Biography of Lachit Borphukan

If we open the Assam history and turn over the pages we can come to know that Lachit Borphukan is a symbol of the invincible personality, courage, and struggle. Lachit Borphukan’s strong, selfless and visionary leadership reminds us of the strong and mighty powers of the Assamese nation. The courage and velour of the Assamese nation cannot be imagined without Lachit Borphukan. Even today, the courage and foresight of leadership of Lachit Borphukan are thrilled in every Assamese mind. In one word, the sentiments of the Assamese nation, the self-esteem of Assamese people, is Lachit Borphukan.

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Read More: Lachit Borphukan Essay in Assamese 500 Words

Biography of Lachit Borphukan

Early life

Sukafa, who played an important role in making a kingdom covering seven kingdom, as one kingdom came to Assam as well as the ancestors of Lachit Borphukan, a symbol of indomitable courage came with Sukafa. Lachit Borphukan was from a large famous family named Lukhurakhan from Lan – fima family about 600 years of history in the mighty nation of Ahom’s. Though the exact information about Lachit Borphukan’s birth is not known he is said to have been born on November 24, 1622, Charaideo Assam, India, the capital of Ahom. His father’s name was Momai Tamuli Barbarua and his mother’s name was Nageshwari. Lachit Borphukan’s father Momai Tamuli Barbarua was the first Barbarua of the Ahom state and the founder of paik practices.

Lachit Borphukan, who possessed qualities such as honesty, duty, discipline, charity from his childhood, started his early education at his own residence. As a source of birth in the royal family, he had to master both military and civil education. Borphukan’s father Momai Tamuli Barbarua appointed a domestic teacher to make Lachit Borphukan a mark with proper education and educated him in the subjects of Ahom Scriptures, Hindu Religion, economics etc. Momai Tamuli Barbarua was also holding the post of Borbarua in the state of Ahom, and due to remaining in power he also learnt weaponry as well as other military education in parallel with his ability to gain knowledge on political, diplomatic, economic, social issues, etc. from various discussions discussed at that time.

Also Read: Biography of Swami Vivekananda

Career

As his father Momai Tamuli Barbarua is the first Barbaruah of the Ahom’s and founder of Paik practice, Lachit Borphukan did not hold important positions in the Ahom court. Instead, it was because of his own teachings, courage and suffering that he took over as the Borphukan and Commander-in-Chief of the Kingdom of Ahom. Lachit Borphukan on the contrary was appointed to the post of ‘Hanstidhara Tamuli’ by the then minister of state while he first held the post of commander of the state of Ahom. He entered the politics of Ahom state for the first time by holding this post at the level of personal assistant. He was subsequently next appointed in the position of ‘Ghura Baruah.’ While serving in the post as a Ghura Baruah, Lachit Borphukan introduced his talent and bravery by not only overseeing the horses properly but also by subduing many great/formidable horses.

Ahom Raja subsequently appointed Lachit Borphukan as ‘Dulia Baruah’ for completing the task of the post of ‘Ghura Baruah’ smoothly. Next he was subsequently appointed as the chief officer of Shimaluguria games in the post of Shimaluguria Phukan. Borphukan, who served as Shimaluguria Phukan, was subsequently appointed as a ‘Dulakasharia Baruah.’ Lachit Borphukan, who was appointed as a Dulakasharia Baruah, had the task of controlling the king’s pali-paharia (Sawdang) while king was taken in Dula.

While he was holding the post of Dulkasharia Baruah, Swargadeuw Chakradhwaj Singha got to know about the skills of Lachit Borphukan. For which Chakradhwaj Singha formally appointed as Commander-in-Chief and Borphukan of the State of Ahom as per his status by looking at evidence of Borphukan’s fearlessness, bravery and self-esteem. From being appointed as the ‘Hanstidhara Tamuli’ to being appointed as the ‘Commander-in-Chief and ‘Borphukan’ of the State of Ahom, this long period reflects the concentration, work, duty, bravery of Lachit Borphukan.

Importantly, during the reign of Swargadeuw Jayadhwaj Singha, in 1662 AD, the Army of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb invaded Assam under the leadership of Mirjumla and included the state of Ahom as a Tax-based state. Jayadhwaj Singha tried to regain the independence of Assam at that time but could not succeed. After the death of late Jayadhwaj Singha, Swargadeuw Chakradhwaj Singha took up efforts to salvage the glory of the past. And that is why Lachit Borphukan was entrusted with the responsibility of Senapati(general) by searching for a qualified Senapati(general).

Lachit Borphukan took over as Senapati(general) and focused on organizing the country’s soldiers. Later in 1667, he led the way and launched an effort to rescue Guwahati and attacked the Mughals. Importantly, in this attack, Ahom soldiers flew Vijaydhwaja on both the north and south of the Brahmaputra and the Ahom soldiers occupied Itakhuli and Guwahati forts at midnight on November 2,1667. Importantly, a large number of Mughal soldiers laid down their lives in the attack, while Lachit Borphukan was able to rescue a large number of Assamese soldiers captured in 1662 AD by Mirjumla.

But in February 1669 AD Mughal troops led by Ram Singh came to Assam to attack Assam. Importantly, the Ahom army was not fully prepared at that time to join the Mughals but Lachit Borphukan was wisely ready to face potential dangers. In 1969 Alabai Ran was ran between Ahom and the Mughals. It may be recalled that ten thousand Soldiers of Ahom died on the same day in this war. At this time though Lachit Borphukan was momentarily upset but he was not tired.

Importantly, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb sent 18,000 cavalry, 30,000 infantry and 15,000 card soldiers to attack Assam under the leadership of General Ram Singh to attack Assam. Ahom general Lachit Borphukan on the other hand built a room around Saraighat to catch Ram Singh. Within an overnight the responsibility was entrusted to his uncle of completing the construction of average. According to some persons his uncle neglected his duty due to which half of the average construction work was not completed till midnight. It is in vogue that for dereliction of duty during the country’s crisis Lachit Borphukan is said to behead his uncle as he neglected his duty, Lachit Borphukan said that “Dekhot k Momai Dangor Nhoi” (“Uncle is not bigger than the Country”) and he beheaded his uncle’s head. On the other hand, according to some other persons, Lachit Borphukan was said to behead the average engineer, who was killed for dereliction of duty.

Importantly, Ram Singh was ready at Aurangzeb’s behest to launch a final attack on the Ahom army again after the Mughal army won the Alabai Ran. Unfortunately, however, Ahom general Borphukan’s health was not stable at that time, and he was suffering from illness. Nevertheless, because of country’s interest, despite being sick he was ready to face the Mughals. In 1671 AD, in the month of March Mughal’s and Ahom’s, the front was engaged in war in Saraighat. Importantly in this history the attackers Mughal army completely lost in the ‘Battle of Saraighat.’

Led by Lachit Borphukan, this Saraighat War is a event with golden letters of Assam’s history. The Lachit Borphukan’s leadership, which defeated the great mighty Mughal power, played an important role in significantly enhancing the velour and dignity of the people of Assam. The way he engaged in front of the Mughal army, despite being not stable but with his intelligence, is admirable. Importantly he introduced ‘Guerrilla Warfare’ methods for the first time by providing extensive fuel to the strategic field.

Lachit Borphukan, who won the Saraighat War with his bravery and courage, died a few days after the Saraighat War. The hero who died in 1672 was berried at Holongapar in Jorhat. 

Importantly, the birth anniversary of Ahom general(Senapati) Lachit Borphukan, who won the Saraighat War through intelligence and courage, is celebrated every year as Lachit Diwas. Lachit Borphukan is a evergreen reality for Assam and the Assamese. Lachit Borphukan’s nationalism, patriotism will always flow in Assamese blood till Assamese nation survives.

Lachit Borphukan, who managed to chase the Mughals with the Hangdang and tied the average on the same night, still evokes a thrill in the lives of every Assamese. Importantly, Lachit Borphukan’s strong leadership managed to defeat the vast and powerful Mughals, While the Mughals dominated the whole of India.

Conclusion

With the history of a heroic like Lachit Borphukan, the Assamese nation is always rich. Assamese emotions, conscience are all occupied, Lachit Borphukan’s valour is a source of ideal and inspiration for the entire nation. Lachit Borphukan’s strong, selfless, visionary leadership ushered in a landmark change in Assamese society. For the Assamese northern generation, Lachit Borphukan will always be a symbol of invincible personality, courage and struggle.

FAQ

1. When and where was Lachit Borphukan born?

Ans: Lachit Borphukan was born in 24 November 1622 at Charaideo, Assam India.

2. Who was Lachit Borphukan’s father?

Ans: Momai Tamuli Borbarua.

3. When and between whom Alabai Ran was ran between?

Ans: In 1969 Alabai Ran was ran between Ahom and Mughals.

4. When did the Battle of Saraighat took place and between whom?

Ans: The Battle of Saraighat took place in 1671 between the Mughal Empire (led by Raja Ram Singh I) and the Ahom Kingdom (led by Lachit Borphukan).

5. Where did the Saraighat War took place?

Ans: Saraighat War took place on the Brahmaputra river at Saraighat, now in Guwahati, Assam, India.

6. When do we celebrate Lachit Diwas?

Ans: The birth anniversary of Ahom general(Senapati) Lachit Borphukan, who won the Saraighat War through intelligence and courage, is celebrated every year as Lachit Diwas i.e. on 24th of November every year.

Dev Kirtonia

Hi, I’m Dev Kirtonia, Founder & CEO of Dev Library. A website that provides all SCERT, NCERT 3 to 12, and BA, B.com, B.Sc, and Computer Science with Post Graduate Notes & Suggestions, Novel, eBooks, Biography, Quotes, Study Materials, and more.