Struggle · 14 Oct 1956
Dhamma Deeksha at Deekshabhoomi
Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur, Bombay State at the time (now Maharashtra)
Sources differ on some details.
On 14 October 1956, Ambedkar and lakhs of his followers became Buddhists.
At Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, Dr B. R. Ambedkar and several lakh people embraced Buddhism together. Counts of those who took the deeksha with him run from more than 3.8 lakh to six lakh. The next day Ambedkar set out the movement's foundations and answered its critics.
The day is remembered every year as Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din. On the anniversary, millions gather at Deekshabhoomi.
See it on the map and the timeline
What the sources record
- On 14 October 1956, Ambedkar and over 3.8 lakh followers embraced Buddhism at Deekshabhoomi. (1)
- The Week gives the number as six lakh. (2)
- Forward Press gives the date as 24 October 1956 and the number as more than four lakh. (3)
- Ambedkar spoke the next day, setting out the movement's foundations and answering its critics. (4)
- He said Nagpur was chosen for its historical connection to the Nag people, not to provoke the RSS, which has its headquarters there. (4)
- Each year on the anniversary, millions gather at Deekshabhoomi. (1)
People in this record
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, led the conversion
Sources
- Press. The Mooknayak (Geetha Sunil Pillai). Ambedkar Family Heirs Urge Nagpur Admin to Avert Crisis at Waterlogged Deekshabhoomi Before 'Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din'. 1 Oct 2025.
- Press. The Week. How Nagpur became the home of RSS's hindutva and Ambedkar's Navayana Buddhism. 23 Aug 2021.
- Press. Forward Press (October 2013 print issue). Nagpur Relives History in October. 2 Oct 2013.
- Press. The Mooknayak (Geetha Sunil Pillai). Ashoka Vijaya Dashami: Ambedkar's historic explanation on why he chose Buddhism over Hinduism. 2 Oct 2025.
On the map at the centre of Nagpur district.