Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar was a member of the lowest Hindu caste, the Dalits or untouchables, but he was also one of the main authors of India's post-independence constitution

Fifty years after Dr Ambedkar converted to Buddhism, millions of Dalits have followed his example as they seek to escape their lowly position in the Hindu caste system

One of the central features of Dr Ambedkar's teachings was that Dalits, particularly girls, should have the right to education

Dr Ambedkar argued for his followers to leave their Hindu gods behind and convert, preferably, to Buddhism; the Dalit community in Nagpur has all converted to Buddhism

Following his teachings, Dalits like this old woman have moved to the city to try to improve their lot in life

Dr Ambedkar called for equal rights for Dalits and successfully argued for quotas in higher education and the civil service that guaranteed places for them

A statue of Dr Ambedkar has pride of place and stands next to a statue of Buddha in Nagpur's Dalit community