Who Is Ramabai Ambedkar? Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's First Wife, Pillar Of Support

Dr BR Ambedkar popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, father of the Indian Constitution, is credited for shaping the early foundations of Dalit and women’s rights in Independent India. Ambedkar was a visionary who used education to rise above all obstacles thus earning him the title of one of the greatest leaders of Modern India.

The alumnus of the London School of Economics and at Columbia University in the US, Ambedkar, advocated for equality and he fought for it hard. However, his pursuit would not have been successful had he not had a strong support system—Ramabai Ambedkar, his wife. Also called Ramai by Babasaheb’s followers, Ramabai was instrumental in helping him pursue his higher education and his true potential.

On his birthday today, let’s take a look at Who Is Ramabai, and how her support was instrumental in Ambedkar’s evolution into one of the greatest leaders of modern India.

Suggested Reading: Who Is Savita Ambedkar? More About The Second Wife Of Father Of Indian Constitution

Who Is Ramabai Ambedkar?

• Ramabai or Ramai, according to her biography, was born into a poor family to Bhiku Dhotre and Rukmini. She lived with three sisters, and a brother Shankar in the Vanand village near Dapoli.
• The biography stated that after the death of her parents, she and her siblings were raised by their uncles Valangkar and Govindpurkar in then Bombay’s Byculla area.
• Reportedly, Ramai was married to Ambedkar in Byculla’s vegetable market in 1906 in a simple ceremony. The couple had five children—Yashwant, Gangadhar, Ramesh, Rajratna and Indu. Except for Yashwant, others passed away in their childhood.
• Ramabai died on May 27, 1935, at Rajgruha in Hindu Colony in Dadar, Bombay after a prolonged chronic illness. She had been married to Ambedkar for 29 years.
• Ambedkar’s book Thoughts of Pakistan, which was published in 1941, was dedicated to Ramabai. And in the preface, Ambedkar credits her with his transformation from an ordinary Bhima to Dr Ambedkar.
• Ramabai’s life was featured in a number of biographical movies and books like Priya Ramu, by Yogiraj Bagul, and Ramai, by Yashwant Manohar. Actor Yagna Shetty played the role of Ramabai Ambedkar in the Kannada film Ramabai directed by M Ranganath.
• Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar - Mahamanvachi Gauravgatha (2019), a Marathi television series airing on Star Pravah featured actor Shivani Rangole as Ramabai Ambedkar while Mrunmayi Supal portrayed the young version of the character.