LACHIT BORPHUKAN (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India paid tributes to Lachit Borphukan on Lachit Diwas.

Lachit Borphukan

• Born Year: 24 November 1622
• Family: His father Momai Tamuli Borbarua was the commander-in-chief of the Ahom army.
• Role in Ahom Kingdom: Lachit Borphukan served as a commander and councilor in the Ahom Kingdom.
• The Ahom Kingdom, enduring over 600 years, valiantly resisted multiple invasions by the Mughal Empire in present-day Assam.
• Ahom-Mughal Conflicts: In 1615, the Ahom Dynasty encountered its first significant clash with the Mughal Empire, which eventually led to the Mughals conquering the Ahom capital of Garhgaon in 1662.
• Triumph at Saraighat: During the pivotal battle of Saraighat in 1671, under the leadership of Lachit Borphukan, the Ahoms successfully repelled the Mughals, marking a turning point in the conflict.
• Borphukan's Leadership: Lachit Borphukan is chiefly celebrated for his leadership during the Battle of Saraighat.
• End of Mughal Influence: By 1682, the Ahoms, led by Borphukan, completely eradicated Mughal influence in the region, securing a lasting victory.

Battle of Saraighat

• About: The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle fought in 1671 between the Mughal Empire and the Ahom Kingdom on the Brahmaputra river at Saraighat.
• It was the last battle in the last major attempt by the Mughals to extend their empire into Assam.

Ahom Kingdom

• Establishment: The Ahom dynasty, with a rich history spanning nearly 600 years, was first established in 1228.
• Prosperous Kingdom: This multi-ethnic kingdom flourished across the upper and lower Brahmaputra valley, relying on rice cultivation in its fertile lands for sustenance.
• Conflicts with the Mughals: Engaging in a series of conflicts with the Mughals, the Ahoms faced challenges from 1615 to 1682, spanning the reigns of Jahangir to Aurangzeb.