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Biography

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{{short description|Commander in the Ahom kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Lachit Borphukan
| battles = Lead the Ahom army to decisive victory in 1671 [[Battle of Saraighat]] against the Mughals.
| allegiance = Tai [[Ahom kingdom]]
| rank = [[Borphukan]] and Commander-in-Chief of the Ahom army
| birth_date = {{birth date|1622|11|24|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1672|4|25|1622|11|24|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Jorhat]], [[Assam]], [[India]]
| birth_place = [[Charaideo]], [[Assam]], [[India]]
| image = Lachit Barphukan's maidam2.JPG
| caption = Lachit Barphukan's Statue at Jorhat, Assam, India.
}}
'''Lachit Borphukan''' (24 November 1622 - 25 April 1672) was a commander and [[Borphukan]] (Phu-Kon-Lung) in the [[Ahom kingdom]],<ref name="Gogoi2006">{{cite book|author=Nitul Kumar Gogoi|title=Continuity and Change Among the Ahom|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DrN5_kseuDcC&pg=PA65|year=2006|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-8069-281-9|pages=65–|access-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219033755/https://books.google.com/books?id=DrN5_kseuDcC&pg=PA65|archive-date=19 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> located in present-day [[Assam, India]], known for his leadership in the 1671 [[Battle of Saraighat]] that thwarted a drawn-out attempt by [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] forces under the command of [[Ramsingh I]] to take over [[Ahom kingdom]].<ref name="hinduhumanrights1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/parthian-shot/lachit-barphukan-an-assamese-war-hero-and-new-hindutva-icon/|title=Lachit Barphukan: An Assamese war hero and new Hindutva icon|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223190918/http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/parthian-shot/lachit-barphukan-an-assamese-war-hero-and-new-hindutva-icon/|archive-date=23 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He died about a year later due to illness.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/06inter.htm |title=Is it wrong to be proactive? |publisher=Rediff.com |access-date=2013-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023190622/http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/06inter.htm |archive-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Biography ==
Lachit Borphukan was the son of Momai Tamuli Borbarua, the first [[Borbarua]of upper-[[Assam]] and Commander-in-Chief of the [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom]] army) under [(Pratap Singha)]].<ref>{{harvcol|Baruah|1986|p=270}}</ref> His mother's name was La-Cheng Aideu.{{cn|date=May 2020}} He was born in [[Charaideo]] to a Tai [[Ahom people|Ahom]] family.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gohain |first1=Birendra Kr |title=Lachit Barphukan the National Hero of Assam |date=2012 |publisher=Publication Board Assam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8izCsn_Jwy4C&q=lachit+family |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
| last = Bhuyan
| first = S K
| title = Lachit Barphukan and His Times
| publisher = Lawyer's Book Stall
| year = 1947
| location = Guwahati
}}</ref> Lachit Borphukan was educated in Humanities, indigenous scriptures and military skills. He was given the responsibility of serving as the ''Soladhara Barua'' (''scarf-bearer'') of the Ahom [[Swargadeo]], a position equivalent to a Private Secretaryship, which was regarded as the first step for a career as an ambitious diplomat or politician. Other offices held by Lachit before his appointment as Borphukan included Superintendent of the Stable of Royal Horses (''Ghora Barua''), Commander of the strategic Simulgarh Fort and Superintendent of the Royal Household Guards (''Dolakaxaria Barua'') for King [[Chaofa Suo-Pung-Moung(Chakradhwaj Singha)]].

King Chakradhwaj Singha selected Lachit Borphukan to lead the forces of the Kingdom of Ahom to liberate Guwahati from Mughal occupation. The King presented Lachit with a gold-hafted sword ([[Hengdang]]) and the customary paraphernalia of distinction. Lachit raised the army and preparations were completed by summer of 1667. Lachit recovered [[Guwahati]] from the Mughals and successfully defended it against the Mughal forces during the [[Battle of Saraighat]].

Lachit Borphukan died about a year after the victory at Saraighat due to natural causes. His remains lie in rest at the Lachit Maidaam constructed in 1672 by Swargadeo Udayaditya Singha at Hoolungapara 16 km from [[Jorhat]].

There is no portrait of Lachit Barphukan, but an old chronicle does provide a physical description:
{{Quote|His face is broad, and resembles the moon in its full phase. No one is capable of staring at his face.}}

== Battle of Saraighat ==
{{Main|Battle of Saraighat}}
After being defeated by Lachit and his forces, the [[Mughals]] army sailed up the [[Brahmaputra river]] from [[Dhaka]] towards [[Assam]] advancing to [[Guwahati]]. The Mughal Army under [[Ram Singh I]] consisted of 30,000 infantry, 15,000 archers, 18,000 Turkish [[cavalry]], 5,000 gunners and over 1000 cannons besides a large flotilla of boats.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://satyameva-jayate.org/2010/11/24/lachit-barphukan/ |title=» Remembering our Heroes – Lachit Barphukan & the Battle of Saraighat . |publisher=Satyameva Jayate |access-date=2013-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304033234/http://satyameva-jayate.org/2010/11/24/lachit-barphukan/ |archive-date=4 March 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="indianfolklore">{{cite web | url=http://indianfolklore.org/journals/index.php/Ish/article/download/345/376 | title=Remembering the Great Lachit Barphukan of Assam – the Hero of Saraighat Battle | access-date=April 2, 2013 | author=Rashmi Sarmah | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425092941/http://www.indianfolklore.org/journals/index.php/Ish/article/download/345/376 | archive-date=25 April 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Ram Singh, the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] commander in chief failed to make any advance against the Assamese army during the first phase of the war. An arrow carrying a letter by Ram Singh telling that Lachit have been paid rupees one lakh and he should evacuate [[Guwahati]] was fired into the [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom]] camp, which eventually reached the [[Ahom Dynasty|Ahom]] king, [[Chakradhwaj Singha]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mail-archive.com/assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu/msg02313.html |title=Lachit Borphukan: saluting the redoubtable General of Assam |publisher=Mail-archive.com |date=2002-11-24 |access-date=2013-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411062719/http://www.mail-archive.com/assam@pikespeak.uccs.edu/msg02313.html |archive-date=11 April 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the king started to doubt Lachit's sincerity and [[patriotism]], his [[prime minister]] [[Atan Buragohain]] convinced the King this was just a trick against Lachit.

During the last stage of the [[Battle of Saraighat]], when the [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] attacked by the river in [[Saraighat]], the Assamese soldiers began to lose their will to fight. Some elements retreated. Though Lachit was seriously ill he boarded a boat and with seven boats advanced against the Mughal fleet. He said: "If you (the soldiers) want to flee, flee. The king has given me a task here and I will do it well. Let the [[Mughals]] take me away. You report to the king that his general fought well following his orders". His soldiers rallied and a desperate battle ensured on the river [[Brahmaputra]].

Lachit Borphukan was victorious. The [[Mughals]] were forced to retreat from [[Guwahati]].<ref name="Kanwal2000">{{cite book|author=Gurmeet Kanwal|title=Defenders of the Dawn: A Panorama of Eastern Command|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3wx06bctfl4C&pg=PA40|access-date=3 April 2013|year=2000|publisher=Lancer Publishers|isbn=978-81-7062-279-6|pages=40–}}</ref> The [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] Commander-in-Chief, acknowledging his defeat by the Ahom soldiers and their Commander-in-chief Lachit Barphukan, wrote:
{{Quote|Glory to the king! Glory to the counselors! Glory to the commanders! Glory to the country! One single individual leads all the forces! Even I, Ram Singh, being personally on the spot, have not been able to find any loophole and an opportunity!}}

==Memorial & monuments==
[[File:Lachit Bust at NDA.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Lachit bust at [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defense Academy]].]]

===Lachit Divas===
November 24 is celebrated as ''Lachit Divas'' (Lachit Day) in [[Assam]] to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the Assamese army at the [[Battle of Saraighat]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newslivetv.org/index.php/news/special/526-lachit-divas-observed-across-assam |title=Lachit Divas observed across Assam |publisher=Newslivetv.org |access-date=2013-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002155/http://www.newslivetv.org/index.php/news/special/526-lachit-divas-observed-across-assam |archive-date=2016-03-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=TI Trade |url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=nov2510/city07 |title=The Assam Tribune Online |publisher=Assamtribune.com |date=2010-11-25 |access-date=2013-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232432/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=nov2510%2Fcity07 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal (Best Cadet of NDA)===
The best passing out cadet of [[National Defence Academy]] is conferred the Lachit Borphukan gold medal every year from 1999
The announcement of institution of the award by Indian Army chief General Malik on 25 April 1999 at the Delhi programme in presence of India's vice-president and other dignitaries was the pivot to perpetuate the memory of Lachit Borphukan at the national level for the very first time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newslivetv.com/regional/lachit-borphukan-gold-medal-award-nda-ideal-platform-for-grooming-of-cadets-gogoi.html |title=Lachit Borphukan gold medal award: NDA ideal platform for grooming of cadets: Gogoi - Regional | News Post |publisher=Newslivetv.com |date=2013-02-18 |access-date=2013-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203225116/http://www.newslivetv.com/regional/lachit-borphukan-gold-medal-award-nda-ideal-platform-for-grooming-of-cadets-gogoi.html |archive-date=3 December 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sentinelassam.com/ghy_city/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=140647&dtP=2013-01-11&ppr=1 |title=The Sentinel |publisher=Sentinelassam.com |access-date=2013-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215718/http://www.sentinelassam.com/ghy_city/story.php?sec=1&subsec=0&id=140647&dtP=2013-01-11&ppr=1 |archive-date=2016-03-03 }}</ref> Battalion Cadet Adjutant Aaditya Udupa, 126th NDA Course,was awarded the medal for the Spring Term 2014 on 28 May 2014.

===Mahabir Lachit Award===
An award is presented to notable personalities of Assam by Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad (TAYPA). Some of recipients are: Lt. Gen (retd.) S.K. Sinha (2012), Bhugeswar Baruah (2013), Capt. Jintu Gogoi - posthumously (2014),<ref>{{cite web|title=Lachit Award posthumously to Jintu Gogoi|url=http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=nov2514/at051|website=Assam Tribune|access-date=24 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327183821/http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=nov2514%2Fat051|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Jadav Payang (2015),<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabir Lachit Award 2015 conferred on Jadav Payeng|url=http://www.echoofarunachal.in/newsdetails.php?nid=ECHO20151125032337|website=Echo of Arunachal|access-date=25 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126004246/http://www.echoofarunachal.in/newsdetails.php?nid=ECHO20151125032337|archive-date=26 November 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Dr. Pushpadhar Gogoi and Dr. Hiren Gohain (2016).<ref>{{cite web|title=Tributes to Bir Lachit; Govt confers Lachit Award to Dr Hiren Gohain|url=http://g-plus.in/page/news-tributes-to-bir-lachit-govt-confers-lachit-award-to-dr-hiren-gohain|website=G-Plus|access-date=25 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126003500/http://g-plus.in/page/news-tributes-to-bir-lachit-govt-confers-lachit-award-to-dr-hiren-gohain|archive-date=26 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The award includes cash amount of ₹50,000.00, a citation and a traditional sword.

===Lachit Borphukan's Maidam===
Lachit Borphukan's Maidam was constructed in memory of Lachit Borphukan at [[Jorhat]], Assam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.holidayiq.com/Lachit-Borphukans-Maidam-Jorhat-Sightseeing-808-15081.html |title=Lachit Borphukan's Maidam, Jorhat | Lachit Borphukan's Maidam Photos | Jorhat Tourist Places |publisher=Holidayiq.com |access-date=2013-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327014552/http://www.holidayiq.com/Lachit-Borphukans-Maidam-Jorhat-Sightseeing-808-15081.html |archive-date=27 March 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is 8 km far from the famous [[Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatinindia.com/node/690 |title=Lachit Borphukan's Maidam |publisher=greatinindia.com |date=2009-07-25 |access-date=2013-04-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144150/http://www.greatinindia.com/node/690 |archive-date=2014-04-13 }}</ref> Here last remains of Borphukan were laid under this tomb (Maidam) constructed by [[Swargadeo]] [[Udayaditya Singha]] in 1672.<ref name="Mitra2011">{{cite book|author=Swati Mitra|title=Assam Travel Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lNggfFifHL8C&pg=PA102|access-date=3 April 2013|year=2011|publisher=Goodearth Publications|isbn=978-93-80262-04-8|pages=102–|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704174451/http://books.google.com/books?id=lNggfFifHL8C&pg=PA102|archive-date=4 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Gallery ==

<gallery class="center" widths="120" heights="120px" perrow="5" style="border: 5px solid #a86; box-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.5em rgba(0,0,0,0.75); border-radius: 0.5em">

File:Lachit Bhawan at Lachit maidam.JPG|Lachit Bhawan inside Lachit maidam.
Image:Lachit Barphukan's maidam.JPG|Lachit Barphukan's maidam at Hoolungapara, [[Jorhat district|Jorhat]].
Image:NDA pics 014.jpg|Statue of Lachit Borphukan at [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] (NDA), [[Khadakwasla]].<ref name="hinduhumanrights1">{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduhumanrights.info/lachit-borphukan-a-great-unknown-son-of-sanatan-dharma/ |title=Lachit Borphukan : A great 'unknown' Son of Sanatan Dharma | Hindu Human Rights Online News Magazine |publisher=Hinduhumanrights.info |date=2012-06-10 |access-date=2013-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302161002/http://www.hinduhumanrights.info/lachit-borphukan-a-great-unknown-son-of-sanatan-dharma/ |archive-date=2 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
File:Lachit Borphukon's Statue near Church field, Tezpur.jpg|Lachit Borphukon's Statue near Church field, [[Tezpur]].

</gallery>

==Note==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
*{{citation
| first = S L
| last = Baruah
| title = A Comprehensive History of Assam
| year = 1986
| publisher = Munshiram Manoharlal
}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons-inline}}
{{Mughal Empire}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borphukan, Lachit}}
[[Category:1671 deaths]]
[[Category:People of the Ahom kingdom]]
[[Category:17th-century births]]
[[Category:17th-century Indian people]]
[[Category:Ahom kingdom]]

Lachit Borphukan - Revision history

Priyankasingh at 04:56, 18 March 2026

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