Lachit Borphukan

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Lachit Borphukan
Lachit Barphukan's maidam2.JPG
Lachit Barphukan's Statue at Jorhat, Assam, India.
Born(1622-11-24)24 November 1622
Charaideo, Assam, India
Died25 April 1672(1672-04-25) (aged 49)
Jorhat, Assam, India
AllegianceAhom kingdom
RankBorphukan and Commander-in-Chief of the Ahom army
Battles/warsBattle of Alaboi, Lead the Ahom army to decisive victory in 1671 Battle of Saraighat

Lachit Borphukan (24 November 1622 - 25 April 1672) was a commander and Borphukan, in the Ahom kingdom,[1] located in present-day Assam, India, known for his leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat that thwarted a drawn-out attempt by Mughal forces under the command of Ramsingh I to take over Ahom kingdom.[2][3] He died about a year later due to illness.[4]

Biography[edit]

Lachit Borphukan was the youngest son of Momai Tamuli Borbarua, the first Borbarua of upper-Assam and Commander-in-Chief of the Ahom army) under King Pratap Singha.[5] He was born in Charaideo to a Ahom family.[6] He was chosen as Borphukan by Chakradhwaj Singha .

Battle of Saraighat[edit]

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.[7][8]

Ram Singh, the 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 camp, which eventually reached the Ahom king, Chakradhwaj Singha.[9] 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.

Lachit Borphukan was victorious and the Mughals were forced to retreat from Guwahati.[10]

Legacy[edit]

Lachit bust at National Defense Academy.

Lachit Divas[edit]

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.[11]

Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal (Best Cadet of NDA)[edit]

The best passing out cadet of National Defence Academy is conferred the Lachit Borphukan gold medal every year from 1999.[12][13]


Mahabir Lachit Award[edit]

An award is presented to notable personalities of Assam by Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad (TAYPA).[14]

Lachit Borphukan's Maidam[edit]

Lachit Borphukan's Maidam was constructed in memory of Lachit Borphukan at Jorhat, Assam.[15] It is 8 km far from the famous Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary.[16] Here last remains of Borphukan were laid under this tomb (Maidam) constructed by Swargadeo Udayaditya Singha in 1672.[17]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Nitul Kumar Gogoi (2006). Continuity and Change Among the Ahom. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 65–. ISBN 978-81-8069-281-9. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Lachit Borphukan : A great 'unknown' Son of Sanatan Dharma | Hindu Human Rights Online News Magazine". Hinduhumanrights.info. 10 June 2012. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  3. "Lachit Barphukan: An Assamese war hero and new Hindutva icon". Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  4. "Is it wrong to be proactive?". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  5. (Baruah 1986:270)
  6. Bhuyan, S K (1947). Lachit Barphukan and His Times. Guwahati: Lawyer's Book Stall.
  7. "» Remembering our Heroes – Lachit Barphukan & the Battle of Saraighat ". Satyameva Jayate. Archived from the original on 4 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  8. Rashmi Sarmah. "Remembering the Great Lachit Barphukan of Assam – the Hero of Saraighat Battle". Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  9. "Lachit Borphukan: saluting the redoubtable General of Assam". Mail-archive.com. 24 November 2002. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  10. Gurmeet Kanwal (2000). Defenders of the Dawn: A Panorama of Eastern Command. Lancer Publishers. pp. 40–. ISBN 978-81-7062-279-6. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  11. TI Trade (25 November 2010). "The Assam Tribune Online". Assamtribune.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  12. "Lachit Borphukan gold medal award: NDA ideal platform for grooming of cadets: Gogoi - Regional | News Post". Newslivetv.com. 18 February 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  13. "The Sentinel". Sentinelassam.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  14. "Lachit Award posthumously to Jintu Gogoi". Assam Tribune. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  15. "Lachit Borphukan's Maidam, Jorhat | Lachit Borphukan's Maidam Photos | Jorhat Tourist Places". Holidayiq.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  16. "Lachit Borphukan's Maidam". greatinindia.com. 25 July 2009. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  17. Swati Mitra (2011). Assam Travel Guide. Goodearth Publications. pp. 102–. ISBN 978-93-80262-04-8. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2013.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Baruah, S L (1986), A Comprehensive History of Assam, Munshiram Manoharlal

External links[edit]

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