The contribution of social activist and thinker B.R. Ambedkar in the development of inclusive policies during the British rule and its culmination into the reservation policy in the Constituent Assembly is immense. In this volume original documents, memorandums, and writings by Ambedkar are put together to highlight the process of development in these policies and his thinking. A comprehensive Introduction discusses both the historical context and the present controversy regarding reservations in a proper perspective, while a new afterword surveys the recent writings on the subject.

Sukhadeo Thorat is Chairman, University Grants Commission, New Delhi.

Narender Kumar is Lecturer at Centre for Dalit and Minorities Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia.

Foreword
Preface and Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations

Introduction: Historical Overview: 1919-55

Part I: Prologue to the Problem of Indian Society: Seeking Solution, 1919-29
Introduction
Chapter 1. Evidence before the Southborough Committee: 27 January 1919
Chapter 2. Statement for the Protection of the Depressed Classes as a Minority in the Bombay Presidency: 29 May 1928
Chapter 3. Statement on Education of the Depressed Classes in the Bombay Presidency: 29 May 1928
Chapter 4. Evidence before the Indian Statutory Commission: 23 October 1928
Chapter 5. On Electorates and Franchise: 17 May 1929
Chapter 6. On Indianization of Services: 17 May 1929

Part II: Constitutional Reforms: Seeking Political Representation, 1930-3
Introduction
Chapter 7. During Round Table Conferences: 20 November 1930
Chapter 8. In Sub-Committee No. III(Minorities): 31 December 1930
Chapter 9. A Scheme of Political Safeguards for the Protection of Depressed Classes: 31 December 1930
Chapter 10. Report of Sub-Committee No. III (Minorities):16 January 1931 154 16 January 1931
Chapter 11. Demand for Specific and Concrete Provisions for Safeguards of Depressed Classes in the Future Constitution: 19 January 1931
Chapter 12. In the Minorities Committee: 8 October 1931
Chapter 13. Provisions for a Settlement of the Communal Problem: 8 October 1931
Chapter 14. Supplementary Memorandum on the Claims of the Depressed Classes for Special Representation: 4 November 1931
Chapter 15. Note Submitted to the Indian Franchise Committee: 1 May 1932
Chapter 16. Poona Pact Correspondence between Gandhiji and British: August-September 1932
Chapter 17. Statement on Gandhiji's Fast: 19 September 1932

PART III: EXTENDING THE REPRESENTATION: EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION, 1934-46
Introduction
Chapter 18. Joint v/s Separate Electorates: Dr. Ambedkar's Via Media: 28 April 1934
Chapter 19. Grievances of the Scheduled Castes: 29 October 1942
Chapter 20. Problem of the Untouchables of India: 1 September 1943
Chapter 21. Communal Deadlock and How to Solve it: 6 May 1945
Chapter 22. Proposal for the Representation of Scheduled Castes in the Executive Council: 7 June 1945
Chapter 23. Memorandum Submitted to the Cabinet Mission:5 April 1946
Chapter 24. Letter to PM Attlee to Restore Separate Electorates:12 August 1946
Chapter 25. Cabinet Mission and the Untouchables: 14 October 1946

PART IV: INDIA'S CONSTITUTION: SAFEGUARDS AGAINST SOCIAL DISCRIMINATION AND ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION, 1947-50
Introduction
Chapter 26. On the Aims and Objectives of the Constitution: 9 December 1946
Chapter 27. States and Minorities: Memorandum Submitted to the Constituent Assembly on the Safeguards for the Scheduled Castes: 15 March 1947
Chapter 28. Constitutional Safeguards for the Scheduled Castes: 1947-50

PART V: POST-CONSTITUTION REFLECTIONS,1951-56
Introduction
Chapter 29. Constitution (First Amendment) Bill: 16 May 1951
Chapter 30. Scheduled Castes Emancipation: Draft Manifesto: 6 October 1951
Chapter 31. On Report of the Commissioner for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes: 6 September 1954
Chapter 32. On Majorities and Minorities: 23 December 1955

Bibliography
Index
Foreword; Preface and Acknowledgements; List of Abbreviations; Introduction: Historical Overview: 1919-55;
Part I: Prologue to the Problem of Indian Society: Seeking Solution, 1919-29:
Introduction;
1. Evidence before the Southborough Committee: 27 January 1919;
2. Statement for the Protection of the Depressed Classes as a Minority in the Bombay Presidency: 29 May 1928;
3. . Statement on Education of the Depressed Classes in the Bombay Presidency: 29 May 1928;
4. Evidence before the Indian Statutory Commission: 23 October 1928;
5. . On Electorates and Franchise: 17 May 1929;
6. On Indianization of Services: 17 May 1929;
Part II: Constitutional Reforms: Seeking Political Representation, 1930-3: Introduction;
7. During Round Table Conferences: 20 November 1930;
8. . In Sub-Committee No. III(Minorities): 31 December 1930;
9. A Scheme of Political Safeguards for the Protection of Depressed Classes: 31 December 1930;
10. Report of Sub-Committee No. III (Minorities):16 January 1931 154 16 January 1931;
11. Demand for Specific and Concrete Provisions for Safeguards of Depressed Classes in the Future Constitution: 19 January 1931;
12. . In the Minorities Committee: 8 October 1931;
13. Provisions for a Settlement of the Communal Problem: 8 October 1931;
14. Supplementary Memorandum on the Claims of the Depressed Classes for Special Representation: 4 November 1931;
15. . Note Submitted to the Indian Franchise Committee: 1 May 1932;
16. Poona Pact Correspondence between Gandhiji and British: August-September 1932;
17. Statement on Gandhiji's Fast: 19 September 1932;
PART III: EXTENDING THE REPRESENTATION: EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION, 1934-46: Introduction;
18. . Joint v/s Separate Electorates: Dr. Ambedkar's Via Media: 28 April 1934;
19. Grievances of the Scheduled Castes: 29 October 1942;
20. . Problem of the Untouchables of India: 1 September 1943;
21. Communal Deadlock and How to Solve it: 6 May 1945;
22. Proposal for the Representation of Scheduled Castes in the Executive Council: 7 June 1945;
23. Memorandum Submitted to the Cabinet Mission:5 April 1946;
24. Letter to PM Attlee to Restore Separate Electorates:12 August 1946;
25. Cabinet Mission and the Untouchables: 14 October 1946;
PART IV: INDIA'S CONSTITUTION: SAFEGUARDS AGAINST SOCIAL DISCRIMINATION AND ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION, 1947-50: Introduction;
26. On the Aims and Objectives of the Constitution: 9 December 1946;
27. States and Minorities: Memorandum Submitted to the Constituent Assembly on the Safeguards for the Scheduled Castes: 15 March 1947;
28. Constitutional Safeguards for the Scheduled Castes: 1947-50; PART V: POST-CONSTITUTION REFLECTIONS,1951-56: Introduction;
29. Constitution (First Amendment) Bill: 16 May 1951;
30. Scheduled Castes Emancipation: Draft Manifesto: 6 October 1951;
31. . On Report of the Commissioner for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes: 6 September 1954;
32. On Majorities and Minorities: 23 December 1955; Bibliography; Index.