Lachit Borphukan: The Hero of Assam Who Defeated the Mughals

Prime Minister Pays Tribute to Lachit Borphukan on Lachit Diwas

Lachit Borphukan was a renowned military commander of the Ahom kingdom located in the Brahmaputra valley in eastern India. He led the Ahom forces to a decisive victory over the Mughal empire at the famous Battle of Saraighat in 1671. This battle took place on the banks of the Brahmaputra river near present-day Guwahati.

The Prime Minister of India recently paid tribute to Lachit Borphukan on November 24th, Lachit Diwas. Lachit Diwas is celebrated annually in the state of Assam on the date corresponding to Lachit’s birthday to recognize his contributions in defending the sovereignty of the Ahom kingdom against Mughal conquest.

Through his victory at Saraighat, Lachit Borphukan consolidated Ahom rule and ended Mughal ambitions to annex Assam into their empire. His leadership as army commander and tactical brilliance on the battlefield make him a revered figure in the history of Assam to this day.

The Prime Minister’s commemoration recognizes Lachit Borphukan’s enduring legacy as a fierce defender of his kingdom against imperial expansion from the more powerful Mughals. His example continues to inspire pride and patriotism in the Assamese people nearly 400 years later. The tribute brings national attention to a key figure celebrated regionally in Northeast India.

Early Life and Career

Lachit Borphukan was born in 1622 in Charaideu, Assam. His father was the commander-in-chief of the Ahom army at that time. He likely gained early exposure to military life through his father’s position in service of the Ahom kings.

Lachit Borphukan completed his education in humanities and military strategies. This background helped prepare him for military roles he would later undertake. His early career saw him take on various responsibilities within the Ahom kingdom’s armed forces and administration.

Lachit rose through the ranks while serving the Ahom kings in positions like Superintendent of the Royal Stables and Superintendent of the Royal Household Guards. His capabilities came to the attention of the Ahom ruler King Chakradhwaj Singha, who was facing encroachment by the Mughal Empire.

Recognizing the need for able military leadership, the king appointed Lachit as commander-in-chief of the Ahom army in 1667. This set the stage for Lachit to lead Ahom forces against the Mughals, culminating in his famous victory at Saraighat establishing full control over the Brahmaputra valley. Lachit’s early exposure to the military shaped his rise to prominence as the defender of Ahom sovereignty.

The Battle of Saraighat

The Battle of Saraighat took place in 1671 against the backdrop of the Ahom kingdom’s long-running conflicts with the Mughal Empire dating back to 1615. The Mughals were seeking to extend control over the Ahom territories in present-day Assam. By employing guerilla tactics, the Ahoms had withstood major Mughal invasions up to that point.

In 1667, the Ahom army under Lachit Borphukan regained control of Guwahati from Mughal occupation. However, this was short-lived as the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb dispatched a larger force in 1671 towards Guwahati commanded by Raja Ram Singh to defeat the Ahoms.

Lachit Borphukan once again led his Ahom army against the Mughals near Saraighat on the Brahmaputra river. Confronting a much larger force with technological superiority, Lachit leveraged guerilla tactics and faster movements by water to neutralize these Mughal advantages. His ingenious commanding of the naval Battle of Saraighat delivered a decisive Ahom victory.

This crushing defeat of Mughal ambitions in Assam consolidated the sovereignty of Ahom rule in the Brahmaputra valley which had been under threat. Lachit Borphukan’s leadership and generalship preserved the Ahom kingdom’s independence in one of the defining battles in medieval Indian history.

Death and Commemoration

Lachit Borphukan died about a year after leading the Assamese forces to victory at Saraighat in 1671, succumbing to illness he had battled for a long period. His remains were laid to rest with full state honors by Ahom King Udayaditya Singha at a memorial constructed at Hoolungapara near the kingdom’s capital. This site today houses a tomb and museum commemorating his life and achievements.

The legendary general may have passed away shortly after his greatest triumph, but his legacy endured in the Ahom kingdom and folklore. In 1999, the Governor of Assam declared November 24th as Lachit Diwas to be commemorated annually statewide. This date marks Lachit’s birthday as per the traditional calendar.

Lachit Diwas celebrations across Assam aim to promote and highlight Lachit Borphukan’s contributions to preserving Ahom rule and Assamese identity in the face of Mughal imperialism. The occasion keeps alive popular memory of the illustrious commander each year. His example has inspired many generations of regional military leaders over the centuries.

The Prime Minister’s tribute on Lachit Diwas indicates the national-level recognition this once regionally prominent figure has attained owing to the rediscovery of his military and leadership innovations against larger rivals.

Significance

Lachit Borphukan remains an enduring symbol of courage and patriotism for the people of Assam even today, nearly 400 years after his victory at Saraighat. By defending his homeland against better armed rivals, he embodied the virtues prized by a warrior class. Popular Assamese imagination and folklore highlight stories of his bravery against daunting odds.

As the commander who inflicted a crushing defeat on the Mughals, Lachit Borphukan achieved what is regarded as one of the greatest-ever military victories in medieval Indian warfare. Historians have noted that Ahom rule of Assam through 15th-18th centuries would have been unimaginable without Lachit’s leadership at a critical period when their sovereignty was under existential threat from the Mughal empire.

In recent decades, Lachit’s life and struggle have undergone renewed interest and appraisal. The Prime Minister’s tribute on Lachit Diwas recognizes his continuing legacy which holds special significance for the Assamese people he defended but has wider resonance too as a model of patriotic leadership. The occasion brought national attention to this stalwart from history who was once more prominent regionally.

Lachit Borphukan’s story illustrates how determined and ingenious leadership succeeding against overwhelming odds can become integral to construct regional and cultural identities.

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