🟦 Episode 1: A Child of Caste and Courage (1891–1897)
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, a military cantonment in present-day Madhya Pradesh, into a Dalit (Mahar) family, historically regarded as "untouchables" in the Hindu caste system. From a very young age, Bhimrao faced harsh discrimination. He was not allowed to sit with upper-caste children or drink water from the same tap in school. Yet, his father Ramji Sakpal, a retired Subedar in the British Army, was determined to give him a good education. These early experiences of humiliation and injustice planted a fire within young Bhimrao—a fire to fight for equality.
---
🟦 Episode 2: Education – The First Step to Freedom (1898–1907)
Ambedkar moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) and enrolled in Elphinstone High School. In 1907, he became the first Dalit student in India to pass the matriculation examination, a milestone not just for him but for the entire community. His community celebrated his achievement with pride. He went on to pursue further education, deeply believing that knowledge was the key to social liberation.
---
🟦 Episode 3: Foreign Lands, New Ideas (1913–1917)
In 1913, Ambedkar received a scholarship from the Maharaja of Baroda and went to Columbia University in the United States. There, he studied Economics, Sociology, and Political Science, earning his Master's and later a Ph.D. For the first time in his life, he lived in a society where he wasn't judged by his caste. Afterward, he moved to London to study at the London School of Economics and also qualified as a barrister from Gray's Inn. These years abroad expanded his vision and shaped his ideas for a new, equal India.
---
🟦 Episode 4: The Baroda Betrayal (1917)
Returning to India, Ambedkar took up a government job in Baroda, but once again encountered brutal caste discrimination. No one in the office would give him a place to sit or allow him to stay in housing meant for Brahmins and upper-caste employees. Despite his global education, he was still seen as "untouchable." The humiliation was deep, but instead of giving up, it fueled his determination to challenge and destroy the caste system.
---
🟦 Episode 5: Rise of the Social Reformer (1918–1925)
Ambedkar began teaching as a professor at Sydenham College in Bombay while also writing and speaking boldly against untouchability. He launched newspapers like Mooknayak and Bahishkrut Bharat to raise awareness and empower Dalits. He started organizing the marginalized and speaking at public events, voicing their grievances. His sharp intellect and strong words earned him respect, and soon he emerged as a leading figure in India's social justice movement.
---
🟦 Episode 6: The Mahad Satyagraha and Manusmriti Burning (1927)
In 1927, Ambedkar led the Mahad Satyagraha, a peaceful protest demanding the right of Dalits to drink water from a public tank in Mahad. It was a symbolic fight against untouchability and social inequality. During this movement, he burned the Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text that he believed promoted caste hierarchy. This act sparked national debate and confirmed his position as the bold and uncompromising voice of the oppressed.
---
🟦 Episode 7: Clash with Gandhi – The Poona Pact (1930–1932)
At the Round Table Conferences in London, Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for Dalits so they could elect their own representatives. Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed this idea, fearing it would divide Hindu society. Gandhi went on a hunger strike in prison, which led to immense pressure on Ambedkar. Eventually, the two leaders signed the Poona Pact in 1932, agreeing to reserved seats for Dalits but within the general Hindu electorate. Ambedkar accepted the compromise but remained wary.
---
🟦 Episode 8: Political Battles and Social Awakening (1935–1946)
Realizing that caste oppression was deeply rooted in religion, Ambedkar declared, "I was born a Hindu, but I will not die a Hindu." He believed true equality wasn't possible within the Hindu framework. He founded the Scheduled Castes Federation and continued advocating for legal rights and social reforms. He worked on improving education, land rights, and job opportunities for the oppressed, gaining a devoted following.
---
🟦 Episode 9: Father of the Constitution (1947–1950)
After India gained independence in 1947, Dr. Ambedkar was appointed as the first Law Minister of India and the Chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Indian Constitution. He worked tirelessly to write a Constitution that guaranteed equality, liberty, and justice for all citizens, regardless of caste, creed, or gender. The Constitution was adopted on 26 January 1950, and with it, untouchability was officially abolished in law.
---
🟦 Episode 10: Resignation and Health Decline (1951–1955)
Ambedkar proposed the Hindu Code Bill to reform marriage, inheritance, and women's rights within Hindu law, but it was opposed by many. Disappointed, he resigned from the Cabinet in 1951. Despite declining health, he continued to write, speak, and organize. He worked on his final book, The Buddha and His Dhamma, and laid the foundation for a new spiritual path that would liberate the oppressed from caste bondage.
---
🟦 Episode 11: Embracing Buddhism (1956)
On 14 October 1956, Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with over 500,000 followers in Nagpur. He believed Buddhism was a religion of equality, compassion, and reason—unlike caste-bound Hinduism. This mass conversion was the start of a new socio-religious movement in India. For him, it wasn't just a personal transformation, but a revolutionary act for collective dignity.
---
🟦 Episode 12: The Final Goodbye and Living Legacy (1956 Onwards)
Dr. Ambedkar passed away on 6 December 1956 in Delhi, just weeks after his historic conversion. But his mission lived on. In 1990, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor. His teachings, vision, and ideals continue to inspire millions, especially those fighting for social justice and human rights. Statues, institutions, and movements across India carry forward the legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar – the champion of the oppressed and the father of modern India's Constitution.