Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad's 1917 Order Compensated Dr. Ambedkar for Lost Belongings
In a little-known historical gesture, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda issued a special 'hujoor hukam' (order) on September 11, 1917, gifting Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Rs 300 as compensation for personal belongings lost during World War I. This act of support came at a critical juncture in Ambedkar's early career and education.
The Sinking of SS Salsette and Ambedkar's Loss
According to an official statement, in July 1917, the British steamer SS Salsette was torpedoed by Germany in the English Channel. The ship carried Dr. Ambedkar's PhD thesis and his books, which were lost in the incident. Fortunately, Ambedkar himself was traveling to India on another ship at the time and was unharmed.
The subsequent events are less documented: After this event, Ambedkar resumed his job in the Baroda State administration. When Maharaja Sayajirao learned about the loss of Ambedkar's belongings, he took immediate action by issuing the 'hujoor hukam' in September 1917 to compensate for the damage.
Details of the 1917 Order and Early Support
The order explicitly states that Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was appointed as a probationer in the accountant general's office with a monthly salary of Rs 150. Additionally, Rs 300 was approved as a gift specifically for the loss of belongings during his return from America, where he had pursued higher studies.
This was not the first instance of the Maharaja's patronage. In 1907, Ambedkar became the first student from the Mahar community to pass the matriculation exam. At an honor ceremony, Acharya Krishnaji Arjun Keluskar praised Ambedkar as an intelligent and capable student and assured him of arranging a scholarship from Sayajirao Gaekwad.
Acharya Keluskar introduced Bhimrao to the Maharaja, who asked him several questions. Satisfied with his precise answers, Sayajirao Gaekwad awarded him a monthly scholarship of Rs 25, which supported his education at Elphinstone College in Mumbai, where he completed his BA.
After his graduation, Dr. Ambedkar began working for the Baroda State before going abroad for further studies, setting the stage for his future contributions to Indian society and law.
