Consider the following statements regarding Lachit Borphukan: He was a...
Recently, the Prime Minister of India paid tributes to Lachit Borphukan on Lachit Diwas.
- He has been revered in Assam as the warrior who defeated Mughal armies in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671.
- He was commander of the Ahom armies during the battle of Saraighat – fought on the banks of Brahmaputra in Guwahati.
- He was a brilliant military commander.
- He was chosen as one of the five Borphukans of the Ahom kingdom by king Charadhwaj Singha and given administrative, judicial, and military responsibilities.
- Borphukan preferred guerrilla tactics which provided an edge to his smaller, but fast moving and capable forces.
- He died a year after the Battle of Saraighat from a long festering illness.
Key points about the AHOM Kingdom
- The Ahom kings ruled large parts of what is now known as Assam for nearly 600 years, from the early 13th century to the early 19th century.
- This was a prosperous, multi-ethnic kingdom which spread across the upper and lower reaches of the Brahmaputra valley, surviving on rice cultivation in its fertile lands.
- The Ahoms engaged in a series of conflicts with the Mughals from 1615-1682, starting from the reign of Jahangir till the reign of Aurangzeb.
Hence both statements are correct.
Consider the following statements regarding Lachit Borphukan: He was a...
Introduction:
Lachit Borphukan was a prominent military commander from the Ahom kingdom in present-day Assam, India. He played a crucial role in the Battle of Saraighat and is remembered for his strategic and guerrilla warfare tactics.
Explanation:
Statement 1: He was a military commander who took part in the Battle of Saraighat.
This statement is correct. Lachit Borphukan was the commander-in-chief of the Ahom army during the Battle of Saraighat, which was fought in 1671. The battle was a decisive confrontation between the Ahom kingdom and the Mughal Empire led by Mir Jumla, who sought to expand their territories in the region. Lachit Borphukan led the Ahom forces to a resounding victory, successfully defending the kingdom and halting the Mughal advance into Assam.
Statement 2: He was known for guerrilla tactics which provided an edge to his forces.
This statement is also correct. Lachit Borphukan is renowned for his innovative and strategic use of guerrilla warfare tactics, which gave his forces a significant advantage during the Battle of Saraighat. He adopted unconventional methods such as camouflage, surprise attacks, and hit-and-run tactics to counter the large and well-equipped Mughal army. By utilizing the difficult terrain and the riverine network of the Brahmaputra River, Lachit Borphukan was able to effectively disrupt the Mughal forces and inflict heavy casualties on them. His guerrilla tactics played a crucial role in the Ahom victory.
Conclusion:
Both statements are correct. Lachit Borphukan was indeed a military commander who played a pivotal role in the Battle of Saraighat, and he is well-known for his effective use of guerrilla warfare tactics. His contributions to the defense of the Ahom kingdom and his strategic brilliance have made him a revered figure in Assamese history.
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