BIR LACHIT BORPHUKAN- THE UNSUNG HERO

                                               BIR LACHIT BORPHUKAN- THE UNSUNG HERO

The great army general Lachit Borphukan was born on 24^th November 1622 AD. He was the son of great statesman of Ahom Kingdom,  Mamai Tamuli Baruah . Lachit was grow up in the midest of Ahom and Mughal conflict which was began in 1615 AD and continued till 1671 AD . Though Lachit Borphukan was known for his victory at Saraighat battle against mighty Mughal in 1671, but also he was a great warrior having excellent quality of judgment, leadership and diplomatic skill. Therefore, his commitment to patriosim has been compared with Lord Nelson and Wellington of England ,  Maharana Pratap of Rajasthan,  Shivaji of Maharastra.

Before, Lachit Baruah appointed as a commander of the Ahom army , he had served as the Soladhorabaruah( scarf –bearer), thereafter ,he was appointed as superintendent of the stable of royal horse and superintendent of Royal Household guards. Finally, by dint of his hard labour, he was appointed as Commander of Ahom army to fight against Mughal and restore Ahom honour which was lose due to Ghilajhary treaty in 1663 AD.

After Assumed the charge of commander of Ahom army, Lachit Baruah, without much delay , he had concentrated the reorganization of Ahom army with training both cavalry, navy arrange arms & ammunition and fortification. After completion of all preparation Lachit  Baruah attacked  Mughal camp in 1667 AD and push back Mughal army up to Manash river.

These success of Ahom army under the leadership of Lachit Baruah, Ahom king  Chakradhawaj Singha overjoyed and declared Guwahati was the head quarter for Lower Assam administration and Lachit  Baruah was given authority and conferred Borphukan title.  From this time Lachit Baruah was known as Lachit Borphukan.

However, Mighty Mughal again attacked Ahom kingdom under the leadership of Raja Ram Singh in 1669 at Alboi. Though Ahom army encountered heavy loss and causalities at Alboi Battle , but Lachit Borphukan rebuilding themselves vigorously and guided Ahom army. In spite of his ill health, he had fight extraordinarily and defeated Mughal in the final battle at Saraighat in 1671 AD. But he had not able to enjoy of the victory of Saraighat battle and died on 25^th April 1672 AD , and his remains lies in rest at Lachit Borphukan Maidam at Holongapar in Jorhat District

                However, This legendary  Ahom general was not much mentioned at national context  as like Shivaji , Maharana Pratap, and his committed patriotism was   only confined with limited text book in state level . It was the year 1999, when army general V P Mallik announced to give gold medal to the best pass out cadet  in the name of Bir Lachit Borphukan to inspire defence personel to emulate Borphukan heroism and sacrifices. Although, 24^th November each year , Lachit divas has been  celebrating  in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the assameses army at the battle of Saraighat , but it will be more effective to tribute this legendary general of Ahom kingdom if his heroism and sacrifice properly coded in primary to higher level  text book , encourage more  research in his life , provide  national and international fellowship at university and other higher institutions , encourage documentary or full fledged film on his life and achievement , then it will be a real tribute of his 400^th birth anniversary.