Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Lachit Borphukan, Ahom Kingdom, Treaty of Yandaboo
Mains level: NA
Why in the news?
- The Statue of Valour, depicting Ahom general Lachit Borphukan, has become a significant landmark in Meleng-Hollongapar, Jorhat in Assam.
- The 125-foot statue commemorates Lachit Borphukan’s leadership in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671.
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.
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Who was Lachit Borphukan?
- Lachit Borphukan was a legendary military commander from the northeastern region of India, specifically from the state of Assam. Here are some facts related to him:
|
Description |
Timeline |
1622-1672 |
Dynasty |
Ahom Dynasty |
Mughal Threat |
Faced the Mughal Empire’s expansion into Assam |
Battle of Saraighat |
- Led Ahom forces to victory against the Mughals in 1671;
- Defended Assam against the Aurangzeb’s forces led by Ram Singh.
|
Leadership |
Known for strategic brilliance and guerrilla tactics |
Legacy |
Revered as a symbol of Assamese pride and resistance |
Recognition |
- 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).
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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 |
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