Biographical Overview: 

Sougaijam Somorendra (1894–1985) was the son of Sougaijam Ibochouba, a Member of the Manipur State Durbar (1907–1947), and the grandson of General Sougaijam Balaram Singh (d. 1889) and Princess Tonusana, the daughter of King Narasingh (r. 1844–1850). He was born on 14 July 1894 at Sougaijam Leikai, Yaiskul, Imphal. His uncle, Bhubon Singh, also served as a member of the Manipur State Durbar.

Somorendra holds the distinction of being the first graduate from Manipur. He completed his higher education at the University of Dacca in 1919. In 1929, he was appointed Private Secretary to Maharaja Churachand Singh (Ahmed 2025). During his studies in Dhaka, he was accompanied by his cousin, Hijam Irawat, who later emerged as a prominent Communist revolutionary leader.

Somorendra subsequently served as a Member of the Manipur State Durbar and was actively involved in the Constitution-making Committee of 1947. He played a significant role in the formation of the Manipur State Congress. Along with Sinam Krishnamohan, Hidangmayum Dwijamani Dev Sharma, and Laishram Jugesho, each a member of the State Congress, he represented the party in the Constitution-making Committee (Ahmed 2005).

In 1948, he was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly in the first Manipur State elections. Following the merger of Manipur with India, he pursued a career in law and, in 1957, contested the Lok Sabha elections from Inner Manipur as a candidate of the Praja Socialist Party. He was the founding President of the Manipur Bar Association, established in 1950.  He also became the founding President of the All Manipur Sports Association. In the later phase of his life, Somorendra adopted a religious and contemplative life, devoting himself to the study of religious texts. He passed away in 1985 at the age of ninety-two (Ahmed 2005).

Somorendra was married to two wives: Princess Sanatombi, daughter of Prince Angousana, Senapati, who had been exiled by the British in 1891, and Thongram Gomti Devi (Sougaijam 2025).

References

Ahmd, Syed. 2025. “Sougaijam Somorendra: Founding Member of D.M. College.” Facebook post, accessed 10 January 2026, 7:04 a.m.

__________. 2025. “D.M. College: Its History and Legacy.” e-pao.net, accessed 10 January 2026. 7 a.m

In conversation with Sougaijam Anita, 2025, 7:00 a.m.

Donor Information:

The books were donated to the ARC Library & Archives in 2021 by Huidrom Chanu Anuradha, wife of Advocate Satyabrata, daughter of Princess Angousana, and daughter-in-law of Sougaijam Somorendra.

Collection Description:

The collection primarily consists of law volumes personally used by Sougaijam Somorendra. Notable items include a  signed copy (dated 12/10/1948) of the Assam Election Manual, 1940 believed to have served as a reference for the first Manipur Assembly Election under adult franchise in 1948, which was the first of its kind in South Asia.