Rajgruha

Rajgruha (alternative spelling: Rajgraha and Rajgriha) is a memorial and house of the leader B. R. Ambedkar at Hindu colony of Dadar in Mumbai, India. It was named Rajgriha (now Rajgir) in reference to the ancient Buddhist kingdom. The ground floor of the three-story building hosts a heritage museum, as a memorial to the Indian leader.

Rajgruha
People visit Rajgruha on Ambedkar's Mahaparinirvana day, 6 December 2017
LocationHindu colony, Dadar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
DesignerB. R. Ambedkar
TypeMemorial
Beginning date1931
Completion date1933
Dedicated toB. R. Ambedkar

This place is a holy site for Indians, especially Ambedkarite Buddhists and Dalits. Ambedkar lived at Rajgruha for 15-20 years.[1][2] Millions of people visit the site before the Chaitya Bhoomi in Shivaji Park on 6 December. Ambedkar collected more than 50,000 books during his time at Rajgruha, which made it one of the largest personal libraries in the world at the time of his death.[3][4] Plans to designate the building as a national monument fell through due to legal and technical issues, but in 2013 the mansion became a heritage monument.[5][6]

History
Babasaheb Ambedkar with his family members at Rajgruha, his residence in the Hindu Colony of Dadar (Bombay). From left – Yashwant (Son), Babasaheb Ambedkar, Smt. Ramabai (Wife), Smt. Laxmibai (Wife of his elder brother, Anand), Mukund (Nephew) and Dr. Ambedkar’s dog, Tobby. February 1934

Babasaheb Ambedkar was born into abject poverty. By 1930, however, his financial situation improved as he became a well-known barrister.

Ambedkar's legal office was near Damodar Hall in Parel. Eventually Ambedkar's house at Paybadevi could no longer accommodate his growing book collection, so he decided to build a new house for himself and his family.

Ambedkar planned for his new home to have a library. In the new structure, two blocks of three rooms were built on the ground floor of the Rajgruha. In those two blocks, his family live. On the first floor of the royal house, he arranged his library and office.[5][7]

In 1930, he owned two plots on each of 99th and 129th streets, and a 55 square yard area in Dadar, a Hindu colony of Mumbai. At 129th Street in the fifth lane, he decided to build a house for his family, while he constructed a rental building on the 99th plot in the third lane. He received a loan from the Central Bank of India. Mr. Aaiskar supervised construction. In January 1931, the construction of the building on plot number 129 began and was completed in 1933. Construction of another building on plot 99 started in 1932. After finishing the construction, they named the building "Char Minar". The name "Rajgruha" was related to Buddhist culture and Hindu culture, whereas the name "Char Minar" was related to Muslim culture.

In 1933, Ambedkar, along with his family, moved in. B. R. Ambedkar, his wife Ramabai, son Yashwant, Laxmibai (wife of his brother), Mukund (his nephew), etc. lived there.

On 9 May 1941, he sold the Char Minar building to pay for the purchase of books and retire outstanding loans. However, he kept the house of Rajgruha as a permanent possession.[8]

Vandalism

On the evening of 7 July 2020, the Rajgruha was vandalized by a person. The man entered the premises of the Rajgruha and smashed flower pots, damaged plants, CCTV camera and pelted stones at a window. Then he left. Mumbai Police are investigating the spot. CCTV footage of the incident has been handed over to the police by the Ambedkar family.[9][10] On same day, Matunga police have registered a case against unknown persons for vandalizing the Rajgruha.[11][12] One person has been arrested in the case and further investigation is underway. Next day, On 8 July 2020, the Maharashtra government has decided to keep Rajgruha under permanent police protection.[13][11][12] On 22 July 2020, the main accused in the attack on Rajgruha was arrested. The accused is identified as Vishal Ashok More alias Vitthal Kanya.[14]

See also

References
  1. "Five must visit places to rediscover the life of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar | India News". Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  2. "बाबासाहेबांच्या 'राजगृहा'च्या आसपास फेरीवाल्यांचा डेरा". Loksatta (in Marathi). 10 October 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  3. Geetha, V. (29 October 2017). "Unpacking a Library: Babasaheb Ambedkar and His World of Books". The Wire. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  4. "Through his vast library, Ambedkar still stays close to his followers - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  5. Gaikwad, Dr. Dnyanraj Kashinath (2016). Mahamanav Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (in Marathi). Riya Publication. p. 186.
  6. "डॉ. बाबासाहेब अांबेडकरांच्या 'राजगृह'ने घेतला मोकळा श्वास". divyamarathi (in Marathi). Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  7. Rashid, Omar (8 September 2015). "The house Ambedkar built in Mumbai gets scant notice". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  8. Gaikwad, Dr. Dnyanraj Kashinath (2016). Mahamanav Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (in Marathi). Riya Publication. p. 187.
  9. "Mumbai: One detained in connection with attack on Ambedkar's house | english.lokmat.com". Lokmat English. 8 July 2020.
  10. "Ambedkar's Mumbai residence attacked by unidentified persons". The New Indian Express.
  11. "मुंबई: डॉ बीआर आंबेडकर के घर 'राजगृह' परिसर में तोड़फोड़, उद्धव सरकार ने आवास के बाहर दी सुरक्षा, एक हिरासत में". www.abplive.com. 8 July 2020.
  12. "'राजगृह'वर आता कायमस्वरूपी असणार पोलिसांचा पहारा; ठाकरे सरकारचा महत्वाचा निर्णय". Lokmat. 8 July 2020.
  13. "राजगृहाला २४ तास संरक्षण देण्याचा राज्य मंत्रिमंडळाचा निर्णय". zeenews.india.com.
  14. "Rajgruha vandalised: 20-year-old man 'caught on CCTV damaging flower pots & hurling stones' arrested". 23 July 2020.

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