Sayajirao Gaekwad III GCSI, GCIE ( 1863-1939)

Sayajirao Gaekwad III GCSI, GCIE ( 1863-1939) By: Er.H.R.Phonsa There lived Meharwan Shrimant Kashirao Bhikajirao ( Dada Sahib) Gaekwad (1832–1877) and his poise wife Shrimant Akhand Soubhagyavati Ummabai Sahib , of the village of Kavlana in Malegaon taluka of Nashik district . They were engaged in farming.The couple had three sons Anandrao (1857–1917), Gopalrao (1863–1939) and Sampatrao (1865–1934). Meharwan Shrimant Kashirao Bhikajirao was from a branch of the Gaekwad dynasty a cadet branch descended ( Younger son of monarch not declared heir) from a morganatic marriage (a marriage between High caste man to low caste woman) of the first Raja of Baroda, and so was not expected to succeed to the throne. Their second son Gopalrao Gaekward born on 11March 1863 became Maharaja of Baroda and renamed Sir Siyajirao Gaekward III . Lieutenant Colono Fatesinghrao Gaekward , first son of Siyajirao added that their family descendents belonged to a small village Kavlana in Nasik district and settled down there as farmers. They even bought a share of hereditary rights of the headman ship of the village and went on to be known as Kavlana Gaekwads. Their dynasty name Gaekward is said to be derived from 'Gae-Kaiwari ' ( a small gate from which cows were taken out or simply one who protects cows). However the Gaekward Dynasty rule on Baroda began in 1721,when the Maratha general Pilaji Rao Gaekwad conquered the city from the Mughal Empire . But only after 1770, during the rule of Sayajirao Gaekwad I , Baroda became the seat of power and the residence of the Gaekwad rulers. The Gaekwads were granted the city as a fief by Peshwa Bajirao I. It lasted till 1947 when India got freedom. Ref Baroda- Know your roots/Times of India/Published by-times of lndia/lst edition/2012/page no.23 38) Being son of a farmer Gopalrao Gaekward used to graze cows in his childhood. He turned out be luckiest that on attaining 18 years age he was selected to be Maharaja of Baroda State. It was on 27 May 1875 . The lucky boy was renamed as Sayajirao Gaekwad III . He peacefully ascended the gadi (throne) at Baroda on, 16 June 1875. Despite being sixth richest man in the world, he committed his whole life for the welfare of people and became one of the most loved kings ever world over. Though he was one among the three wealthiest rulers of India nobody else could match his people friendly welfare measures. Other two rich were Nizam of Hydrabad and Maharaja of Mysore. Sayajirao who ruled over Baroda State for 63 years was ever ready to help any needy person of his state. He proved to very visionary, Vikas Purash (Developer) and non compromiser on his royal prestige. He did not compromise with dictates of the British on his honors. To commemorate the coronation of George V and his wife Mary as King and queen of Britain on their proclamation as Emperor and Empress of India in December 1911 Delhi Darbar ( Last of three Darbars,1877,1903,1911 ) was held in 1911 . As per protocol all Indian Kings and princes, who were asked to attend the Darbar were to wear royal dress fitted with valuable jewelry. Each King while presenting himself before the Emperor and Empress was to bow thrice and come back without showing back to the Royal couple. Although Sayajirao had a splendid collection of jewels and jewellery but when his turn came, he was not wearing the prescribed royal dress, bowed only once , turned his back towards Royal couple and came back to his sear . British officers, London press including Motilal Nehru criticized this action of Maharaja. But Mahaja of Baroda did not relent, as he did deliberately as a protest against discrimination, shown toward Indian rulers by the British. Despite this Sayaji Maharaj was awarded Delhi Durbar Gold Medal-1911 and GCIE-1919 by the British for his other super qualities of head and heart. He also attended Delhi Durbarheld on 1st January, 1877. He was granted the title of Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia on 29 December 1876. However Maharaj’s granddaughter Gayatri Devi said in her autobiography that Maharaja had missed attending rehearsal ,so the mistake occurred. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekward III was one among three Indian rulers in 1911, entitled to get highest ranking 21 gun Salutes honour when he visited India capital. Srimant Sir Khanderao Geakward II(1828-1970), third son of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekward II, acceded the Gadi of Baroda State from his elder brother, Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekward , on 19th November 1858. But he died sudden death in 1870 in harness. He died as male heirless . However his 17 years old widow Maharani Jamnadevi gave birth to a female child posthumously so king’s younger brother Malharrao (1831–1882) became the 11th King of Baroda. He was the sixth and youngest son of Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad II. Malhar Rao spent money liberally, nearly emptying the Baroda coffers. He even reported to have attempted to poison the British Resident of Baroda. On his the Secretary of State of India, Lord Salisbury ordered Malhar Rao’s disposition on 10 April,1975,exiled him to Madras, where he died in 1882. Then there was no male heir from Dynastic regular family to be on the Gadi of Baroda. So Late Maharaj Khanderao II 's widow, Maharani Jamnabai (1853–1898) called on the heads of the extended branches of the dynasty to come to Baroda and present themselves and their sons to decide upon a successor. Kashirao Bhikajirao and his three sons, Anandrao (1857–1917), Gopalrao (1863–1939) and Sampatrao (1865–1934) walked to Baroda from Kavlana -a distance of some 600 kilometers- to present themselves to Maharani Jamnabai. . It is reported that when on his turn Gopalrao was asked the purported reason for presenting themselves at Baroda, Gopalrao unhesitatingly replied “ I have come here to Rule”. Gopalrao was selected by the British Government as successor and was accordingly adopted by Maharani Jamnabai, on 27 May 1875. As luck would have it Kashirao Gakward’s family shifted from simple village wada (is a traditional mansion house ) to Laxmi Niwas Baroda. He was also given a new name, Sayajirao Gaekward later Sir Siyajirao Gaekward III. After about a month he formally ascended the gadi (throne) at Baroda on , 16 June 1875. But being a minor so Baroda was reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age ( 18 years) and on 28 December 1881,was vested with full ruling powers. Maharani Jamnabai opened a special school for royal children. Here Siyajirao Gaekward learnt Gujarati, Marathi, Urdu and English from special teachers arranged for the purpose. Besides this during theses six years of his minority on thrown, he was extensively tutored in administrative skills by Raja Sir T. Madhava Rao KCSI ( 1828-91),who groomed his young responsibility into being a person with foresight filled with a compassionate mind to provide welfare to his people. On the request of British Government sir Madhava Rao had take over as Diwan-Regent of Baroda State , after dispossession of Mahalrao Gaekward as Maharaja of Baroda. In this period Madhava Rao restored the state to its normal conditions following the chaos in which it had been left by Malharrao. Credit for what the Maharaja achieved during his life in every sphere of human activity must also be given to F. A. H. Elliot ICS who also groomed Siyajirao Gaekward. After crowing as king of Baroda state, Maharani Jamnabai thought to marry him . Sayajirao Gaekwad was married on 6 January,1879, with Laxmibai (1864–1884) , daughter of Haibatrao Narayanrao Mohite from Tanjore in South India. As per the tradition Maharani Jamnabai gave new name to the bride as Chimnabai. In next five years the royal couple was blessed with two daughters ( Bajubai & Putlibai) and a son named Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad (1883 –1908) . Queen Victoria sent greeting on birth of their son. Maharani Chimnabai died in 1885 of tuberculosis and in her memory grateful Sayajirao Gaekwad built a building which is now known as Nyaymandir. After that Sayajirao Gaekwad III married for the second time. Sir Siyajirao Gaekward did not believe in polygamy as was the practice then with majority Indian Kings. Sir Siyajirao married second time on 28 December 1885 with Shrimant Lakshmibai Mohite (1871–1958). This Maratha lady who was renamed as Chimnabai II upon her wedding. She proved to be very intelligent and a great help to her husband during their 54 years as husband-wife. The royal couple was blessed with 4 children. Three of them were sons (Jaisinghrao,Shivajirao, Dhairyasihghrao) and one daughter Indira Devi. Indri Devi was married to Maharaja Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Bihar in 1911, who reigned over Cooch Bihar from 1913-22. Later Maharani Indira Devi was Maharani Regent of Cooch Behar (Indiraraje). Sir Siyajirao Gaekward III throughout his rule, he paid special attention to the welfare of his subjects. He had seen village life and poor living conditions of poverty ridden rural masses. He observed that in his state Brahmin population (1891) stood only 9% where as unclean classified Depressed classes had 21% of the total population. But majority of government jobs manager, from highest to lowest ranks were Brahmins males. Education avenues for 21% population stood banned by Brahmin religious laws. So he must have thought that only education could help reduce wide spread anomalies in administration and help reduce common man’s caste enforced miseries. Therefore he paid special attention to spread educate for both sexes and all of his subjects. Maharaja Baroda knew personally the pains of missing childhood formal school education. So Maharaja used all means to spread education to his State subjects. Sir Siyajirao Geakward III was a fan of social activist Mahatama Jyotirao Phuley (1827-90), who was great champion of education, more so girl education. Mahatma Phuley with cooperation of his wife Mata Savitribai Phuley had opened a series of Schools both for boys and girls in Poona ( Now Pune) starting from 1st January 1848. Maharaja Baroda used to help financially Mahatma Phuley so that he could continue his endeavor of social transformation. Following Mahatama Phuley mantra Maharaja opened free Vernacular Education Department in 1875 and in 1881 he opened eight schools for girls besides a teacher’s training and self employment institution for lady teacher’s in 1914.. He was first Indian ruler to introduced free and compulsory primary education from 1893 and by 1906 this scheme covered whole state. The state was divided into six divisions; each division was put under an education inspector, assisted by Dy. Inspector. The Dy. inspector had to supervise on an average fifty schools and 6000 students in the year 1939. This was rare of rarest feat for any Indian Princely ruled state. In 1879 he founded a degree college which progress to be Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU ). Maharaja engaged Bengali gem Syed Mujtaba Ali ( 1904-74) to teach in MSU University. This is counted one among the best Universities of India in present days. During his annual visit to London Maharaja Sahib met 20-year-old Sri Aurobindo ( 1872-1950) whom he immediately offered a job at Baroda College. Sri Aurobindo returned to India in 1893 to join the Baroda service. Sir Siyajirao Gaekward III started in 1916, the Ecclesiastical Department in Baroda and conduct ‘Sanskrit Pathsalas’ to spread moral and religious education. To develop scientific mind his people and take them out of religious superstitions, Maharaja Sahib established a Science Institute in 1926( MSU) for the purpose. This helped opened up avenues for a prosperous science based professional career for his subjects. The Maharaja not only opened hundreds of schools for Dalits but encouraged them to take admission in schools by being liberal to sanction financial assistance to deserving students. To give boast to education Maharaja Ji opened a library in 1906 and later independent department of Public libraries was established 1911. He ordered opening library after studying its establishing procedures on modern lines while visiting Washington Library USA in 1906. His library became the nucleus of today's Central Library of Baroda with a network of libraries in all the towns and villages. His choice to spread of education to all, transformed a Mahar boy from Bhiva to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, later Father of Indian Constitution. Maharaja Sahib was Chancellor of BHU delivered annual convocation address in January, 1924 . He received Hon. LLD from Benares Hindu University in 1924. He visited Calcutta on the invitation of viceroy in1883. Dadabhai Naoroji ( 1825-1917), was appointed as the Dewan (Minister) to the Maharaja Baroda in 1874 . Thereafter Naoroji went on to become the first Asian Member of the British House of Commons . Maharaja Sahib also appointed V. T. Krishnamachari ( 1881-1964)as the Diwan of Vadodara 1927, who served on this post till 1944. He was India’s master planner who laid the foundation of panchayti raj system. Maharaj Sahib was one of the first to introduce 2,104 gram panchayat bodies and 41 nagar palika bodies. He also passed a stringent law punishing parents or guardians who married off their children earlier than stipulated ages. When Bhimrao Ambedkar passed his Matriculation in 1907 making history of sorts by a Mahar boy to achieve all time records for Mahars of India . His father Ramji Sakhpal had strong will to educate his son further but shortage of resources was obstructing his way. Krishnaji Arjun Keluskar a School teacher and S.K. Bole a socialist leader attended Mahar Community function arranged to felicitate Bhimrao on his passing Matriculation. Keluskar also gave Bhim his Marathi Book , “ Life Of Gautma Budhha”. When Sakhpal family was facing financial difficulties in carrying on education of Bhim, Keluskar also got this information . He being a reputed Marathi writer had good rapport with Maharaja Baroda. He took Ambedkar to Maharaja and explained their purpose of coming. Maharaja sanctioned a monthly scholarship of rupees twenty five in the favour of Ambedkar. This solved Bhimrao’s financial difficulties till he passed his B.A examination. After passing B.A. Bhimrao applied and got employment as lieutenant in Baroda Armed forces. However he had to come back after only 15 days only, as he received a telegram about illness of his father. His father Subedar Major Ramji Sakhpal sadly passed away on 2 Feb, 1913. Bhim was now alone to carry on his family choir . Besides this Bhim was still nursing in him burning desire for Higher Education. Bhimrao came to know through Kaluskar that Maharaja Baroda had advertised to send 4 students to USA for higher Education. Keluskar also advised Ambedkar to apply against one such scholarship, promising he will also use his influence to help Bhimrao. Bhimrao Ambedkar was already on look out of such opportunity. Ambedkar met the Maharaja and expressed his wish for higher studies abroad. Maharaja advised Ambedkar to put up his application to the Baroda State the purpose. Ambedkar put up an application and his request was accepted. He was called in palace for personal interview with Maharaja. Bhim complied as required .He was selected for grant of Scholarship for studying in Columbia University, New York city , USA. Bhimrao Ambedkar was asked to sign an agreement on June 4, 1913 to serve the Baroda State for 10 years after completion of his foreign studies. Bhim signed the agreement. Ambedkar prepared for going abroad. It was due to fore sighted magnanimity of Maharaja for spread of education without caste distinctions. Bhimrao got chance to study on foreign land in a free and fair atmosphere. This university awarded Dr. Ambedkar M.A, PhD, LLD ( Hon) Degrees . This University has declared Dr. B. R. Ambedkar as universal, life time first student, a great honour. To understand the progressive working systems in foreign developed countries Sir Siyajirao toured many foreign countries and saw working systems of progressive societies. His visit to Egypt in 1897, Czechia in 1904, Washington, USA in 1906, Germany 1936, U.K yearly. He adopted large scale approach to modernize his state which was entrenched with social challenges, evils, and discriminations. He his such visits, he used to meet Indians . To help trade and industry Sir Siyajirao opened Bank of Baroda in Vadodra on 20 July 1908. This also eased the farming loans process, so saving farmers from cruel clutches of private blood sucking money lenders. To improve the Post and communication system Maharaja opened General Post office building Vadodra in 1934. Maharaja Sahib also took serious note of caste prejudices prevailing in his State. He knew these practice were generating caste hatred among his subjects. To count on the other side of such trends projected by high castes, Maharaja Sahib in 1925 organized a banquet at his residence Laxmi Vilas Palace, in Baroda, where men of all castes ate together. He legalized widow remarriage, abolished the child marriage and fought for temple entry to Dalits. In 1925 he opened the gates of a temple at Amreli to the Dalits. Great strides were made in areas of inter-caste marriages and widow remarriages as well through legislation to make befitting Acts, and rules. He also separated the powers of the judiciary and the executive. Maharaja invited Shivram Janba Kamle (1875-1940), a Mahar, famous social reformer of his time to Baroda on 11 September,1908 as State Guest. Shivram Janba Kamle was honored by Maharaja Baroda for his un-matching social strides. Over a century ago to affect such revolutionary social laws was no less than a miracle. Only humanity dyed, unbiased Royal mind could take such steps The royal couple recognized equality of women folk. To demonstrate it publically, Maharani Chimnabai II abandoned Purdhah system while sitting in public Darbar with Maharaja from 1914. She got published a book in 1911 titled “ Position Of women in Indian Life” . Sir Siyajirao Gaekward III rule saw stride in public developmental works. A 64 gated drinking water storage “Siyaji Sarovar Ajwa” was got constructed between 1885-92 and piped water supply was made possible for Baroda. Maharaja Sahib established sanitary department in 1891. Construction of Kirti Mandir near cemetery of past Baroda rulers, in their memory was completed in 1936. In 1908 Maharaja founded the Baroda Legislative Assembly (also known as the Baroda Dhara Sabha). On 19 January 1861 first train reached Goya Gate (Now Railways Heritage Park Vadodra ) with fan fare so Baroda state became first Indian Monarch ruled state to have railway line. In 1862 Baroda state owned 20 miles Bullock driven rail track which was replaced on 8 April, 1873 by steam locomotive. While reaching 1940 the State owned 723 miles (Excluding sidings) railway tracks. For this credit goes to vision and constant attention of both Maharaja Khanderao and Sir Siyajirao Gaekward. This added in big way, to revenue and comforts in the lives of Baroda state subjects. The Laxmi Vilas Palace, an example of Indo-Saracenic architecture spreading over 500-600 acres was built as royal residence in 1890 with a cost of rupees twenty seven Lacs . It has four times the size of Buckingham Palace, residence of British Royal family. For taking care of health to his people, the Maharaja Sahib established Sir Siyajirao Gaekward General Hospital in 1886. For the maintenance of civic sense in urban areas Local self government and, Vadodra Improvement trust was also established. Maharaja Sahib also played key role for development of Textile Industries by giving many incentives. In 1902 Maharaja Sahib started Industrial Expedition in Ahmadanagar to promote industrial products. Maharaja promoted animal good breeds and health so started holding animal fight festivals. For regular quality floor supply to Vadodra a Floor Mill was started in 1906. Maharaja Siyajirao Gaekward was great promoter of sports. On 23 December 1902, a show was arranged where Great Gama Pehalwan lifted 1200kg stone kept in Nazarburg palace Vadodra. Gama was born in Amritsar in 1878 and remained unbeaten wrestler world over. To appreciate this great feat Great Gama Pehalwan was treated as a State Guest. Maharaja Sahib visited Germany to see Berlin Hockey Olympics 1936. He was reported to have met Hitler. During meeting Maharaja asked for arranging secret help for Indian freedom struggle. In 1895 the Maharaja is claimed to have witnessed the successful flight of an unmanned aircraft constructed by S. B. Talpade , which happened eight years before the Wright brothers( December-1903) took to the skies. S. B. Talpade was an Indian technical instructor in the art and craft department of Sir JJ School of Art. Maharaja Sir Siyajirao Gaekward was one among the 16 delegates ( First- RTC) , 23 ( II RTC) from princely Indian States rulers .These conferences were held between Nov 1930 to Dec1931. Dewan Of Baroda State attended the III RTC held( November - December 1932) . Three RTC’s were held between representatives of British Crown , Indian rulers, political party at London to deliberate and decide the future representative character of different communities in future constitution , when India shall be freed. Due to uncompromising adamant behavior of Congress leaders including M.K. Gandhi, no positive results could be achieved. The speech delivered in the first RTC by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was adjudged as best of all speeches delivered in all 3RTC’s by all delegates. Dr. Ambedkar put forth his forceful views to representatives assembled in RTC, saying the congress party leaders talked of removal of untouchability as their own internal problem, saying untouchables were their religious brethren ,with no need to have separate electorate rights. Dr. Ambedkar pleaded for not leaving Depressed Classes people on the mercy of Hindu chauvinism. So to make them free from Hindu domination he was demanding equal constitutional rights for his people. He told the delegates that the Hindus shall deny untouchables any share in power in legislature , politics, and administration in their country of origin. He also warned the British to leave India soon, as during their rule of over one and a half century, they have failed to make any change in the existing conditions of untouchable. Foreign media remained flooded with praises for the speaker of the day for many days. Sir Siyajirao Gaekward III, an admirer of knowledge and wisdom, was very much impressed, so pleased, to hear Dr. B.R. Ambedkar speaking, and delivering unbound and un-matching knowledge skills . On reaching back to his place of residence Sir Siyajirao told his queen that the speaker of the day Dr. Ambedkar who won praises of the day , was the one, to whom he helped financially to get higher education in foreign lands. He said that with day’s excellent speech, Dr. Ambedkar have repaid the full money advanced to him , for education, with interests. To express his joy, the Maharaja invited Dr. Ambedkar to a Royal Dinner at the Hyde Park Hotel in London with King’s selected guests. It was a rare of rarest occasion for a Dalit leader to break bread with a Prince and Knight. The New York Times carried a news under the heading “PRINCE AND OUTCASTE AT DINNER IN LONDON END AGE OLD BARRIER”. This dispatch was sent by correspondent Charles A. Seldon as recorded in “ Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Messiah Of Downtrodden By , Janak Singh” . The Maharaja also provided patronage to arts and music. During his reign, Baroda became a hub for artists and scholars. The celebrated painter, Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906), was among those who spent substantial periods of time at his court. Exhibitions of his art were organized. Sayajirao also provided backing to Indian classical music. Ustad Moula Bux ( 1833-96) founded the Academy of Indian Music (Gayan Shala) under sponsorship of Maharaja in 1886. This Academy later became the Music College and is now the Faculty of Performing Arts, of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Vadodara. Apart from Ustad Moula Bux, Sayajirao's court boasted great artistes like Inayat Khan (1882-1927) and Ustad Faiyyaz Khan(1880-1950). In 1916, the first All India Music Conference was held in Baroda. Some master dancers were also encouraged for displaying their art in the palace. Fully aware of the fact that he was a Maratha ruler of Gujarat, he identified himself with the people, history and its glory. Both Chhatarpati Sahu Ji Maharaj (1874-1922) of Kohlapur State and Sir Siyajirao Gaekward III helped by all means Krishana Arjun Keluskar( 1860--unknown),a prominent Marathi writer of his times ,to writing 600 paged Marathi book “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Charitra. Sir Siyajirao honored the author with “Ragal Of Baroda State” award. After serving his State as a just ruler, for 63 years, Sayajirao Gaekwad III died on 6 February 1939, one month short of 76 age . His grandson and heir, Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, became the next Maharaja of Baroda. Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad ruled till India attained freedom on 15August 1947. From 2012 Titular Maharaja of Baroda State is Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh . He is son of Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad and Shubhanginiraje. He is descendent of Sampatrao Gaekward (1865–1934) younger brother of Sir Sayajirao . Presently surnames Gaekward : Gaekwad (also spelled as Gaikwar and Gaikwad) is a surname native to Indian state of Maharashtra. The surname is found among the Marathas, Kolis and Scheduled castes and Brahmin people also. It is also a common surname among Bharadis, Dhor, and Mahar communities of Maharashtra. Words 4200 Er. H .R. Phonsa Dated 28-09-2020. Material Source:- 1. Dr.Ambedkar, The Messiah of Down Trodden By Janak Singh. 2. Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar By D.Keer 3. Dalit Movement in India and its LeadersBy R.R.Kashirsagar. 4. Ref Baroda- Know your roots/Published by-times of lndia/lst edition/2012/page no.23 38) 5. Free Wikipedia.

Dr. Ambedka’s Letter to Mata Ramabai

With thanks to those who translated from Marathi and shared. Dr. Ambedka’s Letter to Mata Ramabai December 30, 1930 On December 30, 1930, while in London, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar wrote this letter to his wife Ramabai. Originally it is written in Marathi by Babasaheb and is translated to Hindi by the Forward Press team. Translation from Hindi to English is done by Pardeep Attri. As the letter is translated from Marathi to Hindi and then to English, there could be some discrepancies, so let us know if you find any. Original letter in Marathi is available at the Forward Press website. Rama! How are you, Rama? Today, I missed you and Yashwant very much. Your memories saddened my heart. My speeches from the last few days were very much discussed. The conference had very good and effective speeches. This is what newspapers here have written about my speeches. Earlier, I was thinking about my role in the Round Table Conference and in front of my eyes, a picture of all the victims of my country emerged. From thousands of years, these people have been buried under suffering. There is no cure for this suppression. This is what they understand. I am shocked. Rama, but I am fighting. My intellectual strength has become very strong. Perhaps a lot of things are springing up in the mind. The heart has become very emotional. The mind became very much perplexed and I started missing you and everyone at the house very much. I missed you. I remembered Yashwant. You came to see me off at the ship. I was saying not to come. Still, you did not accept that. You came to drop me. I was going to the Round Table Conference. There was cheering for me everywhere and you were watching it all. Your heart was filled with emotions and you were moved with gratitude. You were speechless. But, your eyes were speaking everything, which words could not say. Your silence had become more vocal than words. The voice coming out of your throat was hitting your lips. Instead of the language of words coming out of the lips, only the language of tears from your eyes came running to rescue you. And now in London this morning all these things are crossing in my mind. The heart is becoming emotional. I am getting nervous. How are you, Rama? How is our Yashwant? Does he miss me? How is his problem of arthritis? Take care of him, Rama! Our four children have passed away. Now, only Yashwant is left. He is the basis of your motherhood. We have to take care of him. Rama, take care of Yashwant. Teach Yashwant a lot. Keep on waking him to study at night. My father used to wake me up at night to study. Till then he would stay awake. He has only taught me discipline. Only when I would get up and sit to study then he would sleep. In the beginning, I used to get very lazy when I had to get up at night to study. At that time, sleeping more seemed better than studies. Going forward, studying started becoming more important for life than sleeping. The credit mostly goes to my Baba (father). So that the flame of my education keeps on burning, my Baba kept on burning like an oil. He did everything he could. Converted the darkened into the light. The labour of my father is bringing fruit now. I feel very happy today, Rama. Rama, Yashwant should also get engaged in studies the same way. He has to inculcate a fervent desire for books. Rama, luxurious things are of no use. You can be around yourself. People are always chasing such things. Their lives start from that and stop there. The lives of these people do not change. Rama, we can not live such a life. We have nothing except sorrow. We have no partner except poverty, impoverishment. Difficulties and problems do not leave us. Humiliation, cheating, disregarding are things that follow us like a shadow. Only darkness is there. There is a sea of sorrow. We will have to bring sunrise ourselves, Rama. We have to make our path. We have to become a garland of lamps on that path as well. We also have to travel the path to victory on that road. We do not have any world. We have to make our world. We are like this Rama. That is why I say that educate Yashwant a lot. Stay concerned about his clothes. Explain and make him understand things. Try to create ardour in Yashwant’s mind. I miss you a lot. I miss Yashwant. I do not understand. It is not like that Rama, I understand that you are burning in this fire. You have started to become like [a tree, whose] leaves are falling apart and life is drying up. But Rama, what should I do? On one side there was this impoverishment after us and on the other hand my stubbornness and the promise that I made to myself. The vow of knowledge! I am extracting the sea of knowledge. I do not care about anything else. But this strength that I have got, in that, there is your contribution too. You are sitting here holding my world. You are boosting my morale by sprinkling pious tears. That is why I can imbibe the infinite ocean of knowledge with any fear. To tell the truth, Rama, I am not cruel. But, by spreading the wings of stubbornness I am flying in the sky. Even if someone calls, even that is torturous. My mind gets scratched and my anger flares up. I also have a heart, Rama. I yearn. But, I am tied to the revolution! So, I have to put my feelings on the pyre. The heat of that reaches you and Yashwant also sometimes. This is true. But, this time Rama, I am writing with my left hand and wiping my tears with my right hand. Take care of skinny (Yashwant), Rama. Do not beat him. I had beaten him. Never remind him of that. He is the only piece of your soul (heart). I have to find out the origin of religious slavery, economic and social hegemony and mental slavery of man. These things have become immutable in human lives. These should be completely burnt and buried. These things need to be eradicated from the memories and the rituals of society. Rama, you are reading this letter and you have tears in your eyes. The throat is full. Your heart is shaking. Lips are trembling. The words that popped in the mind cannot even come to the lips. You have become distraught. Rama, what if you had not come in my life? Had I not met you as a life-companion, then? What would have happened then? A woman who considers world happiness as a goal would have left me. Who would love to stay half-stomach, go in search of cow-dung or find cow dung and work to make upla (cow-dung cakes)? Who would like to bring fuel to the stove in Mumbai? To keep sewing torn clothes at home. Not only this but spending a month also with just one matchbox. With this much oil and grains, salt should be used for a month. I say. What if you had not found these orders of poverty sweet? So, I would have been shattered to pieces. My firmness would have cracked. Wave/high tide of my aspirations would have receded/disappeared in the thin air without you being you. The game of my dreams would have been completely ruined. Rama, all the music of my life would have become unpleasant. Everything would have been twisted. Everything would be sorrow. I would probably have remained a dwarf plant. Take care of yourself, as you take care of me. I will be leaving soon to come back. Do not worry. Convey best wishes to everyone. Yours, Bhimrao London 30 December 1930 Material Source : Google-- velivada

SRINIVASAN RETTANMALIA DEWAN BAHADUR

 SRINIVASAN RETTANMALIA DEWAN BAHADUR

          ( Remembering him on his 75^th Death Anniversary falling on  September18^th, 2020 )

                                                                                                                               By:- Er.H.R.Phonsa

Dewan Bahadur Srinivasan Rettanmalia a Dalit activist, politician, journalist and freedom fighter was from the Madras State. He was a close confidant of Baba Sahib Dr. Ambedkar. Both were invited to Round Table Conferences held at London in 1930-32 as the representatives of the Depressed Classes. Both were successful in their efforts to convince the British participants and other members of the conferences to remove social, economical and political barriers for progress of the untouchables. R.Srinivasan attended Ist and Second Rount Table Conference only.

               They did their assigned duty despite stiff opposition from caste Hindu leaders including, Mahatma Gandhi. Till then, Mahatma Gandhi the uncrowned king of Indian masses and his Congress Party claimed to be the sole leader of Indian masses including untouchables. Both Dr. Ambedkar and R. Srinivasan were forceful speakers and believed that removal of untouchability depends upon vesting of political power to depressed class masses. They pleaded that there was no alternative to it. They explicitly made clear that they wanted nothing less than separate electorate on the basis of adult suffrage as the first temporary measure immediately. Their joint point of view was accepted and resulted in establishment of Simon Commission. Later, due to adamancy and fast unto death by Mahatma Gandhi against Separate electorate to untouchables, Dr. Ambedkar and Dewan Bahadur R. Srinivasan agreed under duress for signing Poona Pact. Besides others both these Dalit leaders were signatory to Poona Pact 1932 which had provisions for granting reservation in services and in political seats for Dalits.

                  Mr. Srinivasan, an Adi-Dravida (Paraiyar) was born on 7 July 1859 at village Kozhalam in Madhauranthagam Taluka, Chengalpet district in Tamil Nadu of Madras Presidency. He was born to Mr. Rettanmalai, a poor farmer. Young Srinivasan besides school studies showed keen interest in painting. He was sent to Government Arts College, Coimbatore for further education. He qualified to become lawyer and also continued art and painting. He got employment on Hill Station of Nilgiri District where he met Colonel Olcott and Madam Blatvastky, who further guided the young Srinivasan. . He returned to Madras in 1880 and got married to Ms. Ranganyakkimma in 1887.

                Since Mr. Srinivasan was from a poor farming family, he had seen the miserable condition of poverty ridden people particularly untouchables including Paraiyars. So he decided to do some good things for Dalits. He vowed to fight against injustice meted out to them in social, religious, economic, education and political fields. He was brother-in-law to a great Dalit Leader of his times IyotheeThass or Pandit C. Ayodhaya Das (1845-1914).

                In order to organize his people Mr. Srinivasan established and led "Paraiyar Mahajan Sabha"1890. To bring all Dravidians under ambit of his sabha, he converted it to Adi-Dravida Mahajan Sabha in the year 1891, a broad based organization. This Sabha requested the government to change the Hindu name of Untouchables "Pariahs" to "Adi-Dravida"pleading that they were the original rulers of the land. The Provisional Legislative Council passed a resolution to recommend to the government the demands of the Sabha and name of Pariah was changed to Adi-Dravida in 1922. Adi-Dravida Mahajan Sabha submitted a resolution to the Simon Commission Chairman, Sir John Simon in 1927 to grant separate electorate for the depressed classes. Their chief spokes person then was Rao Bahadur M.C. Rajah (1883-1947).

Mr. Srinivasan convened in 1893, a conference of untouchables in Wesley School Royapetta, Madras, the first such conference then in whole of India. Mr. Srinivasan was convinced that political power was must for the Dalits. This could only ameliorate their miseries rooted in untouchability. The untouchability roots needed to be cut to free the untouchables from these centuries old stigma inflicted upon them by Hindu scriptures. The first conference of the untouchables was organized on 23 December 1893 and declared an "open war" on untouchability, caste system and superstitious religious myths. Continuing his efforts in this direction, he also started Tamil Newspaper named "The Partisan" in 1893, which started selling as monthly magazine for four annals (1/4^th of a rupee) for four pages. His next conference of untouchables was held on 7^th October 1895 in Madras at Victoria Hall. He was a participant in the freedom movement too and an arrest warrant was also issued on his name for joining the movement. In 1893 a case was filed against The Paraiyan news magazine and Mr. Srinivasan was dragged in the court. He was fined Rs 100 for his writings.

In 1904, Mr. Srinivasan went to South Africa and joined government service as a translator for the courts. During his stay in South Africa, he observed that a worse type of discrimination was observed against Blacks or original inhabitants of the continent. Apartheid "A social policy or racial, political social, economical, cultural, spiritual segregation against Blacks by the British Whites in South Africa " was in practice there. Here it was color or race as basis of discrimination. However, when Mr. Srinivasan observed this type of discrimination, he compared it with the religious discrimination observed with the untouchables of India by the Upper Caste or twice born people; he found it to be even worse. Mr. Srinivasan had seen the worse type of miseries being faced by the untouchables in India. Here he met with Mahatma Gandhi, who was an advocate for the Indian merchants in South Africa. It is said Mahatma Gandhi learnt Tamil language from R.Srinivasan. He taught Mahatma Gandhi putting his signature in Tamil as 'Mo. Ka. Gandhi' (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in Tamil). Mr. Srinivasan came back to India in 1920 to launch political fight to achieve, political, educational, social, employment rights for the Dalits with legal teeth.

Dewan Bahadur Mr. Srinivasan along with Dr. Ambedkar was nominated as representative of the Depressed Classes of India to the Round Table Conferences held during 1930-32 in London. They were instrumental in getting reservation, increase of seats in the legislature, bringing recognition to Dalit problems. Their arguments and capabilities of negotiations were incorporated in the Poona Pact1932. Both were signatories to Poona Pact along with others. This Pact was signed under duress by Dr. Ambedkar and Srinivasan due to fast unto death by the Mahatma Gandhi to save his life. Mr. Srinivasan continued his crusade against the ill treatment meted out to the Indian Dalits then called Depressed Classes. His work brought dividends when he was nominated to the Madras Legislative Council as a representative of the Depressed Classes from 1923 to 1935. This provided him with opportunities

to work with greater vigor, for securing several amenities and educational facilities for the Depressed Classes. When the Hindus organized a meeting in Mumbai on 30 September 1932, (a week after signing of the Poona Pact) to form an All-India Anti-Untouchability League, Mahatma Gandhi changed it to 'Servants of Untouchables Society'. It was on this occasion that the Hindus joined together to fight against untouchability. There were eight members on the board; Dr. Ambedkar, Rao Bahadur M.C.Rajah and R. Srinivasan were included as representatives of the untouchables. All three subsequently withdrew from the board, Gandhi then renamed it as Harijan SevakSangh. While explaining reasons to join this forum, Dr.Ambedkar said "After the Poona Pact, "I preceded in a spirit of forget and forgive. I accepted the Confides of Mr. Gandhi as I was asked to do by many of my friends". It was in that spirit that I accepted a place on the Central Board of the Sangh and was looking forward to play my part in its activities'. He wanted to discuss the programme of the Sangh with Gandhi but could not do so as he had to leave for London to participate in the Third Round Table Conference. However, Dr. Ambedkar did write a detailed letter to A.V. Thakkar, Secretary of the Society, giving concrete proposals regarding the services to be rendered by the Society. The Depressed classes representative wanted the forum to concentrate on a programme 'which will effect a change in the social environment of the Depressed Classes'. The programme drafted by Dr.Ambedkar had four components: (i) A campaign to secure civil rights; (ii) Equality of opportunity; (iii) Social intercourse and (iv An Agency to be employed to oversee all these points. The Society was to employ a large army of workers to carry out this programme. Persons belonging to the Depressed Classes were also to be appointed, who alone 'will regard the work as love's labour'. But the Anti-Untouchability League did not pay any attention to these proposals; they did not even acknowledge Dr. Ambedkar's letter. The Congress used the 'Harijan Sekva Sangh' to kill the movement of empowering untouchables, after the withdrawal of these three representatives

of the Depressed classes from the League. Sensing the crookedness of the minds of Hindus the Poona Pact was asked to be scraped by Dr Ambedkar on 5^th November 1946 and demanded enactment of the separate electorates for the Dalits as per the communal Award.

Dewan Bahadur Mr. R. Srinivasan had differences on the conversion of untouchables to some other religion as pronounced by his leader Baba Sahib Ambedkar in 1935. However with the support of Dr Ambedkar, Dewan Bahadur R. Srinivasan established the Madras Province Scheduled Castes Federation in 1939. He passed away on 18^th September, 1945.

The Government of India department of Posts in 2000  has issued commemorative stamp in memory of Dewan Bahadur R. Srinivasan. Cadres of the Viduthalai Siruthaigal Party claims to have discovered the mortal remains of Dewan Bahadur R. Srinivasan and constructed a memorial over the mortal remains naming it as Urimai-Kalam.

In early 2006, a Mani mandapam (memorial) for the late leader Dewan Bahadur R. Srinivasan was conceived within the premises of Gandhi Mandapam in Chennai. The complex is oldest memorial " Gandhi Mandapam" it was opened by Rajaji on January 27, 1956.Dewan Bahadur R. Srinivasan shall be long remembered for his services to the Dalit Samaj. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa had directed that his birth anniversary on 7 July be observed as a government function and ministers to honour him by garlanding his statue located inside Gandhi Mandapam, Chennai. Chief Minister Jayalailthaa has given a direction to this effect, according to an official release stated, "The birth anniversary of Dalit leader Rettamalai Srinivasan (1859-1945) will be observed every year on 7 July by the State government". Dewan Bahadur R. Srinivasan brought recognition to the problems of the Dalits in a big way also providing their solution in the Constitution of Free India.

   Words 1760                                                              Er.H.R.Phonsa

 

 Material Source :

 1.Dalit Movement In India and Its Leaders(1857-1956). By.  K.R. Kshirsagar

  2. Dr.Ambedkar and His Associates By: Er. H.R. Phonsa

  3 Dr.Ambedkar Jiwan Ate Mission ( Punjabi) By. L.R.Bali

  4. Dr.Ambedkar, life and Mission By: Dhananajay Keer

  5. Dr.Ambedkar Messiah Of Down Trodden By:  Janak Singh

    6. Last Few years of Dr.Ambedkar By: N.C.Rattu

 

 

Subedar Major Ramji Maloji Sakpal

                       Subedar Major Ramji Maloji   Sakpal

                        (14 November 1838 to 2 Feb,1913)                                           By: Er. Hem RAJ  PHONSA

         Revered Ramji Sakpal was father of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Ramji Maloji  Sakpal had strong vision to educate his children. He was dedicated  ,hard working but strict disciplinarian. His vision with matching hard commitment of sacrifices  for bright future  of his children as well his Samaj. His inbuilt desire was that after growing his sons shall help their Samaj , to bring them out of the Brahman enforced caste hate miseries. He guided all his sons well out of whom his youngest son Bhimrao alias Bhiva strove hard to get highest   possible education.  Son, father duo was convinced that education was solution to all their family and community miseries. Ramji Sakpal himself fearless , trained his children to face all problems with courage and strong will. Ramji Sakpal   groomed   his children well to have   qualities of strong body, clear  heart and mind so made them strong, fearless besides argumentatively strong to face caste infested society outside.  Ambedkar was bright out of all his children so became his father’s dream child. He was obedient, bright in studies and fearless so could rise to great worldly and spiritual heights. Bhimrao hair were cut  at home by his elder sister as no barber would agreed to give him hair cut for fear of other caste Hindus boycotting ,so effecting his earning. Same Bhiva  by his  hard work became world famous as Dr. Ambedkar and attained great heights earning  the distinctions of being the father Of Indian Constitution. Ramji ‘s well grooming of of  Dr. Ambedkar about whom it was said to be one of the six top world  intellectuals of his times and knew ten languages. Dr. Ambedkar  also earned the distinction to be  single Asian whose portrait is displayed in Gray’s Inn from where he had earned Bar-at Law degree  on June 28,1922.

 It is said Mahars were original habitants of Maharashtra and its name is  based on (Mahar+ Rashtra). Some say it as Maha+ Ari , meaning great enemy. The later  term seems to be devised by Aryans. Maharashtra state earned pre-eminence as economic hub.It also   known for raising and supporting revolt against caste dominance of Brahmins. Many men and women of distinction were born in Maharashtra. Social ,  education and political  revolutionaries like Mahatama  Jyotirao Phuley, Savitribai Phuley, Jaibai, Maharishi Vithal  Rammji Shinde, Gadge Baba, Chhaterpati Shahu  Ji Maharaj,  Siyaji  Gaikward-III of Baroda, Gopal Baba Walangkar ,  M.G. Ranade ,V. R. Shinde,  S.K. Bole, Ram ji Sakpal, Dr. Ambedkar and many more who  were  born in and were groomed in Maharshtra . The social awakening among Dalits was aroused so much by their leaders that as many as 29 (35%) Dalit Organizations out of 83 in all India (1857-1957) grew   in Maharshtra (Gujrat included).  Other states remained far behind Maharashtra in social awakening including education. Ramji Sakpal had great liking for the philosophy of   Mahatama Phuley , so became his  follower.

 Maharastra being on the sea coast line, many foreign nationals including Aryans, while in search of fertile place for living, business reached Maharashtra.  It is said when Aryans invaded Maharashtra  they killed  and enslaved natives, who had numerical  majority but  ill equipped.  Many run for life safety into Jungles. When these natives could not meet their survival needs in jungle, they returned towards habitations. They were caught by Aryans, severally beaten and assigned menial dirty jobs by Aryans. The aboriginal, once rulers were made to live away from Aryan habitation mostly on Southwest sides, so the untouchables and untouchability was born.  This ill treatment at the hands of Aryans reduced these natives to paupers, diseased and hungry   beggars. They were kept miles away from education so could never think of decent living means and were denied even their due wages.

  Although the Bombay Government has issued instruction in 1858 to all government schools to open all education facilities to students  irrespective of their castes or creeds. The government also had warned to withhold government support   to such school who deny admission to students because of low caste. Still due to biased thinking  of the  upper caste Hindus towards low caste people, they ignored such Government orders The Hindus  labeled   these Government  orders  as interference with Hindu’s religious norms. So such government orders were ignored and schools continued discrimination with untouchable students for long when such  government instructions  had good effects  at root level. With this a little easing of conditions for education for untouchable students was seen at low level.

 In mid nineteenth century some initiates were taken by good hearted saintly persons   like Mahatama Phuley to open  18 schools on his own starting from January 1, 1848 . He impressed upon masses the importance of education. Other like Christian Missionaries from 1784 started educating Anglo- Indian students, Arya Samaj ( Vedic education)  also joined in  to impart education to all including women. Women in India were most neglected lot.  Maharajas Of Baroda and Kohlapur  also had open help to Dalit students in their education, including education in foreign Universities.

  Despite the worst restrictions enforced by Caste Hindus,  for  education of untouchable,  preaching and supporting  practice of untouchability, a Mahar boy could earn world’s highest academic degrees because his father had  served in East India Army, who  had specifically ordered for unrestricted  admission in schools of wards of army, ex army personals.  Bhimrao’s father had inculcated in him importance of education which in turn aroused in him urge for highest possible academic learning’s.

          Ramji  Malogi Sakpal was born on 14^th November 1838 in village Ambavade, five miles off Mandanged, a small town in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, British India. Ratnagiri  is  in  Konkan a region  of Maharashtra which provided Indian with great  intellectual ,academic brains and also  great fighters. His father Malogi Sakpal was retired army Havaldar from   the British army of East India company . Malogi Sakpal had six children out of whom three survived namely Meerabai, Bhimabai, Ramji Sakpal. Ramji Sakpal played football and Hockey well in his youth. He was confirmed teetotaler  and never touched meat.  Ramji Sakpal also joined British army of East India Company following his ancestral footsteps. He rose to the rank of Subedar Major. Honest, Hard working, dedication, urge to get higher education, boldness in his conduct and to work for elevation of his fellow untouchables were parts of  his character. Later he retired as Army School Head Master in 1893 at a monthly pension of rupees fifty.

 He was married in 1865 to   Bhimbai, daughter of Subedar Major Dharma or Dharmaji Murbadkar of Murbadkar  village then  in  Thane district Of Maharashtra. Dharma’s six brothers were also  Subedar Major in the British  army. Both Dharma and Ramji Sakpal were serving in the same Battalion. Dharma was impressed with the personality, respectful conduct, bright future and refined   behavior of Ramji .  Their marriage was ceremonised although bride’s parents had better financial position than the groom’s family. Bhimabai had fair complexions with curly hair round glowing eyes and broad forehead. She was intelligent, respectful, soft spoken and gentle in behavior. The couple had 14 children out of whom the 7 died in fancy. Bhim used to say that he was chaudhava Ratan of his parents. Those who survived were Balaram,  Ramabai, Anandrao,  Majula, Tulsi and Bhimrao Ambedkar. As all untouchable including Mahars were treated with bias by high caste people to which Ramji Sakpal was alive. So he thought best way to ward of ill effects of untouchability on his children by giving them good education and to teach them Bhagati Moment principles of “ Jatt  Patt Pushey Naa Koyi, Harr Ko Bhajey so Harr Ka Hoyi”

 His family was follower of  Bhagti Movement saints. Abhangas and Bhajan of Kabir Ji  , Moropant Pant, Tuka Ram, Namdev were regularly sung in the family . Ramji read Epics also to his children. So Bhim got a clear idea in childhood itself, what Hindu religion was in real sense.  All their children joined the daily  Bhajans  sessions, morning time must and evening session optional , as children had to finish school home work before going to sleep.

 Before British landed in India the Aryans including Peshwas( Brahmins)  treated Untouchable including Mahars, in the most inhuman ways. When British came, they needed armed guards to their personal safety besides their establishments. Later British also needed soldiers for their army for territorial expansion. The British recruited Mahars in Maharashtra in a big way, as the Mahars soldiers have proven their bravery skills and helped British in fights out  Peshwas in their early settlement .Similarly Dushads of Bihar and Pariah in Madras were also in British army in large number. Before the 1857 rebellion, Mahar regiments reportedly made up one-sixth of the Bombay units of the British East India Company. But thereafter they were pensioned off and gradually removed from military service under terms of Ashley Eden Commission 1879.  East India Company (1612-1857) ruled India between (1757-1858) and  came under direct control of British crown from 1858.

  Ramji Sakpal had obtained Diploma in teaching from the army school in Poona.  During service Ramji Sakpal was also posted at Military cantonment Mhow (now Dr. Ambedkar Nagar)  in the Central Provinces (presently in M. P) as Head master in the army school Mhow. It is here his last sibling Bhimrao was born on 14^th ( Baisakha  Purnima ) April,1891.This was the same auspicious  day when in BC 523 Lord Buddha was born as Sidhartha and in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh founded Khalsa Panth. This day has now been declared to be observed as Student’s day in Maharastra.

 Bhimrao’s other names were Bhiva, Bhima Bhimrao Ambawade. Latter this surname Ambawade was changed to Ambedkar in school records. Some writers say it was Bhimrao’s Brahmin School teacher with Ambedkar surname gave Bhimrao this name. But Rajratna Ambedkar (of 4^th generation Of Dr. Ambedkar family )  refuted it saying he got searched school old records, no teacher with name Ambedkar was found. So to ease spelling of Ambawade name it was changed to Ambedkar by Ramji Sakpal himself. However it is said, a Brahmin teacher despite all caste hurdles put by his caste people, took special care of Bhimrao and helped him in all possible ways. This good hearted school teacher helped Bhimrao with reading material and at times shared his lunch with Bhimrao.

 Ramji Sakpal had served also in 2^nd Grenadier, retired from Military Batallion School 1893 as Headmaster. His monthly pension was rupees fifty only. After retirement he along with his family moved to Depoli in Ratanagiri District, to settle there permanently.  Bhimrao was admitted in Primary school Dapoli at 5 years age. Ramji Sakpal moved to Bombay for short time. But the caste hate with low castes   was so deep rooted in the Hindu , so Bhimrao had to face utmost difficulties at school as child. Shortly after their move to Depoli , Bhimrao’s mother (Bhimrao Bai) died in1896 when Bhimrao was about 6 years in age. Bhamabai’s Samadhi is at Depoli.  On death of Bhiamabai Ramji Sakpal’s family got badly shattered.  She was a great help to her husband and took great care of his children despite her falling health. Ramji Sakpal always kept in his mind the prophecy of his hermit uncle that a child will soon be born to them whose fame will spread far and wide. As per this prophecy the child shall be a historic personality. At times when Bhimrao made his mother angry, irritated by pranks and she was about to slap him,  Ramji admonished her  saying “ Look Bhim’s palm lines are great, his ears and stomach like Lord Ganesha , both signs of his being a great man in future”.

 With his Mother’s death Bhimrao felt the severest shock being youngest of all her siblings. He was her darling baby from whom she had great expectations in life. Whenever she scolded Bhimrao for his flanges after a while she shall embrace, kiss and lovingly pressed him in her arms, so showered lot of love on him. This he was missing .The children were cared for by their paternal dwarf aunt Mira, she had trouble with her legs, so needed help for walking.  Dr. Ambedkar described her as the kindest soul and did her best to look after children. However, Ramji was to fulfill ambition of Bhimrao for higher education.

 Ramji Sakpal got a job in Military school Satara so he moved with family to Satara.  Ramji Sakpal stood committed for good education and better life comforts for his children.

 Sakpal being a trained school teacher of army, he had great command particularly  on Marathi and English subjects. This helped Bhimrao also to have strong grasp on these subjects. Bhimrao also learnt the art of exchange of Marathi to English words and visa verse from his father. This way Bhimrao had an edge on his class mates in the class. Both Ramji and Bhimrao had complete understanding on all matters throughout their lives and respected views of each other. But Bhimrao greatly disliked him remarrying after Bhimabai’s demise. Ramji Sakpal remarried Jijabai. Bhimrao hated his step mother for wearing his mother’s ornaments and saris’.  On annoyance with his father Bhim wanted to get separated and so worked for some time as HAMAL( Sweeper, Rly.cooly, porter ) at Satara railway station. He even tried to run away from home, so tried to steal money , from the sari knot of his aunt Mira, with whom he used to sleep during night. For continuous efforts of  four nights he succeeded in his efforts but found only half an anna or 1/32 of a rupee .This showed him what poverty is and he thereafter left his villainous activities and concentrated on his studies. In Satra no  barbar could cut  Bhimrao or others hair. Their elder sister did this job. At times their home looked like a barber’s   shop. Here at school nobody would give Bhimrao water to drink, he had to sit outside the class room on a mat brought daily from his home. He was not allowed access to class blackboard, for fear of pollution of the lunch boxes of high caste students, as these were kept behind the board.

 Observing  low caste based  ill treatment to his children at school, market Ramji  shifted  his family  to Bombay. He shifter his family to Bombay (now Mumbai) in  1904.  Ramji Sakpal got on rent accommodation in Dabak Chawl at lower Parel, a labour area. The surroundings were as bad as in underworld.  The house lord lady had warned them to close lights early. So Bhim used to go to a nearby garden and read there under street light pole. He met here a golden hearted  Krishana Ji Arjun  Keluskar, a teacher in Wilson High School. Keluskar used to enquire from Bhimrao asking  him, why he was reading long time in park. When Bhimrao explained his difficulties and his desire to get higher education, Keluskar could judge the supper qualities in  Bhimrao and  wished him bright future . Keluskar ji, also a Marathi writer, promised Bhimrao all helps in his studies, and he carried his promises sincerely.

 The Bombay government had started excavation of a tank at Koregaom in Katava Taluka  ( Tehsil) of  Satara District ,  to give employment to  famine ( 1891-97) starving masses, who were dying in thousands. Ramji Sakpal who always wanted to supplement  his income, got employment as cashier at  Koregaon and he moved to Koregaon leaving the family in the care of his sister Mira and some kind neighbors. The family included Bhimrao , his elder brother, two sons of his  sister who was dead. The children were asked by Ramji Sakpal to come to him in summer vacation, where he could help them in their studies besides to enjoy their vocations.  But their journey taught them worst experience and treatment at the hands of a High caste   horse cart man. Bhimrao had written in details the  horrifying treatment of journey  in a write up  “ Waiting for a Visa” ( Vol.12, page 661,W&S Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar). 

      During their stay at Bombay in a one room tenement, Bhimrao was admitted in Maratha  High School and later to the Elphinstone High School established in 1822. The Elphinstone High School ( Now college) Bhimrao was only Mahar student. Since accommodation for family was very small so Ramji  would ask his son to go to bed early and he himself would work till 2 ‘o’ clock in the morning and go to bed after awakening his son for study. He also helped Bhimrao in studies at home. Under his father’s guidance Bhimrao gained experience in translation work.  With time Bhimrao‘s desire to posses books was unquenchable, but his father supported  by his noble father. Ramji though under financial distress, tried to meet books demand  including general knowledge new books. At times Ramji borrowed money from his two married daughters. Some time his daughters gave him, their ornaments, he pawned their ornaments and money so got spent on purchasing books for Bhimrao. On getting his pension he got redeemed the ornaments and returned to his daughters. This way whole family supported Bhimrao’s need.

  Besides having great concern for education of his children, Ramji Sakpal was for  welfare of his community. The Mahar soldiers had helped the British in their initial days to settle and fought many battles on their behalf. But in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857(First war of Independence for India) the British came to know that the Dalit people had sided with local rulers. The Dalit soldiers had sacrificed their lives for freedom from foreign rule. The British also knew that the caste hate among low and high castes in Hindus was unending process. So to rule over India they need to earn good will of upper castes, who were powerful, educated and had  domination over low caste population.  Based on these notions, the British started weeding out Dalits from their armed forces So  Untouchables lost their  major  source of livelihood including  other low castes. The majority of untouchables were classified as non martial races (Ashley Eden Commission 1879) under terms of the Criminal Tribes Act 1871 .  This proved beyond doubts that in the First War of of Independence Dalit soliders played major roll so made them common enemy of the British and upper caste Hindus. This made the life conditions of Dalit Tribes   miserable as they were asked to remain present in their local areas and to prove it   by periodically   reporting  into respective police stations.  Irony of the fate was that no upper caste Hindu organization raised even a finger against these ruthless laws against those who Hindus often declared as their religious brothern. Only a few Hindus in their individual capacity raised some voices. Some relaxations were announced for Indians in the Indian Councils Act 1892,but with thses only Upper Castes were  got benefits.  This Act introduced various amendments in  the composition and function of legislative councils in British India. Most notably, the act entailed provisions on the number of additional members to be represented in the central and provincial councils. This all went to enrich the Caste Hindu mixing with the British Crown affairs concerning the British India affairs. A British member of the Imperial Civil Service (later the Indian Civil Service) Mr. Hume found founded  INC in 1885 with India political and financially rich. These  later refused to give any political rights  to  untouchables under M. K. Gandhi. During RTCs, minority Community  deliberation, Simon Commission deliberations, Communal award 1932 Mr. Gandhi is said to have told the British that he did not want Indian Independence where depressed classes people get political rights.  However he did not object of giving such rights to Muslims, Sikhs, Christians etc. Here the childhood fearlessness injected  in his son Bhimrao by Ramji Sakpal ,  proved its worth .  Dr. Ambedkar declared  during RTC deliberations that he will not compromise on the vital interests of his people for the sake of winning freedom for India. To Dr. Ambedkar winning equal constitutional rights to his people was no way less important than winning freedom for India from the British yoke. His speech in RTCs was a all time record of scholarly wisdom and fearless of   mind ,clear motto of    freeing  his people from slavery chains of upper caste Hindus. To take such a stand against uncrowned king of Hindu forces with Indian Nation Congress unquestionable boss, Mahatama Gandhi was nothing less than, inviting insurmountable troubles for Dr. Ambedkar, but he face it with  courage and conviction.

 Ramji Sakpal got  prepared a petition through Justice Mahadev  Gobinda Ranade (1842-1901) to request the government to rescind its orders of 1892 where by recruitment of Mahars in armed forces  was stopped. Ramji Sakpal even met the British Governor of Bombay and presented this petition requesting him to help Mahars by getting withdrawn their stoppage of entry into armed forces.

 When Bhimrao passed his Matriculation in 1907, and earned the distinction of being first Mahar, to pass such examination.  This occasion was celebrated by his community and a function was arranged which was attended by good hearted teacher Krishana Ji Keluskar and S.K.Bole, both Brahmins and well wishers of Bhim and Mahar’s.  Krishana Ji Keluskar , a famous  Marathi writer gave his book” Life Of Gautam Buddha” to Bhimrao . Bhimrao read this book and this brought turning point in his life.  This book laid the foundation of Bhinrao’s embracing Buddhism on 14^th Oct. 1956 along with lacs of his followers.                                                                                                     Bhimrao ’s  teacher Krishana Ji Keluskar, who had great liking for Bhimrao’s studies got an interview  for him with Maharaja of Baroda Sri Siyajirao Gaekward III. Maharaja had promised, in a Bombay town hall meeting , to help any untouchable student who had difficulties to carry on his studies. Maharaja also was impressed by interview replies of Bhimrao and so sanctioned a monthly scholarship of Rupees twenty five in his favour. This solved financial difficulties of Bhimrao .  Bhimrao  passed his B.A. Examination in 1912. This way Bhimrao became first graduate of Bombay Presidency from untouchables . Later Maharaja of Baroda sanctioned scholarship for Bhimrao.s studied in  American university Columbia.

  In 1913 Bhimrao  applied for, and  was appointed Lieutenant in the Baroda State Forces in thus following his family elder’s service esteem. However Bhimrao’s stay at Baroda was short, about fifteen days, when he received a telegram about the failing health of his father.

Bhimrao immediately started for Bombay by train. At Surat station he got down to purchase some sweets for his father but lost his train as its stoppage was much less than Bhimrao expected. Next day when he reached Bombay he found his father’s state of health very serious. He was sinking but searching eyes of dying Ramji Sakpal moved to his darling son, on whom he had built all his hopes.  He moved his shaking hands over the back of his son and breathed his last. Bhimrao cried at the top of his voice and whole family started wailing with grief. It was the saddest day of the family, it was 2^nd February 1913. It was severest shock of Bhimrao’s life as his mentor was no more.   Ambedkar was confused how to live without his loving father whose heart always reverberated for the progress,  well being,name and fame of his darling son.

 Subedar Ramji Sakpal will go down in the history of Indian Depressed classes masses for whom he and his groomed son Dr. B.R. Ambedkar  fought and achieved  equal constitutional rights as for others with out distinction of caste,creet,place of birth. Neta Ji Subash Chander Bose  asked Indians to give him blood and he will get them freedom. But Baba Saheb Dr.B.R.Ambedkar with right education from his father Ramji Sakpal got freedom to Indian Dalits without shedding even a drop of blood.  May  long live the memories of  these who stood for the welfare of depressed, neglected, suppressed, half naked including women folk. Ramji Sakpal and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar stood to care to whom even Universal Creator did not care.

 Words 4021

Dated 26^th August,2020

Material Source:-

1.       Dr.Ambedkar,The Messiah Of Don Troccen   By,Janak Singh

2.       Dr.Ambedkar                                                 BY Dhananjay Keer

3.       “ Waiting for a Visa”  By.Dr.B.R.Ambedkar   ( Vol.12, page 661,W&S Dr. Baba Saheb .

4.        Dr.Ambedkar and His Associates                 By:- Er.H.R.Phonsa

5.       Mission Ambedkar Facebook Page 12.11.2015

6.          Google------Wikipedia.