Bharat is not merely a land of heroes but also a land of countless unsung warriors— among these brave souls stands Lachit Borphukan, a valiant hero from the North East, whose name rarely finds mention in mainstream history books or public memory. It was Lachit Borphukan who bravely halted the Mughal onslaught, preventing their invasion into the North East and thereby preserving the region’s Hindu culture and indigenous traditions.

Keeping the Mughals at bay

Lachit was the son of Momai Tamuli Borbarua, the first Governor of Assam. He rose to prominence in the Ahom Kingdom owing to his unmatched bravery, which proved instrumental in safeguarding his homeland from Mughal aggression.

During this time, Aurangzeb, a fanatic tyrant, had made it his life’s mission to conquer and convert the kingdoms of Bharat to Islam. Though he had inherited an enormous empire from his forefathers, rebellions had broken out across its vast expanse. Just as Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh in the North and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the West defied the Mughal Empire, Lachit Borphukan stood firm in the North East, ensuring that the Mughals could not expand their dominance there.

Lachit’s extraordinary courage and military prowess came to the fore when he successfully wrested Guwahati from the Mughals, enraging Aurangzeb. In recognition of his unmatched contribution to keeping Assam free from Mughal rule, he was appointed General of the Ahom forces by the Ahom King.

The Battle of Saraighat stands as a shining example of Lachit’s strategic brilliance and indomitable spirit. This battle alone cements his reputation as a military genius. When Lachit recaptured Guwahati, Aurangzeb was furious. Determined to crush the Ahoms, he dispatched a massive army under the command of Ram Singh of Amber—comprising 30,000 infantry, 4,000 troopers, 2,000 archers, 18,000 cavalry, and 40 warships. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Lachit and his forces resisted fiercely, inflicting severe damage on the Mughal army.

A true commander understands not only his own strengths and weaknesses but also those of his adversary. Lachit realized that defeating the mighty Mughal army on land was impossible. However, he was equally aware that the Mughals were ill-equipped for naval warfare, unlike the Ahoms who were masters of river combat. Hence, he devised a brilliant strategy—he built mud embankments and lured the Mughal forces toward Guwahati, where he could engage them effectively on the waters of the Brahmaputra.

Like the Marathas, Lachit employed guerrilla warfare tactics, striking swiftly and unpredictably to weaken the enemy. However, during one such encounter, the Ahoms suffered a grave setback, losing around 10,000 men to Mughal swords. Sensing an opportunity, Ram Singh sent a proposal of surrender to Ahom King Chakradwaj Singha, but the King refused to submit.

A critical moment arose when Lachit Borphukan fell gravely ill during the decisive phase of the battle. Yet, as an ideal leader, he refused to abandon his men or his motherland. Knowing his soldiers’ morale hinged on his presence, Lachit, despite his illness, rode into battle, delivering a fiery and inspirational speech that rekindled the fighting spirit of his troops. He chose to face death on the battlefield rather than rest at home while his country was under siege, declaring that his first duty was to his motherland.

In the final assault, Lachit marshaled every ounce of his strength and tactical wisdom. Leading from the front, he executed a daring rear attack on the Mughals, slaying their commander, Munnawar Khan, and decisively turning the tide of battle. Through his courage and leadership, Assam was saved from Mughal domination and remained under the rule of the Ahom dynasty.

The legacy of Lachit Borphukan

Today, Lachit Borphukan’s legacy continues to inspire generations. A bust in his honour stands proudly at the National Defence Academy (NDA), commemorating his heroic deeds at Saraighat. In his memory, the Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal is awarded each year to the best cadet passing out of the NDA. His birthday, 24 November, is celebrated annually as Lachit Divas in Assam, paying tribute to his valour and patriotism.

Across the vast landscape of Bharat, there are countless men and women whose contributions have been unjustly pushed into oblivion, their heroism overshadowed or erased. If history has wronged them, now is the time to set it right. It is imperative that we honour and remember heroes like Lachit Borphukan, whose courage, devotion, and unwavering spirit were instrumental in protecting our civilization and halting the Mughal-Islamic onslaught in the North East.

(Featured Image Source: Swarajya Mag)