Rajkumar Jhalajit Singh

{{Short description|Indian writer, historian, Gandhian, and academic (1924–2021)}}

{{See|Manipur (Mahabharata)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Rajkumar Jhalajit Singh

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| birth_date = 14 September 1924

| birth_place = Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai, Imphal, Manipur, India

| death_date = 8 January 2021 (aged 96)

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| occupation = Writer
Historian

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| known for = Meitei literature

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| parents = Maipak Sana
Ningthemcha Rajani Devi

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| awards = Padma Shri

}}

Rajkumar Jhalajit Singh (14 September 1924 – 8 January 2021) was an Indian writer, historian, Gandhian and academic.{{cite web | url=http://archive.imphaltimes.com/international-day-non-violence-observed/#more-6208 | title=International Day of Non- Violence observed | publisher=Imphal Times | date=2 October 2013 | access-date=2 November 2015}}{{cite web | url=http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/sahitya-akademi/SASearchSystem/sauser/writerinfo.jsp?wrids=2777 | title=Who's Who of Indian Literature | publisher=Sahitya Akademi | date=2015 | access-date=3 November 2015}} He was known for his book, "A Short History of Manipur", which was banned from publishing or selling by his own family members, because the book misleads the readers that the Manipuris are the descendants of Arjuna of the Mahabharata.{{Cite web |title=Family bans Jhalajit's book 'A Short History of Manipur' |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/2972/family-bans-jhalajits-book-a-short-history-of-manipur |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=Imphal Free Press |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-10-09 |title=Family Bans Manipuri Author's Book 'A Short History Of Manipur' {{!}} East Turn Recommended |url=https://eastturn.in/family-bans-manipuri-authors-book-a-short-history-of-manipur/ |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=East Turn |language=en-US}}

Born on 14 September 1924 at Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai, Imphal, in the Northeast Indian state of Manipur to Maipak Sana and Ningthemcha Rajani Devi, he did his schooling at local schools and graduated from Guwahati Cotton College.{{cite web | url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Profile_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Donny_Luwang.Rajkumar_Jhaljit_Singh | title=Padmashri Awardee of Literature | publisher=E Pao | date=2 November 2015 | access-date=2 November 2015}} His post graduate studies were at Calcutta University from where he secured his master's degree (MA) in Economics, followed by a graduate degree in Law (LLB). He was active in student politics during his college days and participated in the All India Students' Congress, held in Delhi. He carried on his political activities after studies and was involved with Indian National Congress as a member of the Assam Congress Working Committee and as the general secretary of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee. His contributions are reported in getting Manipur seceded from the undivided Assam state and eventually getting it full statehood.

Singh was one of the early journalists of Manipur and has been the Editor of Anouba Matam, one of the oldest local dailies.{{cite web | url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Focus_On_Media.Historical_Study_Of_Print_Journalism_3 | title=Historical Study Of Print Journalism (Newspapers) In Manipur (1910-1980) | publisher=E Pao | date=2015 | access-date=3 November 2015}} He worked as a lawyer for a while, before turning to law academics by joining the erstwhile Manipur Law College (presently LMS Law College) as a lecturer. Subsequently, he became the principal of the institution and also worked as a visiting professor at Guwahati University. He was a former president of Manipur Sahitya Parishad (1987–1989) and continued his association with the organization as its member.{{cite web | url=http://mspa.in/life2.html | title=Manipur Sahita Parishad members | publisher=Manipur Sahita Parishad | date=2015 | access-date=3 November 2015}} He also worked with Manipur University as the Controller of Examinations and was the president of Research Society of Manipur. He was the founder president of Manipur Sanskrit Parishad and sat in management committee of Sanskrit College, a Parishad initiative.

He has published several books such as Manipur from 1508, Bharatkee Swaraj, A History of Manipur Literature (2 volumes) and A Short History of Manipur and has contributed a chapter, History and Development of the Ras Leela Dance of Manipur to a book, Aesthetics and Culture:Performing Arts.{{cite book | url=http://www.dkagencies.com/doc/from/1123/to/1123/bkId/DKA26217162763212230174732822971/details.html | title=Aesthetics and Culture:Performing Arts | publisher=Ruby Press | editor1=M.A. Siva Raju |editor2=Pukhrambam Lilabati Devi | year=2015 | pages=161 | isbn=978-9382395836}} He has also released a book, Kabita Nikunja, as publisher.{{cite book | url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kabita-nikunja-Simha-Rajkumar-balajit/dp/B0019TUEKM | title=Kabita nikunja | publisher=R K Jhaljit Singh | author=Simha Rajkumar balajit | year=1997}} The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian award of the Padma Shri in 1999.{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=21 July 2015}} Singh resided at Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai of Imphal.

Singh died in January 2021 at the age of 96.{{cite web |title=Rajkumar Jhalajit Singh's (1924–2021) contribution in the historiography of Manipur|url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2021/1/9/Kakchingtabam-Ruhinikumar-SharmaThe-ultimate-curtains-down-has-arrived-for-Rajkumar-Jhalajit-Singh-1924-2021-historian-teacher-poet-literature-and-above-all-a-social-and-political-activist-fi.html|publisher=The Sangai Express|access-date=12 March 2021}}{{cite web |title=RK Jhalajit condoled |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=29..090121.jan21 |publisher=EPao |access-date=12 March 2021}}