Written by: Vansh Chauhan
5 min readPuneJan 25, 2025 03:10 PM IST
First published on: Jan 25, 2025 at 03:10 PM IST
Dr BR Ambedkar is remembered as a nation builder and as the architect of the Indian Constitution, but did you know that he played the violin? Or that he had a statue of Buddha that he revered? These and other personal belongings of the statesman are preserved at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Memorial on the Symbiosis College campus at Senapati Bapat Road in Pune.
From Vision to Reality
Sanjivini S Mujumdar, honorary director of the Symbiosis Society’s museum, says years after Dr Ambedkar’s death, his wife Dr Savita Ambedkar – popularly called “mai” or “maisaheb” – envisioned setting up a museum to preserve his belongings and memories.
Personal belongings of Dr BR Ambedkar. (Express Photo)
After her appeals for land went unanswered by higher authorities in Mumbai and Delhi, she came across the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research Institute of Law, founded by Symbiosis in 1978. Recognising the institute’s alignment with Babasaheb’s vision and values, she decided it would be able to suitably preserve the possessions he left behind. Dr Savita approached Dr S B Majmudar, the founder and president of Symbiosis Society, with her proposal and he immediately expressed his support.
First day of the Constituent Assembly. (Express Photo)
“Dr Maisaheb Ambedkar transported a complete truckload of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s personal things from Delhi to the Symbiosis Society in Pune on January 23, 1985. Mr Yashwantrao Chavan accepted the items on behalf of Symbiosis,” Sanjivini Mujumdar tells The Indian Express.
Photograph of Dr Ambedkar submitting the draft of the constitution to Dr Rajendra Prasad on 21st February, 1948 (left) and Dr Ambedkar paying his last respect to Mahatma Gandhi on 30th January 1948 (right).
The foundation stone for the museum was laid by then Maharashtra chief minister Sharad Pawar on April 14, 1990, marking the centennial of Ambedkar’s birth. The Maharashtra government allotted nearly two acres of land on Senapati Bapat Road to Symbiosis for constructing the museum and memorial. Symbiosis chipped in Rs 60 lakh to complete the construction.
Symbiosis chipped in Rs 60 lakh to complete the construction. (Express Photo)
Former President K R Narayanan, who was then the country’s vice-president, inaugurated the museum on November 26, 1996, as the nation observed the anniversary of the day on which Dr Ambedkar submitted the Indian Constitution to President Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1949.
Inside the museum
According to Mujumdar, the building was designed in the shape of a stupa in the classical Buddhist architectural tradition by architect Dhananjay Datar. It was given a concrete shape by contractors Raje-Bhate. A garden improved the stony and barren steep terrain around this memorial. Greenery abounds in the surrounding area of the museum. There is also an outdoor theatre where cultural events are hosted. The museum is complemented by a large library, equipped with research facilities.
Sanjivini S Mujumdar, honorary director of the Symbiosis Society’s museum, says years after Dr Ambedkar’s death, his wife Dr Savita Ambedkar envisioned setting up a museum to preserve his belongings and memories. (Express Photo)
Among the key exhibits at the museum is a marble bust of Dr Ambedkar, the chair he used while presenting the Constitution to Dr Rajendra Prasad, and the clothes he wore to important occasions. A dining table with his utensils, spectacles, a silver ink pot and photographs from his final trip, and the bed on which he took his last breath are also seen. Visitors can view Dr Ambedkar’s letters, including one written to Mahatma Gandhi, and his degrees, including the Doctor of Law certificate from Columbia University.
Dalai Lama’s visit to the museum in 2007. (Express Photo)
Dr Ambedkar also owned a statue of Buddha that he revered. The asthikalash or urn that stores his ashes is protected in a glass case at the centre of the staircase that goes up to the circular gallery. A series of white plaques covers significant events of his life throughout the museum, starting from the entrance.
The tableaux outside the museum depict key moments in Dr Ambedkar’s life, including his historic act of handing over the Constitution to Dr Prasad, his role in drafting the Constitution, his embracing of Buddhism and his leadership in the Kalaram Mandir Satyagraha.
Former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam visited the museum in 2007.
“We recently introduced a hologram facility that offers viewers an immersive experience of Dr Ambedkar delivering a speech on the Constitution that remains relevant even today,” says Mujumdar. The museum marks Ambedkar’s birth anniversary on April 14 and the anniversary of his death on December 6. Throughout the year, there are lectures, workshops and other events.
The museum is open from 9.30 am to 5 pm every day and the entry fee is Rs 50 for adults and Rs 20 for children.
The foundation stone for the museum was laid by then Maharashtra chief minister Sharad Pawar on April 14, 1990, marking the centennial of Ambedkar's birth. (Express Photo) 
Personal belongings of Dr BR Ambedkar. (Express Photo)
First day of the Constituent Assembly. (Express Photo)
Photograph of Dr Ambedkar submitting the draft of the constitution to Dr Rajendra Prasad on 21st February, 1948 (left) and Dr Ambedkar paying his last respect to Mahatma Gandhi on 30th January 1948 (right).
Symbiosis chipped in Rs 60 lakh to complete the construction. (Express Photo)
Sanjivini S Mujumdar, honorary director of the Symbiosis Society’s museum, says years after Dr Ambedkar’s death, his wife Dr Savita Ambedkar envisioned setting up a museum to preserve his belongings and memories. (Express Photo)
Dalai Lama’s visit to the museum in 2007. (Express Photo)
Former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam visited the museum in 2007.
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