Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s wife, Ramabai Ambedkar, belonged to the Mahar caste, which is a Dalit community in Maharashtra. This is the same caste that Dr. Ambedkar himself was born into. The Mahars were historically marginalized and considered “untouchable” under the traditional Hindu caste system.
Ramabai Ambedkar played a significant role in supporting Ambedkar during his early struggles, especially while he was studying abroad and working for social reform in India.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s second wife, Dr. Savita Ambedkar (born as Sharada Kabir), belonged to the Brahmin caste, specifically a Chitpavan Brahmin family from Maharashtra.
She was a medical doctor by profession and married Dr. Ambedkar in 1948, after the death of his first wife, Ramabai, in 1935. Their inter-caste marriage was significant and attracted public attention, especially given Ambedkar’s lifelong struggle against the caste system. Despite initial criticism from some quarters, Dr. Savita Ambedkar remained a devoted companion and caretaker during Ambedkar’s final years.