Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Documentary| Original Video Of Dr. Ambedkar | Film Division India

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:09][music] >> Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.

[00:00:18]Dr. Ambedkar dedicated his life to the cause of the downtrodden in their struggle for equality and justice.

[00:00:37]Born of humble parents, Bhimrao was the 14th child of an army subedar.

[00:00:45]From his early years, he suffered the torments of the caste system.

[00:00:55]Bhimrao had his primary schooling at Dapoli in Konkan district and at Satara.

[00:01:04]Everywhere he was subjected to the sting of caste discrimination, but he persevered in his quest for learning.

[00:01:25]>> [music] [music] >> The family moved to Bombay.

[00:01:37]Though burdened by privations, Ambedkar finally moved on from school to college aided by a scholarship.

[00:01:46]Exemplary in his studies, conduct, and character, Ambedkar won high praise from the principal of the Elphinstone College, from where he graduated in 1912.

[00:02:04]Sri Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda renewed Ambedkar's scholarship.

[00:02:13]He went to Columbia University, New York.

[00:02:16]He earned a master's degree in economics and later a doctorate.

[00:02:26]Back in India, Ambedkar joined the staff of Sydenham College.

[00:02:30]A short stint of service helped him save money to complete his studies both in economics and law in England.

[00:02:39]>> [music] >> Family responsibilities on the one hand, the struggle for emancipation on the other.

[00:02:51]Undeterred by adversities, Ambedkar, now a barrister, enrolled at the Bombay High Court in 1924.

[00:03:02]As a member of the Bombay Legislative Assembly, an active public career was already in the making.

[00:03:10]Ambedkar's life came to be linked with the cause of the depressed classes who were suffering not only the pangs >> [music] >> It was time for direct action.

[00:03:23]A public tank at Mahad in Kolaba district of Maharashtra was claimed by caste Hindus as private property.

[00:03:32]Harijans were being denied their civic rights of drawing water from this pond.

[00:03:37]In 1927, Ambedkar and his followers led a Satyagraha to protest against this unjust practice.

[00:03:45]A long drawn out legal battle followed.

[00:03:57]>> Finally, the courts upheld the demand of the Harijans.

[00:04:00]A victory for Ambedkar.

[00:04:04]In his continuous crusade against untouchability, Ambedkar started a series of journals to wage war against caste system.

[00:04:14]In a Marathi fortnightly, Bahishkrit Bharat, Ambedkar issued an editorial notice to the Hindu Dharma to reform itself.

[00:04:25]Among the various appointments Ambedkar held early in his career was that of principal of the Government Law College in Bombay, a tribute to his intellectual caliber.

[00:04:39]>> [music] >> For the emancipation of women in those days of hidebound tradition, Ambedkar initiated various movements.

[00:04:52]A Harijan wedding conducted according to Vedic rites by a Brahmin Purohit symbolized the assertion of the right of the depressed classes to be treated as equals.

[00:05:04]Dr. Ambedkar now emerged as the undisputed leader of the depressed classes.

[00:05:10]To one and all, he became Babasaheb.

[00:05:14]Ambedkar's house in Bombay, Rajgraha, was to become the center of many of his activities.

[00:05:22]Ambedkar was a keen collector of books.

[00:05:25]All his leisure hours were spent in reading and writing.

[00:05:31]He has 11 major works and many other publications to his credit.

[00:05:45]The area of activities was constantly widening and in each sphere Ambedkar brought together a band of dedicated workers to fight for economic and social justice.

[00:06:01]The temple entry movement was launched to assert the equality of all castes in the eyes of God.

[00:06:08]In 1930, Ambedkar organized a march to the Kalaram Temple at Nasik in Maharashtra.

[00:06:15]>> [music] [music] >> The Janata, a people's weekly, was established in the same year to advocate social equality.

[00:06:36]>> [music] [music] >> Ambedkar was a delegate to all the three sessions of the Round Table Conference in London.

[00:06:57]Here he demanded separate electorates for the Harijans.

[00:07:01]The result was the announcement of the Communal Award in August of 1932.

[00:07:09]>> [music] >> Ambedkar had to face a resolute Gandhi who declared that he would resist with his life the award of separate electorates to the Harijans.

[00:07:21]The fast unto death undertaken by the Mahatma led to the signing of the Poona Pact.

[00:07:27]Seats for Harijans were reserved in general constituencies.

[00:07:33]Ambedkar at a public meeting declared that the shackles of the caste system left no alternative for the sufferers except to walk out of Hinduism.

[00:07:45]Ambedkar's stature in the political field was steadily growing.

[00:07:49]He was appointed a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council.

[00:07:53]He utilized this opportunity to promote the welfare of the depressed >> [music] >> In 1945, Babasaheb founded the People's Education Society, which established a number of educational institutions for scheduled caste students.

[00:08:16]>> [music] >> As an educationist, Ambedkar was fully aware of the importance of learning for emancipation.

[00:08:24]The curse of the caste system had condemned the depressed classes to ignorance and degradation.

[00:08:37]Ambedkar donated his large collection of books to the Siddharth College, Bombay, to help the generations to come.

[00:08:45]>> [music] >> On the national scene, the struggle for independence was entering a final phase.

[00:08:55]The Cripps mission explored the possibilities of settling the Indian political problem.

[00:09:00]The mission was a failure with almost all leaders turning down the proposal.

[00:09:09]>> [music] >> Dr. Ambedkar, representing the depressed classes, also rejected the scheme.

[00:09:21]>> [music] >> Mahatma Gandhi called the Cripps offer a post-dated check.

[00:09:30]>> [music] >> Finally, in 1946, the British Cabinet Mission arrived to discuss plans for the transfer of power.

[00:09:40]An interim government was to be set up and the constituent assembly formed to draw up the constitution of independent India.

[00:09:49]Dr. Ambedkar was elected to the constituent assembly from Bengal.

[00:09:54]In August of 1947, the constituent assembly set up a drafting committee to draw up the constitution with law minister Ambedkar as chairman.

[00:10:07]>> [music] >> Speaking in the constituent assembly, Dr. Ambedkar said, So far, as the ultimate goal is concerned, I think none of us need have any apprehension.

[00:10:26]None of us need have any doubt.

[00:10:31]But my fear, which I must express clearly, is this.

[00:10:39]Our difficulty, as I said, is not about the ultimate future.

[00:10:44]Our difficulty is how to make the heterogeneous mass that we have today take a decision in common and march in a cooperative way on that road which is bound to lead us to unity.

[00:11:06]Our difficulty is not with regard to the ultimate.

[00:11:09]Our difficulty is with regard to the beginning.

[00:11:14]Mr. Chairman, therefore, I like a strong united center.

[00:11:31]>> [music] >> The constitution >> [music] >> Ever since independence, the nation has pursued the goal of social and economic justice, especially for the depressed classes.

[00:11:48]Untouchability stands abolished, and any imposition of disability on this account is an offense.

[00:11:55]Here is a center for special training of scheduled caste students appearing for the Indian Administrative Service examination. [music] The Republic of India had Dr. Ambedkar as the first law minister.

[00:12:11]As Union Law Minister, Dr. Ambedkar sought to pilot the Hindu Code Bill to ensure uniformity of the law throughout the country and to reform social and religious practices.

[00:12:23]Failing in this mission, Dr. Ambedkar resigned from the Union Cabinet on September the 27th, 1951.

[00:12:31]Recognizing Dr. Ambedkar's role as a constitutional expert, Columbia University honored him with a doctorate of law.

[00:12:45]In Bombay, a vast multitude had lost their beloved leader.

[00:12:51]In the struggle for social and economic justice in the history of India, Babasaheb Ambedkar will always be remembered as a great emancipator.

[00:13:06]>> [music] [music]