Dr. Ambedkar and Punjab

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About the Book This book is the first of its kind which gives an over-all view of the romantic relationship of Dr. Ambedkar with the people of Punjab and the role played them in his life and movement.

After Maharashtra, the home state of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Saviour of the downtrodden, if there is any other State which can take pride of having the closest association with Dr. Ambedkar, it is the Punjab. In fact, in certain respects, the Punjab even surpasses Maharashtra. The story of Dr. Ambedkar and Punjab begins with the Ad Dharm movement which was making waves in the Punjab prior to his advent and was overtaken by Dr. Ambedkar. It is followed by description of his three visits to Punjab in 1932, 1936 and 1951; his three gifts to the people of Punjab; what his three Punjabi benefactors did for him; the jat-Pat-Todak Mandal (1936) episode and the resultant Gandhi-Ambedkar debate in regard to the annihilation of caste; revival of Buddhism in the Punjab; Contribution of Punjabi Buddhist scholars; and the Punjabi Ambedkarites and Buddhism in UK.

About the Author D.C. Ahir (born in Punjab, 1928) is a renowned Buddhist scholar who has made a very significant contribution to Indian History by unraveling the glorious past of Buddhism. He has more than twenty other published works on Buddhism to his credit. He has also published a number of articles in various Buddhist journals, and presented papers in National and International Buddhist Conferences/ Seminars.

He retired as Director to the Government of India, Ministry of Surface Transport, in February, 1986, and since then is fully engaged in enriching literature. His recent works include Buddhist Shrines in India (1989), Maharashtra, The Land of Buddhism (1988), Heritage of Buddhism (1989), The Pioneers of Buddhist Revival in India (1989), The legacy of Dr. Ambedkar (1990), Buddhism in Modern India (1991), Buddhism in South India (1992), Himalayan Buddhism(1993), Gautama Buddha(1994),Buddha Gaya Through the Ages (1994), Ashoka the Great(1995), A Panorama of Indian Buddhism(1995), Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Buddhist Revolution and Counter Revolution in Ancient India(1996).

Preface The life story of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar (1891-1956), who has been hailed by one and all as the Liberator of the Untouchables, and the Chief Architect of India's Constitution, is so fascinating, meaningful and full of action that it deserves to be studied even on regional basis. This study highlights his romantic relationship with the people of Punjab and the role played by them in his life and movement. As Babasaheb Ambedkar's first field of activity or Karma Bhoomi was Maharashtra, the people of Maharashtra, the Mahars in particular, shared his joys and sorrows most. Naturally, they take pride that such a great leader of humanity, Saviour of the downtrodden, a modern Bodhisattva, was born among them. After Maharashtra, if there is any other State which can take pride of having the closest association with Dr. Ambedkar, it is the Punjab. In fact, in certain respects, the Punjab even surpasses Maharashtra. The honor of serving Babasaheb selflessly.. without caring for his own career or comfort for more than five years goes to a Punjabi. Again, it was at the residence of a Punjabi Buddhist, settled in Burma, that Babasaheb took the fateful decision in 1954 to embrace Buddhism formally in the year 1956. Yet again, the last rites of Babasaheb were performed, according to Buddhist tradition, by a Punjabi Buddhist monk; thus fulfilling the vow taken by him 21 years earlier. In other words, the three best benefactors of Babasaheb were Punjabis.

The story of Dr. Ambedkar and Punjab begins with the Ad Dharm Movement which was making waves in the Punjab prior to his advent, and was overtaken by the all-pervasive movement launched by Dr. Ambedkar. The following three chapters describe the purpose and significance of his three visits to Punjab in 1932, 1936 and 1951; his three gifts to the people of Punjab; and what his three Punjabi benefactors did for Babasaheb.

The land of five rivers stands immortalized in the life of Dr. Ambedkar in another sense also. It was an invitation from the Jat Pat-Todak Mandal (of Lahore) in 1936 which prompted him to pen his considered views about the annihilation of caste.

**Contents and Sample Pages**