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FOREWORD
The Government of Maharashtra has made a signal contribution to the study and understanding of the history of modern India by undertaking the monumental task of compiling, editing and publishing the works of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The present volume is the thirteenth in the series they have brought out. It is devoted exclusively to the writings and speeches of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on the Constitution of India. As Chairman of the Drafting Committee and as the one who piloted this historic document through the Constituent Assembly, he was the principal architect of the Constitution.
Shri T. T. Krishnamachari, a colleague of his in the Drafting Committee, said in one of his speeches in the Constituent Assembly:
“The House is perhaps aware that of the seven members nominated by you, one had resigned from the House and was replaced. One had died and was not replaced. One was away in America and his place was not filled up, and another person was engaged in State affairs, and there was a void to that extent. One or two people were far away from Delhi and perhaps reasons of health did not permit them to attend. So it happend ultimately that the burden of drafting this Constitution fell upon Dr. Ambedkar and I have no doubt that we are grateful to him for having achieved this task in a manner which is undoubtedly commendable.”