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 14th 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 14th ( 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 4th
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 2nd
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 14th 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
2nd 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
26th 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.
