London School of Economics: Achievements of Dr. Ambedkar in London School of Economics, professor says – there is no other world here for him to win

Dr. BR Ambedkar first visited the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1916. He returned in 1921 and submitted his doctoral thesis in 1923. LSE Archivist Sue Donnelly delves into aspects of Dr BR Ambedkar’s life at the LSE. She writes in her study that in 1920 economist Edwin R. Seligman wrote to Professor Herbert Foxwell from Columbia University, who taught at the LSE… In this he referred to a former student, Bhimrao Ramji (BR) Ambedkar. ) Ambedkar) and asked Foxwell to help him with his research.

By dalitawaz

In November 1920 Foxwell wrote to Mrs Mair, the school secretary:

I think he has already got his doctorate degree and has come here only to complete a research. I had forgotten this. I’m sorry we can’t identify her with the school, but there’s no other world here for her to win.

Despite this, BR Ambedkar registered for a master’s degree and completed his PhD thesis in his second attempt to study at the LSE (London School of Economics). Ambedkar was born in a family belonging to a so-called “untouchable” caste. Ambedkar became a social reformer and architect of the Indian Constitution.

After studying at Bombay’s Elphinstone High School, he was the first Dalit to join the Elphinstone College and the University of Bombay, taking a degree in economics and political science. He was awarded the Baroda State Scholarship in 1913 and did his post-graduation in 1913 and Columbia University to complete a thesis, National Dividend of India-A Historic and Analytical Study, in 1916. moved to New York. Ambedkar’s desire to conduct research in the history of Indian finance and currency led him to study in London, where extensive research sources were available.

In 1916 he registered at the LSE for a master’s degree and took courses in social evolution and social theory with Professor LT Hobhouse, as well as geography with Halford Mackinder and political thought with G. Lowes Dickinson. The course fee was £10. At the same time, Ambedkar enrolled for the Bar course at Grays Inn.

The London School of Economics was only 21 years old in 1916, but with a high reputation in the social sciences, and for its international student body, 142 students came from outside Britain in 1913–1914. The outbreak of World War I affected the work of the school and the number of students fell by almost half to around 800. Ambedkar’s studies were interrupted, as he was recalled to India to serve as military secretary at the University of Baroda and in July 1917. The University of London granted him a leave of absence of up to four years.

Courtesy : Dalit Awaaz

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