10 Key Lines on Dr B.R. Ambedkar — Life, Work and Legacy
This work has been verified by our teacher: 20.01.2026 at 17:16
Type of homework: History Essay
Added: 19.01.2026 at 10:48
Summary:
Explore 10 key lines on Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s life, work, and legacy to understand his role in shaping India’s history and championing social equality.
10 Lines on B.R. Ambedkar
India’s modern history is adorned with inspiring figures who changed the trajectory of our nation, but few have left as deep an imprint on the collective conscience as Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Popularly known as Babasaheb, he was much more than just the chief architect of the Indian Constitution—he was a voice for the voiceless, a champion of equality, and an unwavering visionary concerned about the soul of the nation. To truly understand Dr. Ambedkar’s importance, it is essential to look at the India he was born into: a land shackled by the rigid bonds of caste, where millions of people were denied basic human dignity. It was against this backdrop that young Ambedkar charted a new path, facing hardships that challenged his body, mind, and spirit.
In this essay, I will present ten important lines summarising the life, work, and legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, while exploring their deeper meanings and significance in our present-day context.
---
Early Life and Education
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was born on 14th April 1891 in the small military cantonment town of Mhow, in present-day Madhya Pradesh. His family belonged to the Mahar community, a group historically branded as ‘untouchable’ by the prevailing social order. This meant Ambedkar was systematically discriminated against from a very young age—denied equal access to water, made to sit separately in school, and made to feel less than human by society’s norms. Yet, his hunger for education could not be suppressed. Supported by his father, Ramji Maloji Sakpal, and with help from progressive mentors, Ambedkar became the first from his community to matriculate from Elphinstone High School in Mumbai, overcoming what seemed insurmountable barriers.Determined never to let poverty or prejudice decide his fate, he went on to complete his graduation in Economics and Political Science from Bombay University. Later, thanks to a scholarship from the Maharaja of Baroda, he travelled abroad—an almost unthinkable dream for a “Dalit” in those times. At Columbia University in New York, he completed his Masters and Doctorate, and also obtained a D.Sc. from the prestigious London School of Economics. His academic prowess was astonishing—Ambedkar was among the first Indians, and certainly the first Dalit, to gain such international recognition. For students today, his life teaches us that education is not just a privilege, but a tool for liberation and empowerment.
---
Social Reforms and Fight Against Untouchability
To comprehend Dr. Ambedkar’s impact, one must first grasp the horror of untouchability—a practice which labelled millions as “polluted,” prohibiting them from entering temples, wells, or even sharing a touch with other castes. As a voice for the outcastes, Ambedkar launched a powerful social struggle to restore basic rights and dignity to the marginalised. He started influential newspapers such as ‘Mooknayak’ (meaning ‘leader of the voiceless’) to articulate the pain and aspirations of the suppressed communities.One of his most potent acts was the symbolic burning of Manusmriti—a Hindu scripture that, in his interpretation, legitimised caste hierarchy and unfair treatment of the “lower” castes. By setting the text aflame publically at Mahad in 1927, Ambedkar demonstrated the importance of rejecting outdated, unjust traditions. He also led the historic Mahad Satyagraha, demanding everyone’s right to access public water sources, and campaigned for temple entry for Dalits, as seen in the Kalaram Temple movement in Nashik.
Ambedkar always believed that true freedom cannot be achieved unless social justice is embedded in the soul of the nation. He encouraged Dalits to educate themselves, organise collectively, and agitate peacefully to demand their due rights.
---
Contribution to Indian Constitution
Emerging as the foremost leader of the Dalit movement, B.R. Ambedkar’s reputation as a legal and political thinker led to his appointment as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution in 1947. Sitting at the Constituent Assembly, Ambedkar steered the framing of the Constitution with unwavering commitment to justice, liberty, and equality. He played a pivotal role in shaping fundamental rights—ensuring that discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion, or gender was explicitly outlawed.Article 17, which abolishes untouchability, was a direct outcome of his lifelong battle. He was also the primary architect of policies for reservation or affirmative action—giving Scheduled Castes and Tribes a chance in education and jobs, a legacy that stirs healthy debates even today. Ambedkar also championed women’s rights, advocating for laws ensuring their protection and participation in governance and society. His vision was clear: India must be a nation where everyone’s human dignity is sacred, and no one is relegated to a life of suffering simply by birth.
---
Political Career and Achievements
Following independence, Ambedkar was invited by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to serve as the first Law Minister of India. In this role, he introduced landmark bills like the Hindu Code Bill, which, though controversial and at the time partially unsuccessful, laid the groundwork for gender justice in matters of marriage, inheritance, and divorce among Hindus. He held seats on important policy commissions and was a tireless parliamentarian.Dr. Ambedkar’s achievements were recognised by the government when he was conferred the Bharat Ratna—India’s highest civilian award—in 1990, decades after his death. His life demonstrates that one can contribute to nation-building in multiple ways: as a scholar, activist, policymaker, orator, and legislator.
---
Later Life and Legacy
Despite his towering successes, Ambedkar realised that the roots of caste oppression in Hindu society were too deep to be remedied by constitutional or legal changes alone. In 1956, along with nearly five lakh followers, he embraced Buddhism at Nagpur, renouncing Hinduism. This ‘Dhammachakra Pravartan Din’ (conversion ceremony) marked the genesis of the Dalit Buddhist movement in India. His magnum opus ‘The Buddha and His Dhamma’ explores why Buddhism’s values of compassion, reason, and social equality were compatible with his ideals.Dr. Ambedkar passed away on 6th December 1956 in Delhi. Today, his birth anniversary is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti across the nation with great enthusiasm—an occasion marked not only by Dalits, but all Indians who cherish equality, liberty, and human dignity. Numerous universities, scholarships, and public memorials bear his name, keeping his vision alive and relevant.
---
The 10 Lines on B.R. Ambedkar
1. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was born on 14th April 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. 2. He came from the Mahar community, which suffered from severe caste discrimination. 3. Ambedkar overcame social barriers to become one of India’s most educated men. 4. He studied at Columbia University and London School of Economics, becoming a renowned scholar. 5. Ambedkar was a relentless crusader against untouchability and caste injustice. 6. He started journals like ‘Mooknayak’ and led historic movements like the Mahad Satyagraha. 7. Ambedkar was appointed the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee in 1947. 8. He ensured the Constitution gave equal rights and abolished untouchability. 9. He served as independent India’s first Law Minister and promoted gender justice. 10. His conversion to Buddhism and birthday, Ambedkar Jayanti, inspire millions even today.---
Conclusion
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s life is a testament to the power of education, courage, and compassion in transforming not just one’s own condition, but the destiny of millions. From challenging the status quo to laying the foundation for modern Indian democracy, Ambedkar paved the way for a just society where law, not lineage, determines one’s place. He is proof that intellect, perseverance, and moral conviction can conquer even the oldest injustices.For all students, Ambedkar’s legacy is a constant reminder: Never accept discrimination, always question injustice, and remember that education is the greatest tool for self-empowerment. As Ambedkar famously urged, “Educate, Agitate, Organise”—a message as relevant in today’s India as it was in his own time. Let us resolve to honour his memory by upholding the principles he lived and died for: equality, fraternity, and justice for all.
Rate:
Log in to rate the work.
Log in