Life
Hijam Irabot Singh was born in a poor family on September 30, 1896 at Pishumthong Oinam Leikai. He lost his father Hijam Ibungohal Singh at his very early age. So, he and along with his mother Chongtham Chanu Thambalngangbi Devi came to the house of his paternal aunt, Sougaijam Ongbi Ibeton Devi at Moirangkhom Sawaijam, Imphal. He grew up and began his education under the care of her aunt. He read upto class VII at Johnston and went to Dacca with his cousin, son of a well-to-do family for further study. However, he didn’t stayed there long enough to complete his education. He thought that college or university degree was not neccessary for him. One day he suddenly left Dacca and roamed the villages in Assam and Tripura where Manipuris were largely inhabited. He wanted to sum up and settled down together for preserving their own cultural identities.
He came back to Manipur in 1915 but her mother was no more. So, he was sheltered in the house of Maibam Samdan who was a member of the Manipur State Durban of Wangkhei, Imphal. So, he was closed to the royal family. Since chilhood days, he was brilliant and always stood for the truth and in his leisure time he roamed from one to another and talked with them sincerely and tried to know their problems and style of living. He was a sports man as well as an artist too. He loved his motherland very and tried to groom the younger generation and led them towards a common goal to attain freedom. His first and foremost strive was to free Manipur from bondage.
To know his simplicity, brilliantness and truthfullness, Churchand Maharaj, the king of Manipur, gave the hand of Khomdonsanam, the eldest daughter of his elder brother. And he was also appointed member of Sadar Panchayat court with all the privileges including a considerable plot of land. However, he was still against the evil deeds and taxes imposed to the poor people by the feudal monarachy under British imperalism. He scarificed all for poor peasants. He was arrested and put into jail and finally exiled from the state. He worked for the freedom of his motherland till death. He died on September 26, 1956 at Tangubo Sedo, a remote village of Burma at the foothill of Ango Ching.
Social Activist
The western education system was encouraged by him. After returning from Dacca in 1915 he established schools for imparting better education. He collected and taught the students till he was appointed as Sadar Panchayat after his marriage with Khomdonsana, the eldest daughter of the brother of Sir Churchand Maharaj, the king of Manipur. Most of the schools were admitted boys. He wanted to join the girls in schools. But the society did not accept western education to the girls. They were engaged in domestic household duties. But he tried with his best to involve and pertake them in any matter of the society. This was exposed with his full support during Nupi Lal.
His first collection of poetry ‘Sheidam Sheireng’ was pescribed as a text book by the Government in 1929. He was also a poet, dramatist, writer, novelist, columnist and travelogue. After returning to Manipur, he published the first ever Manipuri Literary Journal ‘Meitei Chanu’ in 1922 with the help of RK Birendrajit Singh, son of Jubaraj Tikendrajit who was hanged after capturing in the Anglo-Manipuri War 1891, but could not last long due to limited readership and financial constraint. As a columnist, in 1930 he regularly contributed articles on socio-economic issues like women education, economic plight of the poor etc. and published in the monthly journal ‘Yakairol’ edited by Dr. N. Leiren Singh. In 1932 he started to publish the novel ‘Mohini’ in serial but could not publish wholly as the publication was closed down. But he did not give up his inspirations to write down. He again contributed articles on the newly published journel ‘Lalit Manjuri’ which was edited by A. Darendrajit. Along with the company of the Manipuri Literature Lovers, he established Manipuri Sahitya Parishad in 1935. He wrote his best book ‘Imagi Puja’ while he was in the Silhet Jail in 1942. He wrote, translated and composed many songs describing motherland, its freedom and struggle of the poor peasants. In 1922, Town Club, the first sports club in Manipur was established. He was a founder member and a player as well. In 1930 Manipur Dramatic Union was established. He was also a founder member of this union and he created the logo of the union.
Bramhasabha was formed by the nobles under the instruction of the king under British imperalism. They could declare anyone to be Vaisnava or to be an outcaste, to boycott socially, to levy various taxes in the name of religion. Forced labour system was also introduced by them for their safeguard and easy monitoring their duties. This impact resulted to the poor peasants more worser than ever. He strongly opposed these evil practices and maladministrations. Nikhil Hindu Manipuri Mahasabha was established in 1934 for welfare of the Manipuri residing inside and outside of Manipur. He was elected as General Secretary and its second and third sessions held at Silchar and Mandlay (Burma) in 1936 and 1937 respectively. Disobeying the rules of the Bramhasabha, he himself did all the works for the welfare of the people. He was again elected as President in the fourth session of the Nikhil Hindu Manipuri Mahasabha held in December 1938 at Chinga Lampak. He omitted the word Hindu in the very name and remained as a political party. The session was started with the patriotic slogan ‘Bande Matram’ which was banned by the British. The session proclaimed openly that the Mahasabha resolved that full responsible government will be formed and election will be held in Manipur and further resolved to abolish Forced Labour and the power of Branhasabha. And then there issued an order that as the Mahasabha had become a political party, the state employees must leave from the Mahasabha or leave the employment of the State. Without any hesistation, Irabot resigned immediately from the high post he held and sacrificed all for poor peasants.
He started to roam through rural areas and studied their livelihood. Most of the general people were cultivators and worked throughout the year to their respective fields which belonged to the rich landlord. After harvesting the major share of the their product was taken by the landlord. All the rates and prices were fixed by the rich people. In those days the products were at the least quantity as the cultivating way was also very simple. Nothing gained by the farmers after giving land owner’s share. In 1929, there was a famine and people did not get rice to buy in the local market as a large quantity of rice were exported. The women agitated to ban th export of rice but armed soldiers were used to control the mob and there were many injuries. It was happened on December 12, 1929 to which was known as Second Nupi Lal. He was arrested in connection with praising the women on the Second Nupi Lal in a public meeting held on Januar 7, 1940. He was imprisoned in jail for three years. In the jail he demanded to provide good quality of food and essential commodities. So, he was shifted to Silhet jail.
The Second World War was broke out when he was released from Silhet jail. But unfortunately he was banned to enter in Manipur as the Second World War broke out. They thought that he might again revolt against them during this war time so that they instructed to arrest him again for a short time. He was permitted to enter in Manipur in 1946 as the war was almost over. He formed Students and Women Organisation and held frequent meeting to resist the formation of Purbanchal State by all means. After getting total independence from British Empire, the first election was held in 1948. He was elected from Utlou Constituency but could not participate the first assembly sitting. Because, cash awards were declared for his arrest. He had remained in underground. The main factor for being an underground was that on September 21, 1948 a public rally for protesting the formation of Purbanchal State was organised. The rally was blocked by the police at Pungdongbam and there was a violent and killed a policaman. Just after hearing the news he postponed the meeting to which was arranged to hold at Manipur Dramatic Union. A warrent was issued to arrest him. Being heard the news he was escaped.
Revolutionary
This was expected that his true love for motherland was inspired by the ‘Swadesi Movement’ while he was in Dacca. Returning from Dacca he wanted his motherland Manipur to make freedom from the British rule. For achieving the goal he thought that the youths needed to be learned. So, he established Manipuri Schools and began to teach the youths. Other than this teaching profession, he wrote and published his inspirations. But due to the lack of readership, his task was not able to get his target. However, he tried with the best to make a great social changes by encouraging and leading the people to oppose the evil rules formed by the feudal monarchy under British imperalism. The tried to strengthen the women community involving their participation in the social matters. His deed finally gained were shown by Second Nupi Lal.
He did all the works for the welfare of the people specially for poor peasants whom were outcasted and social boycotted by the Bramhasabha. The marriage and sharad for the outcasted people were done by himself opposing to the rules framed by the Bramhasabha. He worked against the landlords in favour of the peasants for fixing rates and prices of labour. His dream was to make freedom fof his motherland. These were focused a great image on his writings and contributions. He sacrificed all the royal inheritances for the people. But the man who loved his motherland so much and sacrificed his whole for his motherland could not even to die on his motherland Manipur.
The western education system was encouraged by him. After returning from Dacca in 1915 he established schools for imparting better education. He collected and taught the students till he was appointed as Sadar Panchayat after his marriage with Khomdonsana, the eldest daughter of the brother of Sir Churchand Maharaj, the king of Manipur. Most of the schools were admitted boys. He wanted to join the girls in schools. But the society did not accept western education to the girls. They were engaged in domestic household duties. But he tried with his best to involve and pertake them in any matter of the society. This was exposed with his full support during Nupi Lal.
His first collection of poetry ‘Sheidam Sheireng’ was pescribed as a text book by the Government in 1929. He was also a poet, dramatist, writer, novelist, columnist and travelogue. After returning to Manipur, he published the first ever Manipuri Literary Journal ‘Meitei Chanu’ in 1922 with the help of RK Birendrajit Singh, son of Jubaraj Tikendrajit who was hanged after capturing in the Anglo-Manipuri War 1891, but could not last long due to limited readership and financial constraint. As a columnist, in 1930 he regularly contributed articles on socio-economic issues like women education, economic plight of the poor etc. and published in the monthly journal ‘Yakairol’ edited by Dr. N. Leiren Singh. In 1932 he started to publish the novel ‘Mohini’ in serial but could not publish wholly as the publication was closed down. But he did not give up his inspirations to write down. He again contributed articles on the newly published journel ‘Lalit Manjuri’ which was edited by A. Darendrajit. Along with the company of the Manipuri Literature Lovers, he established Manipuri Sahitya Parishad in 1935. He wrote his best book ‘Imagi Puja’ while he was in the Silhet Jail in 1942. He wrote, translated and composed many songs describing motherland, its freedom and struggle of the poor peasants. In 1922, Town Club, the first sports club in Manipur was established. He was a founder member and a player as well. In 1930 Manipur Dramatic Union was established. He was also a founder member of this union and he created the logo of the union.
Bramhasabha was formed by the nobles under the instruction of the king under British imperalism. They could declare anyone to be Vaisnava or to be an outcaste, to boycott socially, to levy various taxes in the name of religion. Forced labour system was also introduced by them for their safeguard and easy monitoring their duties. This impact resulted to the poor peasants more worser than ever. He strongly opposed these evil practices and maladministrations. Nikhil Hindu Manipuri Mahasabha was established in 1934 for welfare of the Manipuri residing inside and outside of Manipur. He was elected as General Secretary and its second and third sessions held at Silchar and Mandlay (Burma) in 1936 and 1937 respectively. Disobeying the rules of the Bramhasabha, he himself did all the works for the welfare of the people. He was again elected as President in the fourth session of the Nikhil Hindu Manipuri Mahasabha held in December 1938 at Chinga Lampak. He omitted the word Hindu in the very name and remained as a political party. The session was started with the patriotic slogan ‘Bande Matram’ which was banned by the British. The session proclaimed openly that the Mahasabha resolved that full responsible government will be formed and election will be held in Manipur and further resolved to abolish Forced Labour and the power of Branhasabha. And then there issued an order that as the Mahasabha had become a political party, the state employees must leave from the Mahasabha or leave the employment of the State. Without any hesistation, Irabot resigned immediately from the high post he held and sacrificed all for poor peasants.
He started to roam through rural areas and studied their livelihood. Most of the general people were cultivators and worked throughout the year to their respective fields which belonged to the rich landlord. After harvesting the major share of the their product was taken by the landlord. All the rates and prices were fixed by the rich people. In those days the products were at the least quantity as the cultivating way was also very simple. Nothing gained by the farmers after giving land owner’s share. In 1929, there was a famine and people did not get rice to buy in the local market as a large quantity of rice were exported. The women agitated to ban th export of rice but armed soldiers were used to control the mob and there were many injuries. It was happened on December 12, 1929 to which was known as Second Nupi Lal. He was arrested in connection with praising the women on the Second Nupi Lal in a public meeting held on Januar 7, 1940. He was imprisoned in jail for three years. In the jail he demanded to provide good quality of food and essential commodities. So, he was shifted to Silhet jail.
The Second World War was broke out when he was released from Silhet jail. But unfortunately he was banned to enter in Manipur as the Second World War broke out. They thought that he might again revolt against them during this war time so that they instructed to arrest him again for a short time. He was permitted to enter in Manipur in 1946 as the war was almost over. He formed Students and Women Organisation and held frequent meeting to resist the formation of Purbanchal State by all means. After getting total independence from British Empire, the first election was held in 1948. He was elected from Utlou Constituency but could not participate the first assembly sitting. Because, cash awards were declared for his arrest. He had remained in underground. The main factor for being an underground was that on September 21, 1948 a public rally for protesting the formation of Purbanchal State was organised. The rally was blocked by the police at Pungdongbam and there was a violent and killed a policaman. Just after hearing the news he postponed the meeting to which was arranged to hold at Manipur Dramatic Union. A warrent was issued to arrest him. Being heard the news he was escaped.
Revolutionary
This was expected that his true love for motherland was inspired by the ‘Swadesi Movement’ while he was in Dacca. Returning from Dacca he wanted his motherland Manipur to make freedom from the British rule. For achieving the goal he thought that the youths needed to be learned. So, he established Manipuri Schools and began to teach the youths. Other than this teaching profession, he wrote and published his inspirations. But due to the lack of readership, his task was not able to get his target. However, he tried with the best to make a great social changes by encouraging and leading the people to oppose the evil rules formed by the feudal monarchy under British imperalism. The tried to strengthen the women community involving their participation in the social matters. His deed finally gained were shown by Second Nupi Lal.
He did all the works for the welfare of the people specially for poor peasants whom were outcasted and social boycotted by the Bramhasabha. The marriage and sharad for the outcasted people were done by himself opposing to the rules framed by the Bramhasabha. He worked against the landlords in favour of the peasants for fixing rates and prices of labour. His dream was to make freedom fof his motherland. These were focused a great image on his writings and contributions. He sacrificed all the royal inheritances for the people. But the man who loved his motherland so much and sacrificed his whole for his motherland could not even to die on his motherland Manipur.
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