Lachit Borphukan: An Unsung Hero of Sanatana Hindu Dharma

India is a proud mother of many brave and valiant sons. It is her soil and air that creates valiant heroes who nourish the rich history of the country from the ancient time till today. Indian history is always affected by invaders and the struggle of the brave hearts of the soil to rescue the motherland from the foreigners. The legend of Lachit Borphukan is also remembered for such a brave cause in the history of Indian civilization. While the other part of India remembers Shivaji, the Great or Subhas Chandra Bose, the North-East boasts to have Lachit Borphukan. So, as the title suggests, he was a lion with the valor, courage and war tactics.

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Life History of ‘The Lion’- Lachit Borphukan

Lachit Borphukan was the son of Momai Tamuli Borbarua. Having an education in humanities, military skills and scriptures, he was the Commander-in-chief of the troops of Assam. His regiment was known as the Ahom army. Under the battalion of King Chakradhwaj, he led the army to banish the Mughals from capturing Assam under their territory.

Battle of Saraighat – The Ultimate Victory

It was in the middle of the year 1600, when the glorious sun of the Mughal Empire started to lose its brightness. Continuous confliction with the subjects and absurd religious proclamations was making them the villain into the eyes of the countrymen. Various revolutions and struggles were taking place throughout the country, but the ruthless tyranny of the Mughals, still, were enough to strangle them. From the ashes of such revolution, a phoenix was born. It was Lachit Borphukan who acquired the magnificent victory against the massive Mughal army in the Battle of Saraighat in 1672. It was his valor that led the Assamese warrior to drive the Mughal force away from the land of Assam. King Chakradhwaj chose Lachit Borphukan to lead the army against the Mughals at Guwahati. He honoured his Commander-in-chief with a gold-hafted sword (popularly known as Hengdang), the equipments of distinction.

But, how did the vivid victory come at the hands of the Assamese army? It’s a story of David vs. Goliath. The huge Mughal army attacked under the supervision of Raja Ram Singh 1 and in opposition, the Ahom army was weaker in numbers. The battle was fought on the Brahmaputra River at Saraighat in Guwahati. But the number did not matter as Lachit Borphukan and his troops were tremendously skilled and trained in the war business. With the radiant use of Assamese land, guerilla attacks, diplomatic moves, psychological turns and military exuberance of defeating the Mughal’s weakest point, the Navy, not only the brave warrior showed his courage but also performed his duties towards his motherland. History says that at one point the Ahom army got frustrated and wanted to retreat. It was Lachit Borphukan who wanted to fight all alone to show obedience towards the King’s order. His fearless speech soon encouraged his battalion and they fought at the cost of their lives.

Remembrance of Great Warrior

It will be very degrading situation if the future generation doesn’t remember such courageous person. On his memory, the Indian Army and the Assam Government have inaugurated some token of respect-

Lachit Divas- the Assam Government has declared the 24th November as the ‘Lachit Divas’ to show respect to the national hero and the vigorous victory at Saraighat.

Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal- the best cadet who passes out from the National Defence Academy is bestowed with the Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal. This admiration to the best cadet was instituted by the Assam Government to illustrate the reminiscence of Lachit Borphukan.

Lachit Borphukan’s Maidam- at the memory of Lachit Borphukan, this maidam was built to keep his last remnants in the tomb. This tombstone was situated by Swargadeo Udayaditya Singha in the year 1672. It is established in Gohain-gaon of Meleng-Hollongapar, Jorhat in Assam.

More on the Brave Heart

People may forget many things, but history stores everything under its palm. Lachit Borphukan is such a character. Death came to him after a year of the battle. His indomitable nature brought a legendary victory for the Assamese. The defeat in the battle of Saraighat came as the first bolt on the Mughal Empire. The disputes and weaknesses became prominent and it was headed to the great fall. Defeating the large Mughal army with a weaker battalion also mesmerized the Mughal General Ram Sing 1 and he admitted that he found no flaws in the way Lachit Borphukan himself had driven his whole army in the war. As history teaches the way of life, it will be brilliant if the future generation learns from his bravery, dedication towards responsibilities and never lose hope and retreat whatever the situation is, then one can show appropriate respect to the man of golden heart.