Lachit Borphukan was an army general who famously led the Ahom Army to victory in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671. He and his army defeated the invading Mughal force which was vastly superior. This legendary general from Assam, known as the ancestral homeland of the Ahoms, united the kingdom and achieved a remarkable feat that solidified the kingdom's legacy.
The Mughal Empire was expanding under the rule of Emperor Aurangzeb, which worried the rulers of smaller kingdoms in the region. The Ahom King, Chakradhwaj Singha, prepared to resist the invading forces by gathering his armies and sending Lachit Borphukan to lead the resistance.
The Mughal forces were well-equipped, well-trained, and led by some of the most skilled generals of their time. They had conquered many kingdoms and enjoyed the strength of numbers and artillery. The Ahom Army, on the other hand, relied heavily on knowledge of the local terrain and guerrilla warfare tactics.
As the Mughal forces sailed down the Brahmaputra, they encountered little resistance initially. However, upon arrival in Guwahati, they encountered fierce resistance led by Lachit Borphukan. Despite being outnumbered, Borphukan masterminded the defense of the city and even allowed some of the Mughal soldiers to occupy the banks of the river, using their familiarity with the terrain to their advantage.
The turning point of the battle took place when the Ahom forces used the terrain to their advantage by luring the Mughal forces into disorganized and scattered positions. Borphukan's troops charged, and despite their smaller numbers, they resoundingly defeated the scattered Mughal forces in what became known as the Battle of Saraighat in 1671.
The fight went on for nearly six months and the Ahoms eventually recaptured Guwahati, emerging victorious from the battle. Lachit Borphukon was admired and recognized by King Chakradhwaj Singha as a hero. The Mughals recognized the bravery and resilience of Borphukan and made several attempts to capture him but failed each time.