Lachit Borphukan: The Northeast Shivaji

Priyanku Baruah

During the dark days of Aurangzeb's tyranny, Bravehearts like Lachit Barphukhan and Shivaji showed us why our civilization has survived all sorts of the onslaught. Even when the Mughal Empire was at its zenith, the region of Assam and present-day Northeast was untouched by them. Had that not happened, Assam would have become a Muslim-majority province by the turn of the last century and most of its residents would have been Bengali-speaking Muslims. It would have, effectively, become part of East Bengal. And that means that Assam would have gone to Pakistan and become part of East Pakistan in 1947.

Assamese were able to retain their distinct identity and culture even in the face of such large-scale migration of Muslims speaking a different language, only because they defeated the Mughals in 1671.

Several inspiring statements were done and followed as well by Mahavir Lachit. Once he stated, "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?"

The name may not ring a bell for most outside Assam, but the story of Lachit Barphukan, a great warrior and a contemporary of Chhatrapati Shivaji, is the stuff of legend and folklore. As Aneesh Gokhale's narrative suggests, the two men had similar traits and destinies, especially their love for their land and people and the unflinching determination to defend both in the face of danger. While Shivaji's sphere of action was middle Bharat, especially the Maratha-ruled kingdoms around Pune, Lachit fought valiantly to get the adversaries out of his motherland, Assam. Their foe – the marauding Mughals

It is heartening to see that authors like Aneesh Gokhale are now bringing to light a forgotten history that generations of Marxist establishment historians like Romila Thapar, Irfan Habib and others, have kept hidden from our history textbooks and the mainstream public discourse. Spreading awareness about icons like Lachit Barphukan is a must if a rejuvenated, resurgent, wholesome Bharat has to emerge from the shadows of centuries of colonial mental enslavement which continues to this day. The valiant Ahoms had successfully repulsed frequent attacks on their homeland from the time of Muhammad Ghori on no less than seventeen invasions. The unparallel unapologetic patriotic temperament of the Ahom general is a testament to impenitent love for his land even at the stake of his family. His emotional indulgence and sense of loyalty towards his motherland are intense, so much so, that he did not mind beheading his maternal uncle for his sluggish, half-hearted and lackadaisical attitude in matters of national security. The stories of Shivaji, a king, and Lachit, commander of the Assamese army, run parallel to each other, bound, as the author puts it, by their "undying patriotism, will to set right historical wrongs and the bravery needed to stand up to a huge empire".

Lachit Barphukan was also known for his integrity and adherence to battlefield norms. Lachit's principled pursuance of war-field rules found expression when he instructed his men not to attack the retreating Mughal contingent while they were taking the route through the Manas River in the western boundary of the Ahom Kingdom. The Battle of Saraighat can be seen as one of the decisive battles because of which, history registered Northeast India as the only region in India that the Mughals couldn't invade and despite multiple attempts were left licking the dust, vanquished, defeated and made to retreat.

During a brief period when the Ahom kingdom was facing internal discord, the Mughals took advantage and captured Guwahati intending to take over more territory in Assam. However, they were badly defeated in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, and their dreams of capturing Assam remained unfulfilled.

After fighting for a full year, the Mughals finally began to withdraw from India on April 5, 1671 AD. Ahead of his departure, Ram Singha visited the Hayagriva-Madhava temple at Hazo to pray and inform the Brahman priests in charge of the shrine. He said, "Barphukan is not a hero of an ordinary calibre; the fortifications are complex and intricate, and I could not, therefore, obtain any loophole for the attack. Every Assamese soldier is an expert in rowing boats, shooting arrows, digging trenches, and wielding guns and cannons. I have not seen such specimens of versatility in any other part of India."

Unfortunately, like with Sankardev, this great treasure house of bravery hailing from Assam has not been given his due. If we follow the maxim of Sitaram Goel, Lachit Borphukhan's name should be taught in all Indian households like that of Shivaji and Banda Bahadur. Yet, It is significant this time that, in sincere efforts to place on record the heroic story of Lachit Borphukan on the world stage, the BJP-led government in Assam has decided to take the bonus of accrediting the legend with due honour, regard and attribution. Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged and appealed to other states to include a chapter on Lachit Borphukan in their academic curriculum.

It fills one's heart with an immense amount of happiness, pride, contentment and emotional surge to see posters, banners, hoardings and full train brandings of the national warrior displayed at several prime locations in Delhi, marking the start of a grand and majestic celebration on the 24th of November this year in Vigyan Bhawan.

The role of Lachit Barphukan in maintaining the democracy and demographic of Assam is so immense. Given the amount of valiance shown and sacrifice made by the son-of-the-soil, it is high time that the story of the unsung hero permeates into the heart of every man of India for them to feel and sense the true essence of patriotism in letter and spirit.