952

Dr Ambedkar addressed Annual Social Gathering of Elphinstone College, Bombay.

Dec 22, 1952

Dr Ambedkar delivered a talk on "Conditions Precedent to the Successful working of Democracy" at the Bar Council, Pune.

Jan 12, 1953

The Osmania University conferred the honorary Degree of LL.D on Dr Ambedkar.

Mar 1953

The Untouchability (offences) Bill was introduced in the Parliament by the Nehru Government.

April 1953

Dr Ambedkar contested the By-Election for Lok Sabha from Bhandara Constituency of Vidarbha Region but was defeated Congress Candidate Mr Borkar.

May 1953

Opening of Siddharth College of Commerce and Economics in Bombay.

Dec 1953

Dr Ambedkar inaugurated the All India Conference of Sai devotees at the St. X'avier's Maidan Parel Bombay (His inaugural speech is available with Mr Surwade)

May 1954

Dr Ambedkar visited Rangoon to attend the function arranged on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti.

June 1954

The Maharaja of Mysore donated 5 acres of land for Dr Ambedkar's proposed Buddhist Seminary to be started at Bangalore

Sept 16, 1954

Dr Ambedkar spoke on the Untouchability (Offences) Bill in the Rajya Sabha

Oct 3, 1954

Dr. Ambedkar broadcast his talk "My Personal Philosophy"

Oct 29, 1954

Shri R. D. Bhandare, President of Bombay Pradesh S.C. Federation presented a purse of Rs 118,000 on behalf of S.C.F. to Dr Ambedkar at Purandare Stadium, Naigaum (Bombay)

Dec 1954

Dr Ambedkar participated as delegate to the 3rd World Buddhist Conference at Rangoon.

April 3, 1955

Delivered a speech "Why Religion is necessary".

May 1955

Dr Ambedkar established Bhartiya Bauddha Mahasabha (The Buddhist Society of India

Aug 1955

Founded 'Murnbai Rajya Kanishtha

Garkamgart Association'

Dec 1955

Published his opinions on linguistic states in book form under the title Thoughts on linguistic States.

Dec 1955

Dr Ambedkar installed an image of Buddha at Dehu Road (near Pune)

Dec 27, 1955

Dr Ambedkar spoke against reservation of seats in the State and Central Legislatures.

Feb 1956

Dr Ambedkar completed his The Buddha and His Dhamma, Revolution & Counter-revolution in Ancient India.

Mar 15, 1956

Dr Ambedkar wrote and dictated the Preface of The Buddha and His Dhamma.

May 1, 1956

Dr Ambedkar spoke on Linguistic states in the Council of States.

Dr Ambedkar spoke on BBC London on "Why I like Buddhism", Also, he spoke for Voice Voice of America on "The Future of Indian
Democracy".

May 24, 1956

Dr Ambedkar attended a meeting at Nare Park organised on the eve of Buddha Jayanti, Shri B.G.Kher, Prime Minister of Bombay was Chief Guest. This meeting was the last meeting of Dr Ambedkar in Bombay.

June 1956

Opening of Siddharth College of Law in Bombay.

Oct 14, 1956

Dr Ambedkar embraced Buddhism at an historic ceremony at Diksha Bhoomi, Nagpur with his millions of followers. Announced to desolve S.C.F and establish Republican Party.

Nov 20, 1956

Delegate, 4th World Buddhist Conference, Khalinandu, where he delivered his famous speech famous speech 'Buddha or Karl Marx'.

Dec 6, 1956

Maha Nirvana at his residence, 26 Alipore Road,New Delhi.

Dec 7, 1956

Cremation at Dadar Chawpatti – Now known as Chaitya Bhoomi Dadar (Bombay).