Lachit Borphukan : The Undaunted Warrior

In the seventeenth century, when the Mughals were at the height of their power in Northern India, they suffered a crushing defeat in the state of Assam in the northeastern corner of the country. In 1667, led by commander Lachit Barphakan Ahom expelled the Mughals from Guwahati and constructed extensive fortifications in preparation for an offensive and defensive war.

Aurangzeb dispatched Raja Ram of Ambar to teach the a lesson. The Ahom Assamese a army suffered a disastrous defeat at Alaboi. Lachit Barphukan was ailing and it appeared that all was lost. The Aboms began to retreat from Guwahati via the river Brahmaputra. Bet ill health notwithstanding Lachit Barphukan snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. To the surprise of his country men and the enemy alike, he sailed into midst of the enemy fleet, even picking up and throwing his own boatman into the river for attempting to retreat. The sight of their ailing commander inspired his men to fight with renewed vigour and at the Battle of Saraighat the Mughals were routed. Raja Ram Singh was astounded and said that blessed was the land that had such heroes and a general who commanded not only the navy, but also the army and cavalry.

Stories abound about his beheading his own maternal uncle for dereliction of duty during the prelude to war when Guwahati was being fortified. He is said to have declared: “My uncle is not greater than my country.” Yet this great hero is scarcely known outside the boundaries of Assam today. While most Indians have heard of  Chhatrapati Shivaji they are ignorant about General Lachit Barphukan of Assam. This book it is hoped will be successful in introducing General Lachit Barphukan to the people of the rest of India in particular and the world at large.

Author : Dr. Indrani Medhi