Babasaheb Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956) is one of India’s most radical thinkers. He transformed the social and political landscape in the struggle against British colonialism. He was a prolific writer who oversaw the drafting of the Indian Constitution and served as India’s first Law Minister. In 1935, he publicly declared “I had the misfortune of being born with the ‘Untouchable Hindu’ stain... [but] I will not die as a person who calls himself a Hindu!” Ambedkar eventually embraced Buddhism, a few months before his death in 1956.
<p>In 1936, Dr B.R. Ambedkar imagined a future for India without caste. He not only condemned the caste system but called for the annihilation of the very idea. For this, he said, the Hindus must discard their Vedas and Shastras that do not teach them reason or morality. The Arya Samaj group that invited him to their annual conference found his views ‘unbearable’ and disinvited him. The undelivered speech, Annihilation of Caste, is a modern classic.</p><p>This elegant, affordable, accessible edition offers the best for less.</p><div><br></div>
