Subedar Ramji Maloji Sakpal was father of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. He hailed from Ambavade village of Mandangad Taluka in Ratnagiri District. Subedar Ramji was a teacher in the Army, where he held the post of headmaster for fourteen years and attended the rank of Subedar-Major. While his army unit was stationed at Mhow in central India, Ramji and his wife Bhimabai were blessed with their fourteenth child - Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Ramji passed away in Mumbai on 2nd February 1913.

Dr. Ambedkar was fondly called 'Bhima' by his father, Ramji who was an ardent devotee of saint Kabeer. Bhimrao had his early lessons at the hands of his father, Subedar Ramji, who inculcated in his young mind, characteristic of discipline, self-esteem, hard work and a profound love for education.