TODAY -

Hijam Irabot - Our 'Icon of Revolution' in all walks of life

Dr L Shashikumar Yurembam *

File Photo of Hijam Irabot and his wife RK Khomdonsana
File Photo of Hijam Irabot and his wife RK Khomdonsana :: Pix - Hueiyen Lanpao / Kangla Facebook Group



Manipur was deprived of freedom after its defeat in the Khongjom War, 1891. Major Maxwell came as the British political agent to unite the princely kingdom and brought it under the British rule. Taking the law of the land directly into their hands, the British awarded capital punishment to Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General for challenging the might of the British and trying to guard Manipur's sovereignty. This left a blazing fire burning in the heart of the helpless Manipuris who were already at the mercy of the British rule.

It was such a time that saw the birth of Hijam Irabot, the Icon of Revolution in Manipur. Born in a simple Meetei family on September 30, 1896 at Pishum Oinam Leikai, Irabot was destined to lose his parts, Hijam Ibungohal and Chongtham Chanu Thambalnganbi at a very young agre. He grew up and began his education under the care of his paternal aunt, Sougaijam Ongbi Ibeton.

After completing his seventh standard, he went to Dhaka for further studies with Sougaijam Somerendra in 1913. His stayed at Dhaka was short-lived and he studied only till the ninth class. In 1915, he wernt to Tripura and stayed there for some time. On his return to Manipur, he did not go back to his aunt's place but stayed at Wangkhei at the residence of Maibam Samdan, who was a member of the Manipur State Durban. By that time, India had also started revolting vehemently against the British rule.

Since childhood, Irabot had been a meticulous boy who always stood for the cause of truth. Whenever, he was free, he used to mingle with people in his society and came to know and understand more about their problems as well as their ways of livelihood. The seed of his commitment to the cause of the sufferings in the society was sown during this very crucial time.

He spearheaded movement towards this goal without turning back. His first and foremost strive was to free Manipur from bondage. Realising that the struggle for independence calls for able and healthy young sons of the soil, Irabot emphasized on upliftment of sports in the state. He was the one who initiated the organization of various sports tournaments like Football, Hockey and Cricket, which were first of its kinds in Manipur. He also focused his attention on the cultural and economic development of the State.

Much of the literary trends in Manipur also owe its existence to Neta Irabot. In 1922, he published 'Meetei Chanu', a journal, and thus laid the foundation stone for arts and literature among Manipuri daughters whom Irabot always held at the highest esteem.

Irabot was also the first who tried to cast the reflection of the western civilization in Manipur. As a dramatic persona, his place was unchallenged. He played the roles of women in various plays like the much acclaimed. In 'Nar Singh' of Lairenmayum Ibungohal, he was the Kumuda. In the play 'Areppa Marup', he played the part of Chandra Singh.

All his plays reflected his intense love for the motherland and always threw light on the mother-son relationship and the sorrows and pains there when the two are separated. The Manipur Dramatic Union was formed on 17 April, 1930. His intention behind all these activities was to instill in each Manipuri the love of motherland and to groom the younger generation and led them towards a common goal- to attain freedom.

By then, Irabot's personality attracted the attention of the royal family and the King's courtiers. Thus, he was offered the hands of Khomdonsana, Sir Churachand Maharaj's niece. Subsequently, he was made a member of the Sadar Panchayat which made him to leave his initial profession as a teacher. Even after his sudden change in social status, Irabot never betrayed his commitment to the cause of the common people. He tried his best to abolish discrimination in the society in the name of religion. Stories are still being told about the incidents in which Irabot personally involved in cremating dead bodies shunned by the Brahmins as unholy and conducted the Shradha ceremony by performing the rites himself.

One of the most important incidents with which we associated Irabot is the 'Nupi Lan' (Women's War). He was the man who left behind many unforgettable imprints on the pages of Manipur history. He also laid the foundation for 'Manipuri Krishi Sammelan', an organization for the farmers and helped them to voice many of their demands and wants. This was an eye opener for the farmers of the time and also ushered in the trend of public participation in the functioning and governing of the state.

Irabot believed in solidarity and the feeling of oneness among the Manipuris of the hills and the valley. For the first time in the history of Manipur, he instilled political consciousness in the minds of the public.

During the time of 'Nupi Lan' when shouting slogans were banned, he led the agiotation by singing songs that produced a dynamic effect on the minds of the people. Because of his involvement in the various social and political issues brewing up in the state, a criminal case was filed against him by the Manipur State Durbar. The idea of communism was born and he became an ardent communist while in prison. After being released from the jail, Irabot was barred from entering his homeland, Manipur. During these years, he participated in many conventions and meetings of the Communist party.

In 1948 at a Communist party meeting at Calcutta (now Kolkata), the idea of armed revolution was broached up and Irabot supported it. He later became a full-fledged member of Communist party when it became a National party. He was elected from Utlou Constituency in the 1948 election. Many youth and women came forth to join his party.

September 21, 1948 proved to be a milestone in Hijam Irabot's life as a revolutionary, popularly known as the 'Pungdongbam Incident'. This day saw the emergence of Neta Irabot as an underground activist. The Government announced a reward of Rs 10,000 to anyone who could tell Irabot's whereabouts. But there was no Manipuri who would betray his love and sacrifice. Even during his period of hiding, Irabot rendered his services for the development of the society. He went to Burma (now Myanmar) in 1950 and continued to work for the people at the International level. On the 26th September, 1951, in a remote village of Burma called Tangubo Sedo, Irabot breathed his last.

'Revolution' in Manipur in almost all fields was pioneered by Hijam Irabot. He strove till his last to build a firm and developed society as each day in Manipur unveiled more bitter experiences for the masses. Irabot, his life and person, has today become an indispensable memory. A leader and revolutionary like him is what Manipur needs now.


* Dr L Shashikumar Yurembam wrote this article for Hueiyen Lanpao
This article was posted on September 30, 2012.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Emergence of Manipur in history #1
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2024 : Timeline
  • Ningol Chakouba 2024 at Delhi
  • Rani Gaidinliu Sports Meet at Shillong
  • Thadou Convention passed resolutions
  • International Drug Users Day 2024
  • Fragrances to wear this Festive Season
  • Stay out, don't enter : CoTU to CM
  • Ooba Video : is now relaunched !
  • Countering false narrative with facts & figures
  • Sayol Taragi Jagoi : Gallery
  • A hypothetical reasoning in day dreaming!
  • National Unity Day at Manipur University
  • A Song Whispers In My Heart :: Poem
  • School inspection in Liangmai areas
  • Thadou Convention 2024
  • This Diwali think of the environment
  • Not the time to rub anyone the wrong way
  • Student bodies & healthcare system in state
  • Apangba Pandit : Folktale
  • 13th Annual General Meeting AMAND: Gallery
  • Urgent rollback of Kangpokpi district
  • 5th Rongmei Freshers' Meet 2024 at Delhi
  • Appeals to Prime Minister of India
  • Obit : Naga leader 'Uncle T A Ngullie'
  • Be what you want to be
  • Pointing fingers at the last 40 years
  • Helming the affairs in a polarised society
  • Thang Ta @Polo Tournament #2: Gallery
  • November Calendar for Year 2024 : Tools
  • Peace for all through legal ways
  • Cease War-Like Situation in Manipur
  • Ningol Chakoubagi yaipha paojel
  • Celebrate Diwali, light earthen diyas
  • Lady Justice holds Constitution & not blind
  • Send the report as sought
  • Unrest situation affecting neutral regions
  • International Dance Day #4: Gallery
  • Thawanjao, Riinghring, Khupboi : eMing
  • Manipur, oh My Manipur
  • Chemistry Nobel Prize 2024
  • Barak Festival 2025 at Silchar
  • Liangnah School, Tamei : Cultural Day
  • 4th Death Anniv: Spility Lyndoh Langrin
  • Of bombs & monetary demands
  • Public outrage against extortion activities
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #5: Gallery
  • Golden Jubilee of Hamai English High School
  • 5th Northeast Fiesta at Jalandhar
  • Being Dumb :: Poem
  • Versatile visa interview for Bharat
  • Tale of potholed roads & more
  • Why food safety drives only during festivals ?
  • A Lotus in Mud :: Movie Screenplay
  • Komagata Maru :: Travellog
  • Understanding the theories of IDPs
  • BRIC-IBSD : Phytopharmaceuticals
  • The Power of Poppy - 53 :: Poem
  • Preserving audiovisual heritage as career
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • 133rd Manipur Police raising day #1 : Gallery
  • Pre-conditional talk needs differentiation
  • Nigerian delegation visited Manipur : Gallery
  • HIV response under lens of indigenous rights
  • Rash driving killing thousands in India
  • Skincare tips to get your Diwali glow
  • Protesting against Govt: Why target Meiteis ?
  • Afforestation vision limited to Imphal valley!
  • Fattaba Laushingi Namthak : Folktale
  • India International Science Festival 2024
  • Northeast Fiesta 2024 at Punjab
  • Amphibians most affected by climate change
  • Manipur violence, a litmus test for officers
  • A crisis for Meitei community survival
  • Stand against border fencing
  • Chakkouba, litmus test of benevolence
  • Manipuri Mythology & Folklore : Gallery
  • Fresh Water Pearl Farming in Manipur
  • RIST #60: Complex heterogeneous systems
  • District reversal- Restructure for State integrity
  • Unclasp the Fear :: Poem
  • Prognosis from MPCC : The last 17 months
  • Ban on chewable tobacco products
  • Indigenous Chothe Naga Tribe & its Identity
  • 13th Annual General Meeting of AMAND
  • IBSD: Exploring Microbial Bioresource of NE
  • Learning English communication in age of AI
  • 9th Brahmaputra Film Fest announces dates
  • Growing fears of technological disaster
  • 7 days since the Delhi do of Oct 15
  • Highway facelift fund for strife-hit state
  • Women drive the dry flower business
  • The Last Kangjei of Kanglei Sagol :: Poem
  • Nigerian dairy stakeholders visit Manipur
  • Promoting tourism at Thanga Chaoba Hilltop
  • Tababi calls for focus on women football
  • 9th Brahmaputra Valley Film Fest: PR & Media
  • Ibudhou Mongba Hanba & Hanuman Ji
  • Looking at the all round failure
  • Highway siege diluting UDAN success tale
  • 128th Jananeta Irawat @Shanglen #2 : Gallery
  • SN Chand: Lens of Brogendragee Luhongba
  • Will talks succeed in absence of Muivah ?
  • Attacking the villages of Scheduled Castes
  • Manipur deserves a responsible Government
  • Foot & Mouth Disease: Are farms ready ?
  • Understanding essence of normalcy
  • Aggressors playing the victim card!
  • Mera Houchongba @Konung #1 : Gallery
  • 'Imaging Manipur' :: Book Review
  • Nongpok Thong Hangba - The prophecy
  • Free & Safe Travels for All People
  • Diminishing trend of home garden practices
  • The Power of Poppy - 52 :: Poem
  • Keep your skin glowing during festival season
  • Floral tributes @ Cheiraoching #3 : Gallery
  • Debkumar Bose, Pioneer of Manipuri Cinema
  • Are we delivering new HIV prevention tools
  • Programm on Intellectual Property Rights
  • Medical Officer at RKM Hospital, Itanagar
  • Initial Management of Orthopedic Trauma
  • Of fake news & the unwanted stuffs
  • Missive to Modi exposes longing for CM's chair
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #2 : Gallery
  • Culture-saving literature with Somi Roy works
  • Puri Temple Kitchen- A sneak peek
  • Freshers / Farewell Party at IIIT Manipur
  • ST Status for Assam's Meeteis
  • 6th Guwahati Foodie Ethnic Food
  • SIT required to probe at Haoreibi
  • Looking back at the Oct 15 meeting
  • Task cut out for NIA
  • Ka Henna Pambei Mahei : Folktale
  • Mera Hou Chongbagi Pandam oihansi
  • 76th People's Unity & Democracy in Manipur
  • Genepool of endemic forest trees of Manipur
  • Welcomes Manipur peace meeting at Delhi
  • Was there a need for SoO pact with Kuki-Zo ?
  • Not to be Unlucky :: Poem
  • What points were put forward ? Questions
  • Artificial food crisis
  • Case for Manipuri as a classical language
  • 8th Wheelchair Basketball C'ship : Gallery
  • Child Abuse in a Connected World
  • Unity Triumph :: Poem
  • Environment & wildlife ethics for co-existence
  • Hand washing: Step towards healthier world
  • Questions on Delhi dialogue
  • Thriving extortion racket
  • Kwak Tanba @Sana Konung #1: Gallery
  • My Beloved :: Poem
  • World Mental Health Day 2024
  • Manipur's society : At a glance
  • Centre to meet Meitei, Kuki & Naga MLAs
  • RSS centenary celebration begins
  • Hypocrisy and Nari Shakti
  • Eyes on Delhi dialogue
  • Will Delhi talk break the stalemate ?
  • Manipuri Cinema & Status of Women
  • Skater Tiluck Keisham scripts history
  • Kollamani : vegetable cash crop in Manipur
  • World Sight Day 2024
  • Ghost of Kpi continues to haunt
  • Special cell to tackle extortion menac
  • Bor @Hiyangthang Lairembi: Gallery
  • Fellowship for Conflict Victim students
  • Armed Conflict in Manipur
  • From poppy fields to black markets #2
  • Yuval Harari exposes power & AI nexus
  • Stifling of Public Voice for Scheduled Tribe
  • The Power of Poppy - 51 :: Poem
  • Ema Panthoibi @ Mandalay, Myanmar
  • Chaga Ngee : Liangmai Post-harvest Fest
  • Celebrating ML : 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics
  • ST Status for Assam's Meeteis
  • Choices for women & girls for HIV prevention
  • 'Chawal Ka Atta' for glowing skin
  • Needed : A strong Opposition
  • No scheme benefits for unrecognised village
  • 128th Jananeta Irawat @Lilasing : Gallery
  • Attention : Dire condition of Pony
  • Search is Over ! :: Poem
  • World Mental Health Day 2024
  • Mental Health Camp at RGU
  • Antibiotic resistance: a new pandemic threat
  • ST for Meiteis campaign: Take steps for 2027
  • No respite from dengue threat
  • 70th Wildlife Week Celebration #1 : Gallery
  • World Mental Health Day, 10 October
  • Govt Schemes Nurture NE's Cinematic Talent
  • Political lies & drama amidst the violence
  • Are we on the path to end AIDS by 2030 ?
  • Manipur: A jewel under siege
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Playing SA card: Camouflaged under SoO
  • Alert over cut-off years in neighbouring states
  • Haudonggi Bichar : Folktale
  • AMWJU Golden Jubilee #2 : Gallery
  • Book release & Panel Discussion at Delhi
  • Manipuri language is classical
  • From poppy fields to black markets #1
  • 13 Aug: Heikat-Leikat #2 : Gallery
  • 'Samkhok' at 2024 Busan Intl Film Fest
  • The first use of weaponised drones
  • World Bamboo Day @Chiangmai #2 : Gallery
  • Rugby player Holina Ningombam
  • Maru Amashung Maasha : Movie screenplay
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #1 : Gallery
  • Cleanliness Day @GM Hall : Gallery
  • 128th Jananeta Irawat @Shanglen #1 : Gallery
  • 'Maral siriba matangda Wafam thamjari'
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #1
  • Useful Education Abbreviations
  • Student protest, injured [Sep 10]: Gallery
  • Students protest rally [Sep 09]: Gallery
  • Meira Rally @Tiddim Rd [Sep 08]: Gallery
  • Landscape of Kamjong District : Gallery
  • Sanamahi Cheng Hongba #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur Official Phone Directory : Search
  • Panthoibi Phijol Hongba @Mandalay : Gallery
  • HSLC (Class X) 2024 : Full Result
  • HSLC 2024 : Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2024 : Pass % : Private Schools
  • HSLC 2024 : Pass % : Aided Schools
  • HSLC 2024 : Pass % : Govt Schools
  • HSLC 2024 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2024 : Comparative Statement
  • Malemnganbi Laishram : Science Topper
  • Thokchom Sheityajit : Arts Topper
  • Aiena Naorem : Commerce Topper
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Science Topper
  • HSE 2024 : Subject Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2024 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2024 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Science Full Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Arts Full Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024: Commerce Result
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Arts Topper
  • Hr Secondary Exam 2024 : Commerce Topper
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD