Lachit Borphukan and his Legend

Ahom Kingdom (1228–1826)

• Establishment: Founded in 1228 in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam by Chaolung Sukapha.
• Duration: Retained sovereignty for 600 years until annexed by British India in 1826 (Treaty of Yandaboo).
• Resistance: Despite facing the Mughal Empire’s power, the Ahom Kingdom remained unconquered.
• Political Structure: Established a new state by supressing the older system of bhuiyans (landlords).
• Labor System: Relied on forced labor known as paiks for state functions.
• Social Organization: Society divided into clans or khels, embracing Hinduism and Assamese language alongside tribal beliefs.
• Cultural Patronage: Supported poets, scholars, and theater; translated Sanskrit texts into local language; composed historical chronicles called buranjis.
• Military Strategy: King served as supreme commander; core army comprised of paiks; mastered guerrilla warfare and surprise attacks.
• Key Forts: Included Chamdhara, Saraighat, and Simlagarh, strategically crucial for defense.
• River Expertise: Mastered construction of boat bridges on the Brahmaputra River.
• Legacy: Ahom Kingdom’s military prowess, cultural patronage, and political organization left a lasting impact on Assam’s history.

• Led Ahom forces to victory against the Mughals in 1671;
• Defended Assam against the Aurangzeb’s forces led by Ram Singh.

• INS Lachit:  Indian Navy’s guided-missile destroyer named in honor;
• Lachit Divas:  Celebrated annually on November 24th in Assam;
• Lachit Borphukan Medal: Awarded to the best cadet from the National Defence. Academy (NDA, Pune).

PYQ:

[2015]  Who among the following founded a new city on the south bank of a tributary to river Krishna and undertook to rule his new kingdom as the agent of a deity to whom all the land south of the river Krishna was supposed to belong?

(a) Amoghavarsha I

(b) Ballala II

(c) Harihara I

(d) Prataparudra II