Lachit Borphukan

Lachit Borphukan Lachit Phu-Kan-Lung (Tai Ahom) লাচিত বৰফুকন
Lachit Barphukan's Statue at Jorhat, Assam, India
Born	Lachit Borphukan (Phu-Kan-Lung) (1622-11-24)24 November 1622
Died	1671
Resting place	Hoolungapara, Jorhat, Assam, India
Monuments	Lachit Borphukan statue in Brahmaputra river
Known for	Leadership as an Ahom General in 1671 Battle of Saraighat
Notable work	Won 1671 battle against Mughals
Parent(s)	Momai Tamuli Borbarua (father)

Lachit Borphukan (Assamese: লাচিত বৰফুকন ) was a commander and Borphukan in the Ahom kingdom known for his leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat that thwarted a drawn-out attempt by Mughal forces under the command of Ramsingh I to take back Kamrup. He died about a year later due to illness.

Lachit Borphukan was the son of Momai Tamuli Borbarua, the first Borbarua (or "Governor") of upper-Assam and Commander-in-Chief of the Ahom army) under Prataap Singha. Lachit Borphukan was educated in the humanities, Hindu and indigenous Indian scripture and military skills. He was given the responsibility of serving as the Soladhara Barua (scarf-bearer) of the Ahom Swargadeo, a position equivalent to a Private Secretaryship, which was regarded as the first step for a career as an ambitious diplomat or politician. Other offices held by Lachit before his appointment as Borphukan included Superintendent of the Stable of Royal Horses (Ghora Barua), Commander of the strategic Simulgarh Fort and Superintendent of the Royal Household Guards (Dolakaxaria Barua) for King Chakradhwaj Singha.

King Chakradhwaj Singha selected Lachit Borphukan to lead the forces of the Kingdom of Ahom to liberate Guwahati from Mughal-occupation. The King presented Lachit with a gold-hafted sword (Hengdang) and the customary paraphernalia of distinction. Lachit raised the army and preparations were completed by summer of 1667. Lachit recovered Guwahati from the Mughals and successfully defended it against the Mughal forces during the Battle of Saraighat.

Lachit Borphukan died about a year after the victory at Saraighat due to natural causes. His remains lie in rest at the Lachit Maidaam constructed in 1672 by Swargadeo Udayaditya Singha at Hoolungapara 16 km from Jorhat.