Five Essential Books By Dr B.R. Ambedkar You Must Read This Dalit History Month

Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) — also known as Babasaheb — was one of the most remarkable and transformative figures in modern Indian history. A jurist, economist, social reformer, and political visionary par excellence, Dr Ambedkar's work laid the foundation for India’s constitutional commitment to equality and justice. Born into the historically oppressed Dalit community, he overcame tremendous social barriers to become the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a tireless advocate for the annihilation of India's ancient oppressive caste system. His intellectual brilliance, moral courage, and relentless activism challenged centuries-old systems of oppression and inspired millions of Dalits to seek dignity and liberation.

But Dr Ambedkar’s contributions extended far beyond the legal domain. His writings addressed the structural roots of inequality in Indian society — spanning caste, class, religion, gender, and language. He offered radical critiques of Hinduism, envisioned a society based on the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, and ultimately embraced Buddhism as a spiritual and political path toward Dalit liberation. Today, his legacy endures in his foundational contributions to India’s constitutional framework and in the continuing struggles for social justice, dignity, and human rights. His life and works remain a source of guidance and empowerment for marginalised communities across the world.

In India, April is celebrated as Dalit History Month in Dr Ambedkar's honour. In recognition and celebration of his lasting contributions to the idea of a truly liberated India, here are five books by Dr Ambedkar that you should read:

'Annihilation of Caste' is among Dr Ambedkar’s most influential critiques of the oppressive caste system in India. Originally prepared as a speech to be delivered at a conference in Lahore in 1936, it was deemed too controversial by the organisers, resulting in the cancellation of the event. Dr Ambedkar eventually self-published the undelivered speech as a book which systematically deconstructed Hindu doctrines of caste and calls for the complete eradication of caste as an institution. The book's arguments continue to influence debates on social justice and equality in India and it has since become a radical manifesto for the abolition of the caste system and for Dalit liberation.

In this critical and analytical study of Indian history, Dr Ambedkar examined the origins of the caste system with a focus on the position of the Shudras. He offered a radical reinterpretation of ancient Indian society by questioning traditional narratives surrounding the four varnas. 'The Untouchables: Who Were They and Why They Became Untouchables', a companion volume to 'Who Were the Shudras?', was published the next year and explored the origin and historical background of the untouchable castes in India. Both books are noted for Dr Ambedkar's rigorous scholarship and remain key texts for understanding the historical development of social stratification in India.

'Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development' was Dr Ambedkar’s first scholarly paper — originally presented at a seminar at the Columbia University in New York in 1916 — and offered an early sociological analysis of the caste system. In Castes in India, Dr Ambedkar critically examined the concept of "surplus women" within the caste system, highlighting how certain social practices were designed to maintain caste endogamy and patriarchal control over women's bodies. Dr Ambedkar argued that customs like sati and child marriage were institutional mechanisms to manage the presence of these surplus women — those who, due to demographic imbalances or social constraints, could not find suitable partners within their caste. Though brief, Castes in India established Dr Ambedkar as a social thinker and laid the foundation for his later and more extensive works on caste and social justice in India.

'Federation Versus Freedom' was originally a seminal lecture delivered by Dr Ambedkar on January 29, 1939, at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in Pune. This address, recently re-published by Panther's Paw Publication, offers a critical examination of the federal structure proposed under the Government of India Act, 1935. In this lecture, Dr Ambedkar scrutinised the implications of the federal scheme, questioning whether it truly serves the cause of freedom or merely perpetuates existing power dynamics and traced the historical evolution of the federal concept in India. As we live through an era of democratic backsliding across the world, Dr. Ambedkar’s analysis remains not just a critique of the federal political framework but a profound inquiry into the essence of freedom and governance.

Dr Ambedkar's last major work, 'The Buddha and His Dhamma' reinterpreted the life and teachings of Buddha, placing them in the context of his vision for social and spiritual renewal. The book is not only a biography of the Buddha but also a call for embracing Buddhism as a rational and egalitarian alternative to the caste-bound traditions of Hinduism. The book continues to play a key role in inspiring many Dalits to convert to Buddhism as an act of protest against social discrimination.

The complete works of Dr B.R. Ambedkar are available online for free here.

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