Lachit Borphukan Biography

Lachit Borphukan - The Greatest Hero of Assam, India 

Lachit Borphukan is an invincible personality, a symbol of courage and struggle. In a word, Lachit Borphukan is the emotion of the Assamese nation, the pride of the Assamese people. Lachit Borphukan's courage and leadership vision still thrill heart of Assamese people. There is no way to imagine the courage, leadership and heroism of the Assamese nation without Lachit Borphukan. Lachit Borphukan's strong, selfless and visionary leadership reminds us of the might of the Assamese nation.

Who was Lachit Barphukan, the Great Hero of Indian History ?

Lachit Barphukan was a member of the Lan-Fima clan of the Lukhurakhan clan, a famous clan of the Ahom people with a history of six hundred years. There are many examples of these characters in the history books of Assam.

History of birth: Lachit Borphukan

Lachit Barphukan was the son of Momai Tamuli Barbarua, the first Barbarua of the Ahom kingdom and the founder of the Pike system ( A type of labor system of Ahom Kingdom of Assam or a method produce by the Ahom King to obtain service from the people and the Ahom king also provided service back to those people).  He was born on 24 November 1622 near the Ahom capital of Gargaon. Lachit Borphukan's mother's name was Kunti Moran.

Also Read : Famous Assamese Personality 

Early education: Lachit Borphukan

Lachit Borphukan began his early education at his home with the qualities of honesty, conscientiousness, discipline and candor. Lachit Borphukan was born into a royal family and received both military and civilian education. Lachit Borphukan's father hired a home teacher to educate him in Hindu religious ethics and economics. In addition, his father, Momai Tamuli Barbarua, held the post of Barbarua of the Ahom kingdom and Lachit Borphukan was able to gain knowledge on political, diplomatic, economic and social issues from the various discussions held at that time.

History of entry into the Ahom Rajsabha: Lachit Borphukan

Lachit Borphukan entered the politics of the Ahom kingdom by being appointed as the “Hanchtidhara Tamuli” of the Rajamantri. Lachit Borphukan  work as a personal assistant and later became the Borphukan and Commander-in-Chief of the Ahom Kingdom through his hard work and courage.

After serving as the “Hachtidhara Tamuli”, Lachit Borphukan was appointed to the post of Ghorabarua. ( Ghora means Horse in Assamese) While serving as a horseman, Lachit Borphukan showed his talent and courage by taking proper care of the horses and taming many great horses.

The Ahom king later appointed Lachit Borphukan to the post of Dulia Barua to fulfill his duties as Ghorabarua. Lachit Borphukan was later appointed as the Chief Officer of the Shimluguria Games. Lachit Borphukan, who served as the Shimluguria Fukan, was later appointed as the Dolakasaria Barua. Lachit Barphukan, who was appointed as the Dolakasaria Barua, was responsible for controlling the king's guards (Chaodang) when the king went to the Dola.

He was the chief commander of the Ahom kingdom 

Lachit Borphukan was a Dolakasaria Barua when Swargadeo Chakradhar Singh noticed his skills. Therefore, Chakradhar Singh, seeing the proof of Lachit Borphukan's fearlessness, courage and sense of self-respect, officially appointed him as the chief commander and Borphukan of the Ahom kingdom according to his dignity. It is important to note that Lachit Borphukan, whose father Momai Tamuli Barbarua was the first Barbarua of the Ahom kingdom and the initiator of the Pike system, held important positions in the Ahom Rajsabha , reflects enthusiasm, dedication, and courage.

In 1667, Lachit Borphukan led an attempt to save Guwahati and attacked the Mughals. It is important to note that the Ahom army flew the banner of victory on both the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra and captured the forts of Itakhuli and Guwahati at midnight on 2 November. It is important that a large number of Mughal soldiers lost their lives in this attack while Lachit Borphukan was able to rescue many Assamese soldiers captured by Mir Jumla in 1662 AD.

The role of the Battle of Alaboi: Lachit Barphukan

However, in February 1669, the Mughal army led by Ram Singh arrived in Assam to invade it. It is important to note that although the Ahom army was not fully prepared to fight the Mughals at that time, Lachit Barphukan was wisely prepared to face the danger. In 1969, the Battle of Alaboi took place between the Ahom and the Mughals. There are 10,000 Ahom soldiers who lost their lives in this battle on the same day. Lachit Barphukan was momentarily upset but tired during this difficult time.

The Battle of Saraighat

The most interesting topic is that, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sent 18,000 cavalry, 30,000 infantry and 15,000 chariot troops to invade Assam under the command of General Ram Singh. The Ahom general Lachit Borphukan built a fort around Saraighat to resist Ram Singh. He gave his uncle the responsibility of completing the fort within one night. According to sources, Lachit Borphukan's uncle neglected his duties and half of the construction of the fort was not completed by midnight. It is said that Lachit Borphukan beheaded his uncle for neglecting his duty during the country's crisis.

 

It is important to note that after the victory of the Mughal army at the Battle of Alaboi, Ram Singh was ready to launch a final attack on the Ahom army again on the orders of Aurangzeb. Unfortunately, the health of the Ahom general Lachit Borphukan was not stable at that time. Lachit Borphukan was ill. Lachit Borphukan was ready to face the Mughals in his sick body for the sake of the country. In March 1671, he fought against the Mughals and the Ahom army at Saraighat. It is important to note that the invading Mughal army was completely defeated in this historically famous Battle of Saraighat.

The Battle of Saraighat, led by Lachit Borphukan, was a landmark event in the history of Assam. The powerful leadership of Lachit Barphukan, who defeated the Mughal (the mighty Mughal forces), played an important role in enhancing the courage, power and dignity of the people of Assam. The way Lachit Barphukan engaged in a frontal battle with the Mughal army, showing an example of intelligence despite his sick body, is very commendable. It is important to note that Lachit Borphukan introduced the guerrilla warfare method for the first time by providing extensive strategic fuel.

Lachit Borphukan / The reason for celebrating Lachit Day

It is important to note that during the Mughal domination of the whole of India, the strong leadership of Lachit Borphukan was able to defeat the huge and powerful Mughal army. Lachit Borphukan, the Ahom general who won the Battle of Saraighat through his intelligence and courage, is celebrated every year as Lachit Day.

Death: Lachit Barphukan

Lachit Borphukan, who won the Battle of Saraighat with immense bravery and courage, died of a shivering fever a few days after the Battle of Saraighat. He died in 1672 and was buried at Holongapar in Jorhat, Assam.

Conclusion 

Lachit Borphukan is an evergreen figure for Assam History and people of Assam. The heroism of Lachit Borphukan, who captured the emotions and conscience of the Assamese, is a source of inspiration and ideal for the entire nation. Lachit Borphukan was a strong, selfless and visionary man who initiated revolutionary changes in Assamese society.

Lachit Borphukan's nationalism and patriotism will always flow in the blood of  Assamese people as long as the lives of Assamese nation.

FAQ -

Q - Why is Lachit Borphukan famous ?

Ans - Lachit Borphukan was the famous general of Ahom Kingdom of Assam who defeated Mughals.

Q - What is mother's name of Lachit Borphukan ?

Ans - Lachit Borphukan's mother's name was Kunti Moran.

Q - What is Lachit Borphukan's father name ?

Ans - Momai Tamuli Borbarua.

Q - When was Lachit Borphukan born ?

Ans - 24 November 1622.

Q- When did Lachit Borphukan died ?

Ans - Lachit Borphukan died on 25th April 1672.

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