Think you know Ambedkar? These 10 unique facts about his life, law career, and fight for justice might surprise you. Read on to rediscover the man behind the Constitution.

10 Special Things About Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, fondly remembered as Babasaheb, wasn’t just the architect of the Indian Constitution—he was so much more. A thinker, fighter, scholar, and true people’s leader, his life is full of incredible stories and achievements. Here are 10 things that make him truly special:

1. From Humble Beginnings to Harvard and London

Born in Mhow (now Dr Ambedkar Nagar), he faced untouchability from childhood. Still, he powered through and ended up studying at Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He even got into Gray’s Inn to study law in 1916 and was called to the Bar in 1922. That’s some serious academic hustle.

2. Master of Law, Voice of the Voiceless

After coming back to India, Ambedkar didn’t go straight into politics—he started as a lawyer. He registered as an advocate in the Bombay High Court in 1923. He took up tough cases that others avoided, often defending the poor and marginalized. One of his notable cases was the Phillip Spratt sedition case.

3. He Fought Discrimination in Courtrooms Too

Ambedkar argued several impactful cases, including the Chavadar Tank case, which sparked the famous Mahad Satyagraha—a turning point in the Dalit rights movement. He also defended Prof. R.D. Karve in a sensitive case on reproductive rights. His courtroom wasn’t just about justice; it was about challenging the system.

4. Said No to Power, Yes to Principles

He was once offered a judgeship in the Bombay High Court—huge deal, right? But he turned it down. Why? Because he wanted to stay in the fight for equality, not sit on a high bench. That’s integrity.

5. Father of the Constitution

As chairman of the drafting committee, he didn’t just write laws—he built the framework for modern India. His speeches in the Constituent Assembly still hit hard today, especially when he spoke about Article 32 (the right to constitutional remedies) and how political democracy means nothing without social democracy.

6. He Called Out the Danger of Losing Democracy

In one of his most powerful speeches, Ambedkar warned: “We must not be content with mere political democracy. We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well.” He saw the cracks before they even formed.

7. He Believed in the Power of Education

Education was his weapon of choice. He once said, “Cultivate the mind, the rest will follow.” He believed that real change begins when people think for themselves.

8. Books Were His Best Friends

Ambedkar was a crazy passionate reader—he built one of the largest personal libraries in the world. From economics to religion, law to philosophy, he studied deeply and wrote widely. His bibliography is no joke—authored books, speeches, edited works—you name it.

9. Annual Jayanti in His Birthplace is a Big Deal

Every April 14, lakhs gather in Mhow to celebrate his birth. It’s not just a festival; it’s a powerful symbol of what he stood for. But despite all that, the infrastructure there is still lacking—shows how much more we’ve got to do to truly honour him.

10. He Was—and Still Is—the Conscience of India

From his fight against caste discrimination to his push for justice, democracy, and equality, Ambedkar’s legacy isn’t just in the past. It lives on, especially during Dalit History Month, when the world remembers not just what he did, but why it still matters.

Dr. Ambedkar wasn’t just a man of his times—he’s a compass for ours. And honestly, the more you learn about him, the more inspiring he gets.