LACHIT BORPUKHAN
- Lachit Borphukan (1622–1672) was a legendary military commander of the Ahom Kingdom, celebrated for his leadership and strategic acumen in defending Assam from Mughal invasions.
- His most notable achievement was leading the Ahom forces to victory in the Battle of Saraighat (1671), where he thwarted the Mughal army, commanded by Raja Ramsingh I, from reclaiming Assam.
- This battle is remembered as a landmark in Indian military history for its display of guerrilla tactics and naval warfare on the Brahmaputra River.
- Born on November 24, 1622, Lachit was the son of Momai Tamuli Barbarua, a prominent administrator and warrior of the Ahom Kingdom.
- He was appointed by King Charadhwaj Singha as one of the five Borphukans, a prestigious position that combined administrative, judicial, and military responsibilities.
- Lachit's dedication to his duties and his patriotism are exemplified in the story of how he executed his uncle for neglecting his responsibilities during the construction of a crucial defensive rampart.
- His unwavering commitment earned him immense respect and has made him a symbol of Assamese pride and valor.
- Every year on November 24, Lachit Divas is observed in Assam to honor his legacy
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From 1615 to 1682, the Mughal Empire, led by Jahangir and later Aurangzeb, launched several campaigns to conquer the Ahom kingdom. In January 1662, Mir Jumla, the Governor of Bengal, led Mughal forces in a campaign that resulted in the occupation of parts of Ahom territory.
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Between 1667 and 1682, the Ahoms, under successive rulers beginning with Chakradhwaj Singha (reigning from 1663 to 1670), mounted a determined counter-offensive to recover their lost lands.
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In 1669, Aurangzeb tasked Raja Ram Singh I with regaining the territories reclaimed by the Ahoms. This led to the Battle of Alaboi on August 5, 1669, fought in the Alaboi Hills near Dadara in North Guwahati.
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Unlike the Mughals, who favored open-field battles, Lachit Borphukan used his deep understanding of the terrain to employ guerrilla tactics. These strategies enabled his smaller, more agile forces to outmaneuver the Mughal army.
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Similar to Shivaji’s tactics against the Mughals in Marathwada, Lachit struck the enemy through surprise raids, targeting their camps and static positions. These assaults caused significant casualties among unsuspecting Mughal troops and disrupted their operations.
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After initial setbacks, Ram Singh deployed his elite Rajput and Mughal veterans, which shifted the momentum of the Battle of Alaboi. Approximately 10,000 Ahom soldiers lost their lives, as per Assam’s archaeological records.
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Unlike in Alaboi, where Lachit was forced into a land battle, he strategically lured the Mughals into a naval engagement during the Battle of Saraighat. As a skilled naval commander, he orchestrated a series of surprise pincer movements to outflank and overpower the Mughal fleet.
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Historian H.K. Barpujari noted that the Ahom forces combined frontal assaults with surprise rear attacks. They deceived the Mughal fleet by feigning an attack from the front, prompting the Mughals to leave their rear vulnerable, allowing the main Ahom fleet to secure a decisive victory.
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Lachit succumbed to a chronic illness a year after the Battle of Saraighat. Despite his poor health during the battle, he led his troops to triumph, further solidifying his legendary status.
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The Battle of Saraighat cemented Lachit Borphukan’s reputation as a brilliant strategist, earning comparisons with India’s greatest military leaders. To honor his legacy, the Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal, established in 1999, is awarded to the best cadet at the National Defence Academy
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For Prelims: Anglo-Burmese War, Treaty of Yandabo
For Mains: Anglo-Burmese Wars as part of Colonial Expansion, Role of treaties like Yandabo in consolidating British control over new territories
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