Dr. B.R. Ambedkar made many contributions towards advancing education and social reform in India. He was the first untouchable to earn a college degree in India. He went on to earn master's degrees in economics from Columbia University in the United States. Upon returning to India, Ambedkar fought against untouchability and the oppression of Dalits, founding the Dalit Buddhist movement. Later in life he wrote extensively about Buddhism and converted to the religion himself. He passed away in 1956 after making immense contributions towards educational reform and Dalit rights in India.