Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar


Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar was the first wife of B. R. Ambedkar, who said her support was instrumental in helping him pursue his higher education and his true potential. She has been the subject of a number of biographical movies and books. A number of landmarks across India have been named after her.

Early life

Ramabai was born in a poor family to Bhiku Dhatre and Rukmini. She lived with her three sisters and a brother, Shankar, in the Mahapura locality within the village of Vanand near. Her father earned his livelihood by carrying baskets of fish from Dabhol harbour to the market. Her mother died when she was young and, after her father also died, her uncles Valangkar and Govindpurkar took the children to Bombay to live with them in Byculla market.

Marriage

Ramabai married Dr. Br Ambedkar in 1906 in a very simple ceremony in the vegetable market of Byculla, Mumbai. At the time, Babasaheb Ambedkar was aged 15 and Ramabai was nine. His affectionate name for her was "Rāmu", while she called him "Saheb". They had five children – Yashwant, Gangadhar, Ramesh, Indu and Rajratna. Apart from Yashwant, the other four died in their childhood.

Death

Ramabai died on 27 May 1935 at Rajgruha in Hindu Colony, Dadar, Bombay, after a prolonged illness. She had been married to Ambedkar for 29 years.

Credit by her husband

B. R. Ambedkar's book Thoughts on Pakistan, published in 1941, was dedicated to Ramabai. In the preface, Ambedkar credits her with his transformation from an ordinary Bhiva or Bhima to Dr Ambedkar.

Influence and in popular legacy

Ramabai's life has been featured in the following:

Movies, television series and drama