Lachit Barphukan anniversary: Ahom dynasty protected Southeast Asia from Mughal invasion, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Addressing a gathering at the three-day long celebrations of 400th birth anniversary of Ahom commander Lachit Barphukan, the Union Minister hailed the Assam government for preserving the Ahom history.

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Wednesday said that the Ahom dynasty acted as a threshold that protected entire Southeast Asia from the ruthless invasion by the Mughals.

Addressing a gathering at the three-day-long celebrations of the 400th birth anniversary of Ahom commander Lachit Barphukan, the Union Minister hailed the Assam government for preserving the Ahom history. "I am extremely impressed by the culture in Assam and the way its history has been engraved and preserved," said Sitharaman. Earlier, she has inaugurated exhibition highlighting the life and achievement of Ahom dynasty and Lachit Barphukan.

She appealed to the Assam government to spread awareness about the history of such heroes of Assam. "The Assam government should make the universities across the country aware about the history of the Ahom general," said Sitaraman. She also said that Union Ministry of Culture should work with the Assam government in preserving the history of Assam.

Earlier in the day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the chief guest Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Law & Justice, flagged off the Lachit Divas cultural celebrations in the national capital at Sunder Nursery.

Addressing the gathering, Sarma reiterated the need to "rewrite Assam history". "The present history talks only about Mughals and Aurangzeb. Whereas the Ahom kings and its generals played a major role in protecting Assam and the entire northeast from the Mughal invasion," said Sarma. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the programme and on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the valedictory session.

This is the first time the legendary Ahom Army General Lachit Barphukan and his achievements are celebrated outside his home state to pay nationwide tribute to mark the leader’s 400 birth anniversary. Born on 24th November 1622 in Charaideo, he was known for his extraordinary military intelligence for defeating the Mughals, thereby halting the expanding ambitions of Aurangzeb in the Battle of Saraighat. The grand event is being marked on the sidelines of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

The programme kickstarted with a traditional prayer of the Tai Ahom community followed by a Sattriya performance on Sita Uddhar by Mridusmita Das Bora and team, a medley of folk dances of Assam presentation by maestro Ranjit Gogoi and a drama depicting the illustrious life of Lachit Barphukan.

Popular Assamese singer Papon set the stage on fire with his enchanting performance of Assam’s unique folk music. “This cultural evening will be based on patriotism, We will try to project the culture and civilisation of Assam. This whole year we celebrated the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan in Assam. It was launched by former president Ram Nath Kovind in February this year.

We have organised an exhibition and brought many valuable items from Guwahati museum, reflecting the glorious history of Assam right from the days of Kumar Bhaskar Varma. We also have many handwritten letters of Lachit Barphukan. Lachit Barphukan was a nationwide figure. His tale of braveries should not be restricted in Assam,” said Himanta Biswa Sharma.

Rijiju underlined the spirit of India is incomplete whilst we take our unsung heroes along this journey of growth and development. Their ethos and principles ought to be recalled and respected.

“Lachit Barphukan is considered Assam's cultural idol after defeating a large army of the Mughal Empire to protect Guwahati in the Saraighat Battle on the banks of the Brahmaputra River in 1671. He was a powerful leader and courageous paragon, who has been the pride and maintained the sovereignty of his homeland. His undying spirit for the country will continue to inspire generations. I feel proud to be a part of this event, which is about celebrating the spirit of Lachit Barphukan,” he added. The celebrations of Lachit Divas will come to an end with a three-day finale from November 23 to 25 in New Delhi.