<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently unveiled the statue of 16th-century Ahom general Lachit Borphukan in Assam’s Jorhat district. Now, before we delve into the details of Lachit Borphukan’s life, here are some key facts about this newly inaugurated statue.</p>
<p>Standing at a height of 84 feet, the statue rests on a 41-foot pedestal, giving it a height of 125 feet. Referred to as the ‘Statue of Valour’, this impressive monument finds its place at the Lachit Barphukan Maidam Development Project in Hollongapar. During the inauguration ceremony, the Prime Minister also adorned himself in traditional Ahom attire and headgear.</p>
<p>But who was Lachit Barphukan?</p>
<p>Lachit Borphukan served as a commander who also served as one of five councillors in Ahom King Susenghphaa’s court. He is known for his leadership during the 1671 ‘Battle of Saraighat.’ In this historic encounter, he successfully thwarted the imperial expansion of the Mughal Empire.</p>
<p>Upon his appointment as commander, Lachit Borphukan confronted a daunting situation. The Mughals had already seized Guwahati, compelling the Ahoms to sign the humiliating "Treaty of Ghilajharighat" in 1663, which imposed harsh conditions on the Ahom Kingdom.</p>
<p>Ahom King Supangmung entrusted Lachit Borphukan with the crucial mission of liberating the entire region from Mughal occupation. Presenting him with the prestigious golden sword known as ‘Hengdang’, the king appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the Ahom army.</p>
<p>Under his leadership, the Ahom army successfully recaptured Guwahati from the Mughal forces, employing guerilla tactics against Aurangzeb’s formidable army.</p>
<p>Today, Assam stands as the sole state in India to have repelled successive invasions by the Delhi Sultans and Mughal Emperors, with Lachit Borphukan credited for thwarting 17 such Mughal invasions. </p>
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