LACHIT BORPHUKAN - HISTORY

News: 400th birth anniversary of Assam’s war hero Lachit Borphukan to be celebrated

What's in the news?

       The 400th birth anniversary of Assam’s legendary war hero Lachit Borphukan will be celebrated in the national capital from November 23 to 25 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attendance at the valedictory function.

Key takeaways:

       Borphukan was a commander in the erstwhile Ahom kingdom and is known for his leadership in the 1671 battle of Saraighat that thwarted an attempt by Mughals to capture Assam.

       The ‘Battle of Saraighat’ was fought on the banks of Brahmaputra in Guwahati.

       Mr. Sarma appealed to the people of Assam to light earthen lamps at their homes on the occasion on November 24, which is celebrated as ‘Lachit Divas’ across the State.

       In memory of Borphukan, the Chief Minister announced that a 125-foot bronze statue will be built at a cost of ₹175 crore at his memorial at Hollongapar in Jorhat district.

       The State Government has also taken up with the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad to name a building after Lachit Borphukan and to install a statue of Assam's icon there.

       The National Defence Academy (NDA), since 1999, has been conferring the best passing out cadet with the Lachit Borphukan gold medal, named after the Ahom general.