Assam Govt pushes for national recognition to war hero Lachit Barphukan with 3-day long celebration in Delhi

way2barak, Nov.23: Lachit Barphukon, best known for leading the Ahom troops which fought and defeated advancing Mughal troops at the Battle of Saraighat on the outskirts of Guwahati in 1671 has now all set to get national recognition. The three-day celebrations of the 400th birth anniversary of legendary Ahom General Lachit Barfukan began in New Delhi on Wednesday. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated an exhibition on the occasion at Vigyan Bhawan this morning.

With an exhibition, two panel discussions and addresses by union cabinet ministers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Assam government has indeed made an unique endeavour to widen the horizon of medieval history by claiming a place of honour for the state and its war hero Lachit Barphukan.

Honoured to pay floral tributes to our great national hero Lachit Barphukan in presence of Hon Union FM Smt @nsitharaman ji during inauguration of the 3-day special celebration of #400YearsofLachitBarphukan at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/RF8GwGaKpt

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 23, 2022

The Ahoms who ruled Assam for over 600 years have a record as one of the longest reigns in the world. Lachit Barphukan was the famous General of the great Ahom army who defeated the Mughals and halted the expanding ambitions of Aurangzeb in the second half of the 17th century. Through these high-profile celebrations of his 400th birth anniversary, the Assam government is pushing for his national recognition as a hero along the lines of Shivaji, and as an important foil to the Mughals.

Speaking during the occasion in New Delhi on Wednesday, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Indian history has ignored our heroes. Indian history has ignored Lachit Barphukan, the Indian history has ignored the glorious Ahom dynasty. I hope and believe that this campaign of the government of Assam and the people will put the dynasty into its proper perspective. Indian history will recognise the glorious contribution of various kings and that India had a better general and better kings than Aurangzeb.”