Author: Ranabir Bhattacharyya
Publication: Myind.net
Date: November 28, 2017
URL:   https://www.myind.net/Home/viewArticle/lachit-borphukan-the-warrior-who-led-the-war-against-mughals-in-north-east-india/

Since 1947, in most Indian states, distorted history has been taught with various misconceptions and prejudices. Thus, seldom the history books mention freedom fighters from the states like Odisha or Bihar or those from the North East. Eventually, students of schools from the remotest corners of the country are simply deprived from knowing the legendary fighters and martyrs of the country. Even while elaborating history from the Mughal era, the English historians, the 'genetic' forefathers of our History books have categorically 'missed out' on the stalwarts or pillars of fierce struggle against the Mughal rule.

Any rigorous study on Indian history is incomplete without the mentioning of Lachit Borphukan - a man who made his life a mission to safeguard the North East corner of India from the ever-aggressive Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. It is this passionate patriot who once said amidst the great battle of Saraighat, “When my countrymen are suffering from invasion, and when my army is fighting and sacrificing its life, how can I think about resting my body due to a mere illness? How can I think about going home to my wife and children when my entire country is in trouble?”

Students of secondary and higher secondary schools are often asked to write in details on the reasons behind the downfall of the Mughals. Any such discussion will definitely mention the 'Battle of Saraighat'. Lachit Borphukan, an army general from Assam was the man who led from the front against the Mughals in the Battle of Saraighat. At that time, the Mughals were hell bent on expanding their kingdom to the North Eastern Frontier of India. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was well aware of the history of stiff opposition in the North East. The history of the Ahoms clearly indicates that they have been fiercely competitive, even from the time of Muhammad Ghori. In spite of their weaknesses, the Mughals were real threat to any power centre in the country. Most surprisingly and probably making one of the biggest upsets in the history of open warfare, the Ahom Army defeated the Mughal Army where they made excellent use of the terrain along with diplomatic negotiations alongside guerilla tactics and military intelligence.

It was Lachit Borphukan who spearheaded the Ahom attack. A true patriot and son of the soil, he didn't hesitate to behead his own uncle for the sake of his motherland. His epic dialogue has become an immortal one in the history of freedom struggle: "My uncle is not greater than my country". Unlike the Bengal revolutionaries, who were much connected and well informed, Lachit Borphukan's battle was indeed a tougher one. The way he maneuvered with only seven boats amidst illness and advanced against the Mughal fleet, was no mean achievement either. The King Chakradhwaj Singha presented him a sword with a gold handle called Hengdang. As a Commander-in-Chief of the Ahom Army, Lachit Borphukan truly carried the legacy of the brave Ahoms, who were instrumental in surviving 17 such invasions in the Delhi sultan era and that of the mighty Mughal rulers. Sadly, the Battle of Saraighat took a toll upon the health of Lachit Borphukan. Only illness could defeat him. His last remains lie at the Lachit Maidan built in 1672 at Hoolungapara which is 16 km from Jorhat.