Lachit Borphukan

Lachit Borphukan or (Lachit Phu-Kan-Lung in Tai Ahom)
লাচিত বৰফুকন

Lachit Barphukan's Statue at Jorhat
Born Lachit Phu-Kan-Lung
Nationality Indian
Ethnicity Tai Ahom
Known for Bravery
Notable work 1671 battle against Mughals
Religion Hinduism

Lachit Borphukan (Assamese: লাচিত বৰফুকন ) was a commander and Borphukan in the Ahom kingdom 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 back Kamrup.[1][2] He died about a year later due to illness.[3]

Biography

Lachit Borphukan was the son of Momai Tamuli Borbarua, the first Borbarua (or "Governor") of upper-Assam and Commander-in-Chief of the Ahom army) under Prataap Singha. Lachit Borphukan was educated in the humanities, Hindu and indigenous Indian scripture 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 Chakradhwaj Singha.

King Chakradhwaj Singha selected Lachit Borphukan to lead the forces of the Kingdom of Ahom to liberate Guwahati from Mughal-occupation.[4] 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:

"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 article: Battle of Saraighat

After being defeated by Lachit and his forces, the Mughals army and 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.[5][6]

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.[7] Although the king started to doubt Lachit's sincerity and patriotism, his prime minister Atan Buragohain convince the King this was just a trick against Lachit.

During the last stage of the Battle of Saraighat, when the 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 Barphukan was victorious. The Mughals were forced to retreat from Guwahati.[8] The Mughal Commander-in-Chief, acknowledging his defeat by the Ahom soldiers and their Commander-in-chief Lachit Barphukan, wrote, "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

Lachit Bust at National Defense Academy

Lachit Divas

On 24 November each year Lachit Divas (Lachit Day) is celebrated statewide in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the Assamese army at the Battle of Saraighat.[9][10]

Lachit Borphukan gold medal

The best passing out cadet of National Defence Academy is conferred the Lachit Borphukan gold medal. It was instituted by the Assam Government in May 2000 to perpetuate the memory of Lachit Borphukan.[11][12] Battalion Cadet Adjutant Aaditya Udupa, 126th NDA Course,was awarded the medal for the Spring Term 2014 on 28 May 2014.

Lachit Borphukan's Maidam

Lachit Borphukan's Maidam was constructed in memory of Lachit Borphukan at Gohain gaon of Meleng-Hulungapar. Jorhat, Assam.[13] It is 8 km far from the famous Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary.[14] Here last remains of Borphukan were laid under this tomb (Maidam) constructed by Swargadeo Udayaditya Singha in 1672.[15]

See also

Gallery

  1. ^ "Lachit Borphukan : A great 'unknown' Son of Sanatan Dharma | Hindu Human Rights Online News Magazine". Hinduhumanrights.info. 2012-06-10. Retrieved 2013-04-03. 

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ "Lachit Barphukan: An Assamese war hero and new Hindutva icon".
  3. ↑ "'Is it wrong to be proactive?'". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  4. ↑ Bhuyan, S K (1947). Lachit Barphukan and His Times. Guwahati: Lawyer's Book Stall.
  5. ↑ "» Remembering our Heroes – Lachit Barphukan & the Battle of Saraighat .". Satyameva Jayate. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  6. ↑ Rashmi Sarmah. "Remembering the Great Lachit Barphukan of Assam – the Hero of Saraighat Battle". Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Lachit Borphukan: saluting the redoubtable General of Assam". Mail-archive.com. 2002-11-24. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ "Lachit Divas observed across Assam". Newslivetv.org. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  10. ↑ TI Trade (2010-11-25). "The Assam Tribune Online". Assamtribune.com. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  11. ↑ "Lachit Borphukan gold medal award: NDA ideal platform for grooming of cadets: Gogoi - Regional | News Post". Newslivetv.com. 2013-02-18. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  12. ↑ "The Sentinel". Sentinelassam.com. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  13. ↑ "Lachit Borphukan's Maidam, Jorhat | Lachit Borphukan's Maidam Photos | Jorhat Tourist Places". Holidayiq.com. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  14. ↑ "Lachit Borphukan's Maidam". greatinindia.com. 2009-07-25. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  15. ↑ Swati Mitra (2011). Assam Travel Guide. Goodearth Publications. pp. 102–. ISBN 978-93-80262-04-8. Retrieved 3 April 2013.

External links

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