Suhaib Bakshi
Few figures in modern Indian history have influenced the development of democratic institutions as profoundly as B. R. Ambedkar. A jurist, economist, and social thinker, Ambedkar played a central role in shaping the constitutional framework of independent India. Because of his role in the drafting of the Constitution, scholars of constitutional history have occasionally drawn comparisons between Ambedkar and James Madison, reflecting their respective contributions to constitutional development in India and the United States. In his book Ambedkar: A Life, Shashi Tharoor similarly reflects on this parallel. The comparison highlights an important historical observation: enduring democracies depend not only on ideals but also on the careful design of institutions.
Ambedkar’s intellectual formation helps explain the depth of his engagement with constitutional questions. Born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow, in present-day Madhya Pradesh, he rose to become one of the most influential public intellectuals of modern India. His reputation as the “Father of the Indian Constitution” reflects his position as Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, which prepared the constitutional text adopted after independence. Ambedkar’s thinking emerged from a distinctive synthesis of global scholarship and Indian social realities. At Columbia University in New York, he pursued advanced studies in economics, sociology, and political science, where he encountered the work of the American philosopher and educational reformer John Dewey, whose writings on democracy emphasized civic participation, dialogue, and shared responsibility. Dewey’s description of democracy as a “mode of associated living” formed part of the broader intellectual environment in which Ambedkar developed his own understanding of democratic institutions.
His training in economics was equally significant. At Columbia, he studied under Edwin Seligman, whose work on public finance contributed to discussions about taxation and fiscal governance. Ambedkar later continued his academic studies at the London School of Economics, where he worked under the economist Edwin Cannan. His research there focused on monetary economics and the historical evolution of India’s currency system. This research culminated in his study The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution (1923), which examined structural questions related to India’s currency system. Historians of Indian economic thought have noted that debates on currency and banking reform during the early twentieth century formed part of the broader intellectual context in which the Reserve Bank of India was later established in 1935.
Ambedkar’s most enduring public contribution came during the drafting of the Constitution of India. In 1947, he was appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, which was tasked with preparing the constitutional framework of the new republic. The Constitution of India, which came into force on 26 January 1950, established the basic structure of democratic governance in the country and articulated principles such as equality before the law and fundamental rights. Like Madison in the United States, Ambedkar recognized that constitutions must do more than define political authority. They must also create institutional safeguards capable of protecting liberty while maintaining balance among branches of power. Democratic stability, he understood, depends on constitutional arrangements that can manage diversity and preserve individual rights within a complex society.
Another recurring theme in Ambedkar’s thought was the importance of education. He frequently emphasized the role of knowledge in personal and social advancement. A statement widely attributed to him compares education to the “milk of a tigress,” suggesting that learning gives individuals confidence and strength. Although the exact wording varies across sources, the sentiment reflects the value Ambedkar placed on education. This emphasis was also reflected in his social initiatives. In 1924, he founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha, an organisation dedicated to promoting education and social welfare. Through such efforts, he highlighted the importance of education as a pathway for broader social progress.
Ambedkar’s contributions span constitutional law, economics, and public thought. His writings and ideas continue to be studied in discussions on democracy, institutions, and social development. More than seven decades after the adoption of the Constitution of India, his intellectual legacy remains central to conversations about constitutional governance and democratic institutions. In this sense, the comparison with James Madison reflects a broader recognition that the durability of democracy depends on institutions designed with foresight, balance, and respect for human dignity.
(Suhaib Bakshi is a writer. He can be reached at bakshisuhaib094@gmail.com)