Dr. Ambedkar and his Scholarly writings
On 14th April 2020, India is going to celebrate the 129th
birth anniversary of a such man who was a Scholar, Theoretician, Political
leader, Economist, world-class lawyer and intellectual writer whose life has
been represented a stirring triumph over the barriers of cast. He is nothing
but Dr. Bhimrao Ramaji Ambedkar popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar. At
the time of admiring Dr. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi said that he has highest
regard for Dr. Ambedkar and he has every right to bitter. A letter written by
Mahatma to his English friend, he said that nothing unnatural in Dr. Ambedkar’s
hostility to the congress and its supporters. Mahatma further said that
he has not only witnessed the inhuman wrong done to social pariahs of Hinduism;
but in spite of all his culture, all honours that he received still to suffer many
insults to which untouchables are exposed. From this one can easily make
out the even Mahatma has a respect for Dr. Ambedkar even though Dr. Ambedkar
was his political rival in freedom movement.
From Yogesh Gogwekar
Dr. Ambedkar never romanticized the conceptions of India’s past or its
glorious traditions. Dr. Ambedkar had read lot. He had knowledge of 9 languages
like Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Pali, French, German, Persian, Sanskrit and
English. All his writings are the product of deep study and contemplation and
even more useful in Today’s world. Therefore, at the time of praying my sincere
homage & tributes to Dr. Ambedkar who was an iconic leader and one of the
makers of modern India, I have decided to give the brief introduction of the
books written by him which will be useful to understand his thoughts. He
had written near about 20 books and also essay writing in Marathi and English
Newspapers and periodicals.
Following are the eleven books which has been considered by me
1.
Small Holdings in India and their
Remedies: In
this book, Dr. Ambedkar importance of agriculture from economic point of view.
He said we have to reform our agricultural policies by consolidating the small
and scatter holdings, Importance of public finance , evolution of
provincial finance in British India, abolition of Khoti system. This book helps
us to understand his views as Economist.
2.
The Problem of the Rupee : In this book, Dr. Ambedkar has
raised the issue of currency in British India. He discussed about the treaties
on Indian currency which were existed under British India did not have any
adequate idea and not as per economic reforms policies of 1893. In this book, he forced
the British rulers to have Central bank for India i.e. Reserve bank of India to
ananlyse the value of Indian rupee with British Pound to understand the British
Policy to earn maximum profit by pushing India into deep economic crises. This
is an excellent book to read as this book raising questions and providing
solutions to the problems. Every student of economy and finance must read this book.
3.
Castes in India : In this book , Dr. Ambedkar presented social
phenomenon which emerged from strategy of Upper class who adopted a strictly
endogamous matrimonial regime and leading the other groups to the same to
emulate this self-proclaimed elite. He has mentioned four aspects of the
problems of cast in India i.e. first, despite being an admixture of different
elements; the Hindus have a strong cultural unity. Second, castes are a part of
this gargantuan cultural identity. Third, originally, there was only one caste
and last one different caste came into being through ostracism or copying.
4.
Annihilation of Caste: This is one of the best book written by Dr.
Ambedkar. It was radical work of that time. This book revolves around negative
impact of cast system. It shows the necessity of liberation of huge number of
oppressed people from centuries old structure. Through this book, he has raised
the question to Hindu people whether they are ready to accept untouchables in
public school or allow them to take water from public well or public street or
allow them to eat food which they like. This book helps to understand us how
political freedom is necessary along with social and economic freedom to every human being. Good
book to read.
5.
Ranade, Gandhi and Jinnah : In this book, Dr. Ambedkar has shown us the
greatness of Justice Ranade by explaining the exact meaning of greatness . It
is a comparative study of three personalities. Even the book named three
personalities, there is very less said about Gandhi and Jinnah and more about
Justice Ranade. He said that Justice Ranade was a great man and he was
motivated by dynamic of social purposes. For details, refer my blog for this
book.
6.
Thoughts on Pakistan : This is based on partition of India. It is written
in pragmatic style. Those who want to study the partition of India; it is
wonderful book to them. Through this book, Ambedkar has provided the
detailed information about Muslim and Hindu minds and also about
psychology educated Muslim leaders like Mohamed Ali Jinnah , Mohamed
Iqbal and Syed Ahemed Khan. He also explained not only Indian National
Congress and Muslim League but also Hindu Mahasabha failed to understand Indian
culture and its political history from communal point of view. This book
contained detailed information about the political, social and economic history
of India. This book is not the judgment of Partitioned but fine approach of
giving a clarity of situation at the time of partition.
7.
What Congress and Gandhi have
done to the Untouchables : This
book is nothing but analysis of work done by Mahatma Gandhi and Indian National
Congress for Untouchables. According to him, Congress and Mahatma Gandhi did not use proper methods to bring them
up. He further said that Congress used the issue of emancipation of Schedule Cast for political
interest and for publicity and very less efforts to remove the same.
8.
Who were the Shudras? : This is extraordinary book written by Dr.
Ambedkar. It is the full detailed of history of Shudras. Dr. Ambedkar discussed
this subject through sociology, anthropology, mythology, theology, economics,
and historiography point of view and provides an answer to the question which
constitutes the title of the book. He stated that Shudras were once Survanshi
Aryan Kshtriyas and given some evidence for the same.
9.
Status and Minorities. This is written in March 1946. In this
book, Dr. Ambedkar presents the details of socialist society. According
to him, socialism can be achieved through Constitutional provisions. He said
Parliamentary Democracy is the best system of governance and state socialism
and same should be introduced in India. Good book for lovers of Democracy.
10.
Thoughts on Linguistic States: This is important book written in 1955
which described the linguistic division of the entry. He agreed the universal
principle of one state and one language and mentioned that there must be common
National language which can bind the nation together to exchange the idea of
all states.
11. The Buddha and his Dhamma : this book is published after the
death of Dr. Ambedkar. It is a detailed study of Buddhism and should be
read by Buddhist and even by Non Buddhist. It is a realistic, scholarly and
challenging book on Buddhism. Before understanding the Buddhism, Dr. Ambedkar
has studied all religions and finally concluded that only Buddhism comes very
close to science. He has provided detailed information about the teaching of
Buddha and Buddhism. It is an advance book and also original in perspective of
Buddhism. He clearly mentioned that Buddha has never once uttered a word God
and never believed in soul, rebirth or reincarnation. According to him, Buddha
has taught us to resolve the problems of life of every human being without any
pains and suffering through mind brain interaction with each other.
Besides the books, Dr. Ambedkar has
written many articles in English and
Marathi Newspapers and Magazines which all have social and literary value . This requires separate writings.
I will close this writing by
mentioning Dr. Ambekar’s words about Democracy.
“An ideal society should be mobile,
should be full of channels for conveying a change taking place in one part to
other parts. In an ideal society there should be many interests consciously
communicated and shared. There should be varied and free points of contact with
other modes of association. In other words there should be social endosmosis.
This is fraternity, which is only another name for democracy. Democracy is not
merely a form of Government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of
conjoint communicated experience. It is essentially an attitude of respect and
reverence towards fellowmen”.
Salute to great son of India.
Mumbai
12\04\2020
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