Lachit Borphukan’s bravery underlines the identity of Assam and his life was a lesson that the nation was supreme, rather than nepotism or dynastic politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the closing ceremony of the year-long celebrations commemorating the 400th birth anniversary of the 16th-century Assam general here on Friday.
The history of India, which was “written as a conspiracy” during slavery was not just about subjugation by “tyrannical rulers” who invaded it, but countless stories of victories over this tyranny following long periods of repression by them, he added.
“I bow to the hallowed land of Assam that gave us heroes like Lachit Borphukan. He played a pivotal role in preserving the culture of Assam. His bravery and fearlessness is the identity of Assam”, said Mr. Modi.
“Our ancestors stood up to the tribulations of foreign invaders; there was always someone who stood up to resist attempts at subjugation from the tyranny of such invaders. Lachit Borphukan is one such legend,” he added.
The Prime Minister released a book titled Lachit Borphukan - Assam’s Hero who Halted the Mughals on the occasion. He also suggested that a grand theatrical play on the general of the erstwhile Royal Army of the Ahom Kingdom, who defeated the Mughals under Aurangzeb, be created along the lines of the one on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and taken to “every corner of the country.”
Lachit Borphukan is remembered particularly for his leadership in the 1671 battle of Saraighat fought on the banks of the Brahmaputra in Guwahati to successfully thwart an attempt by the Mughal empire to capture Assam.
“If someone sought to suppress us by the sword, to wipe out our existence and culture — we have known how to counter it. Our ancestors staked all they had to fight the Turks, Afghans and the Mughals; the Mughals had taken over Guwahati but Aurangzeb could not withstand the heroism of brave hearts like Lachit Borphukan,” he said.
“For centuries, attempts were made to tell us that we were only looted and plundered but that is not the case. India’s history is of victory, battle and sacrifice and the valour of countless greats,” he added.
Mr. Modi said that the need to tell stories about India’s history against foreign invaders had long been suppressed, adding that it was only when a nation knew its real past that it could learn from its experiences and tread the correct direction for its future.
In an apparent dig at the Congress, he also spoke of Lachit Borphukan’s life as providing inspiration for holding the nation above “nepotism and dynasty.”
“Unfortunately, even after independence we were taught the same history which was written as a conspiracy during the period of slavery. After Independence, it was needed to change the agenda of foreigners who made us slaves. However, that was not done. India is now correcting these mistakes of the past,” he said.
“Lachit Borphukan’s life inspires us to live the mantra of ‘Nation First.’ His life inspires us to rise above self and to give the highest priority to the national interest. His life teaches us that instead of nepotism and dynasty, the country should be supreme,” he also said, adding that the northeast would be the beacon of the country’s development.
Assam Governor Jagadish Mukhi, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Members of Parliament Justice (Retd.) Ranjan Gogoi and Topon Kumar Gogoi, and members of the Assam government were also present at the event.
