STATUE OF VALOUR - ART AND CULTURE

News: Statue of Valour watches over battle for Ahom pride in Assam’s tea capital, Jorhat

 

What's in the news?

       Recently, the Prime Minister unveiled a 25-foot-high statue of Lachit Borphukan.

 

Statue of Valour:

       Location – Jorhat, Assam

       Made of – Bronze

       Sculptor – Ram Vanji Sutar, a Padma Bhushan awardee

 

Lachit Borphukan:

       He is a legendary army commander of the Ahom kingdom (1228-1826).

       Born in – Assam.

       He is known for leadership in the Battle of Saraighat, 1671, one of the greatest naval battles in India.

 

Battle of Saraighat, 1671:

       Led by – Raja Ram Singh I

       Fought on the banks of the Brahmaputra in Guwahati.

       Resulted in the victory of Ahoms over the Mughals.

 

Contribution of Lachit Borphukan:

       United and bought together the tribal forces of Assam.

       Inspiration behind strengthening India’s naval force.

 

Commemoration:

       The Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal is awarded to the best cadet from the National Defence Academy.

       Lachit Divas celebrated on November 24.

 

Ahom Kingdom:

       Founder – Chaolung Sukapha.

       Economy – Depended upon Forced Labour.

       Those forced to work for the state were called paiks.

       Society – Worshipped their own tribal gods, yet they accepted the Hindu religion.

       Important forts – Chamdhara, Saraighat, Simlagarh, Kaliabar, Kajali and Pandu.

       Demise – Annexed to British India by the Treaty of Yandaboo.