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PM Unveiled 125-foot statue of Lachit Borphukan in Assam's Jorhat

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 09-03-2024
PM Unveiled 125-foot statue of Lachit Borphukan in Assam's Jorhat Person in News 3 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils a remarkable 125-foot bronze statue of the revered Ahom commander, Lachit Barphukan, in the city of Jorhat, located in the Assam state. 

  • Known as the 'Statue of Valour', it is a fitting tribute to the illustrious military leader, who bravely thwarted a significant bid by the Mughal forces to regain control of Assam, a legacy that spans over 400 years. 
  • Although former President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation for this monument in February 2022, the statue itself stands tall at 84 feet and rests on a 41-foot pedestal.

About Ahom General Lachit Barphukan:

  • Ahom General Lachit Barphukan was one of the five Barphukans who held administrative, judicial, and military duties in the Ahom kingdom of Assam and was born in 1622. 
  • He is remembered as a military commander for leading Ahom forces against a Mughal invasion in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat
  • The Battle of Saraighat took place on the Brahmaputra River at Saraighat, now in Guwahati, Assam, India, and was a naval battle fought in 1671 between the Mughal Empire led by the Kachwaha king Ram Singh I and the Ahom Empire led by Lachit Borphukan.
  • This battle with the Mughals is the last major attempt to expand his empire in Assam.
  • Although the Mughals recaptured Guwahati sometime after Borphukan abandoned it, the Ahoms regained control at the Battle of Itakhuli in 1682 and retained it until the end of their rule. 
  • Despite having a small army, Barphukan was able to defeat the huge Mughal army using guerrilla tactics.
  • He used his vast knowledge of the terrain to push back the sizable Mughal army and force them to retreat from Saraighat, now in Guwahati. 
  • His birthday is celebrated as Lachit Divas, a symbol of Assamese bravery, and his military prowess is honored by the National Defence Academy (NDA), which awards the Lachit Barphukan trophy to its best graduating cadet every year. 
  • The year 2022 marked the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan (pronounced Borphukan).

FAQ

Answer: Assam's Jorhat

Answer: Ahom commander

Answer: Battle of Saraighat

Answer: Kachwaha raja, Ram Singh I
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