Dr. Ambedkar and Untouchability: Fighting the Indian Caste System

by Christophe Jaffrelot

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956) rose from a community of "untouchables," to become a major figure in modern Indian history. Christophe Jaffrelot's biography reconsiders Dr. Ambedkar's life and thought and his unique combination of pragmatism and idealism. Establishing himself as a scholar, activist, journalist, and educator, Ambedkar ultimately found himself immersed in Indian politics and helped to draft the nation's constitution as law minister in Nehru's first cabinet. Ambedkar's ideas remain an inspiration to India's Dalit community.

Genres: India, History, Nonfiction, Politics, Biography Memoir

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Vik · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many generations of ours have worn themselves out by rubbing their foreheads on the steps of the god? But when did the god take pit on you? What big thing has he done for you? Generation after generation, you have been used to clean the village of its garbage and god gave you the dead animals to eat. In spite of all that, god did not show you any pity. It is not this god that you worship, it is your ignorance.
- B. R. Ambedkar

[Conrad Barwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good study of Ambedkar, incorporating not only his better know attributes and achievements but also his pragmatism, adherence to constitutional methods, qualified nationalism and belief in democratic individualism and modernisation as essential to the emancipation of Dalits.

[Brian Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource to understand Amdedkar's thinking and also od Mahrarashtran caste statistics pre-Independence.

[bhushan · Rating 4 out of 5]

डॉ. आंबेडकर की जीवनी

डॉ. आंबेडकर भारतीय इतिहास के एक ऐसे व्यक्तिमत्व है जिनके कई पहलु है और उन सभी अंगो का विश्लेषन करना एक महत्वपूर्ण जिम्मेदारी है| जफ्रेलोत इन्होने इस जिम्मेदारी का महत्व समझते हुए वह काफी सटीकता से निभाई हे यह पुस्तक पढ़नेके बाद समझ में आता ही है| किसी भी तरह की कठिनाई जो डॉ. आंबेडकर को झेलनी पड़ी उसमे उन्होंने एक लक्ष को अपने आँखों से ओझल नहीं होने दिया वह ये था की -अपने अस्पृश्य समाज की उसकी कठिनाई भरे हालत से बाहर निकलना|

[Sachin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Republib Day read to cherish one of the creator of republic of India. Always a pleasure to learn about the legend.

The book is closely connected with Ambedkar's life with Freedom of India and its event around it.

[Amol Gharde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baba you r the best . I love you