Hijam Irabot Singh (30 September 1896-26 September 1951), also known as Jana Neta Hijam Irabot[1], was an active political and social activist during the British rule in Manipur. During his eventful life, he has written journals and composed poems, wrote plays and played in them, participated in various sports activities, but he is best remembered for his chairing the 4th Session of the Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha[2] and his leadership roles against social injustices during the Second Nupilal, 1939[3].
Irabot was born to Hijam Ibungohal Singh and Chongtham Ningol Thambalngambi at Hijam Leikai which has now been replaced by the 1st Manipur Rifles. After his father's death, he moved with his mother to stay with his aunt at Moirangkhom Sawaijam. He studied at Johnstone Higher Secondary School till Class 7 and founded two student bodies, "Bal Sangha" and "Chatra Sanmelan". In 1913, he went to Dhaka with his cousin, Sawaijam Somorendro and got admitted at Pugoj High School to study till Class 9. In 1915, he dropped out due to shortage of money and went to Agartala.
Later that year, when he came back to Manipur, he found that his mother had died. He stayed with a friend in Wangkhei called Maibam Shamden who worked in the court of King Churachand. It was then that he came in good relations with the royal family. He got married to the king's elder brother's daughter Khomdonsana. He was then appointed a member of the Sadar panchayat
