#6_February_1939:-
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#90th_Death_Anniversary of
#Sayajirao_Gaekwad_III (Maharaja of Baroda)
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He announced his plan to offer scholarships to send students for higher education at Columbia University. A scholarship of 11.50 British pounds a month, for three years, was awarded to the young Ambedkar.
His major social reforms included, a ban on child marriage, legislation of divorce, removal of untouchability, ideological studies and education. in 1906 he made primary education free and compulsory in all the regions of his state.
Sayajirao was a serious reformer who worked hard to modernise his state. He pushed through several changes aimed at helping the poor and downtrodden. He founded the Bank of Baroda which still exists and is one of India’s leading banks.
He strongly opposed the British presence in India, and when meeting King George V refused to fully bow before the Monarch – creating a scandal.
Eyewitnesses state that he walked away laughing afterward.