"Rajgrih" (Royal Palace), the place where the great man named Ambedkar stayed in Dadar, Mumbai for 22 years till his death; dream house of Ambedkar. Beyond that, it is the birthplace of many decisions that have been recorded in the history of the country. Despite becoming a full-fledged Mumbaikar, I got the chance to visit Rajgrih only last month. My colleague and Ambedkarji's countryman Rajesh Kasare paved the way for it. It was a journey into history itself.
Rajgrih was built in 1934. In between, renovation of the building took place. However, the building stands tall today with all the glory of history. Ambedkar's current generations live in and protect the house today. All expenses required for this are borne by his family. There was also a feeling from many people that the government was not doing anything.
Rajgrih is an eight minute walk from Mumbai Dadar Station (East). The ground floor of the three storied building is the museum. Family members live upstairs. Without celebration there was not even a single day, which gives memories of Ambedkar. Thousands of people from different walks of life come for this. Even from outside India, many people come to see the place where the great man lived. Japanese people come here mostly.
This house has been guarded by the thirty-four-year-old Rajesh Kasbey for the past 10 years. Rajesh maintains this house without taking any remuneration. "It's a great blessing, I don't know who to thank for the opportunity to take care of this home," says Rajesh. About four hundred people visit this house every day. Rajesh says that on holidays up to 600 people come.
A smiling photograph of Ambedkar welcomes visitors to the Rajgrih. Many of the things he used have been kept the same. Spectacles, fans, pens, collections of rare photographs, books written by him... there are many presences in Rajgrih that evoke his memory. Ambedkar's ashes are also kept here. Rajgrih records and remembers an era itself.
Rajgrih reminds us of his school and college days, the freedom struggle, his sufferings for the country, his struggles against caste discrimination...a great life and era.
