Focus: GS-1 History
Why in News?
Prime Minister pays homage to courage of Lachit Borphukan on Lachit Diwas.
About Lachit Borphukan:
- He was Born on 24th November, 1622.
- Borphukan was known for his leadership in the Battle of Saraighat, 1671 in which an attempt by Mughal forces to capture Assam was thwarted.
- He was the inspiration behind strengthening India’s naval force and revitalising inland water transport and creating infrastructure associated with it due to his great naval strategies.
- He died on 25th April, 1672.
- Ahom kings ruled large parts of Assam, and parts of neighbouring states, for nearly 600 years between the 13th and 19th centuries.
- Between 1615 and 1682, the Mughal Empire made a series of attempts, under Jahangir and then Aurangzeb, to annex the Ahom kingdom.
- In January 1662, Mughal Governor of Bengal Mir Jumla’s forces engaged with the Ahom army and went on to occupy part of the territory under Ahom rule.
- Between 1667 and 1682, the Ahoms under a series of rulers, starting with Chakradhwaj Singha, (reigned 1663-70) launched a counter-offensive to reclaim lost territories. This included the battles Lachit is remembered for.
