Lachit Borphukan
Lachit Borphukan was a 17th century military leader and commander of the Ahom kingdom in present-day Assam. He is considered one of the greatest military leaders in Indian history, known for his valor, tactical brilliance, and leadership skills.
Lachit Borphukan was born in 1622 in the Ahom kingdom. He was the eldest son of Momai Tamuli Borbarua, who was a high-ranking official in the Ahom court. Lachit Borphukan was trained in the art of war and strategy from an early age.
It is said that Lachit Borphukan was a brave and courageous young man who was known for his physical strength and stamina. He was also known for his intelligence and strategic thinking, which served him well in his future military career.
During his childhood, Lachit Borphukan grew up in a time of political turmoil and instability in the Ahom kingdom. The Mughal Empire was expanding its control over the region and many neighboring kingdoms were falling under Mughal rule. He is most famous for his role in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, where he led the Ahom forces to a decisive victory against the Mughals.
The Battle of Saraighat was a military engagement fought between the Mughal Empire and the Ahom Kingdom in 1671. It took place near the Saraighat area on the Brahmaputra River in present-day Assam, India. The battle was a turning point in the struggle for control of Assam and marked the beginning of the end of Mughal expansion in the region.
The Mughals, under the command of Raja Ramsingh, were attempting to expand their control over the Ahom kingdom and had begun building a fort near Saraighat to secure their position. The Ahom king, Chakradhwaj Singha, appointed Lachit Borphukan as the commander of the Ahom army to lead the resistance against the Mughals.
The Ahom army, under the leadership of Lachit Borphukan, was outnumbered and outgunned by the Mughals, but they used their knowledge of the local terrain and guerrilla tactics to their advantage. They targeted the Mughal's supply lines, causing shortages and weakening their position.
In the final battle, the Ahom army launched a surprise attack on the Mughal camp and were able to capture their artillery. This dealt a severe blow to the Mughals and they were ultimately forced to retreat. The Ahom army pursued the Mughals and inflicted heavy losses on them, effectively ending Mughal ambitions in the region.
The Battle of Saraighat was a significant victory for the Ahom kingdom and marked the beginning of the end of Mughal expansion in the region. Lachit Borphukan's leadership and tactics were key to the Ahom's success in the battle, and he is credited with saving the kingdom from Mughal domination. The battle also demonstrated the valor and tactical brilliance of the Ahom army and is remembered as one of the most significant military engagements in Indian history.
Lachit Borphukan died in 1672, just a year after the Battle of Saraighat, it is believed that he died of illness and his death was a great loss to the Ahom kingdom. His death was deeply mourned by the people of Assam and his legacy continues to be celebrated and remembered in the region today.
Practice Test Exam