Lachit Borphukan

Why in news?

• PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to Lachit Borphukan, a celebrated warrior of Assam.

About Lachit Borphukan:

• Lachit Borphukan was a commander in the Ahom kingdom of medieval Assam.
• He is known for his leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat that thwarted a drawn-out attempt by Mughal forces to gain Control over Brahmaputra Plains.
• On 24 November each year Lachit Divas (Lachit Day) is celebrated statewide in Assam to commemorate the heroism of Lachit Borphukan and the victory of the Assamese army at the Battle of Saraighat.

Battle of Saraighat:

• The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle fought in 1671 between the Mughal Empire (led by the Kachwaha king, Raja Ramsingh I), and the Ahom Kingdom (led by Lachit Borphukan).
• The battle was fought on the Brahmaputra river at Saraighat, now in Guwahati.
• Ahom Army defeated the Mughal Army by brilliant uses of the terrain, clever diplomatic negotiations to buy time, guerrilla tactics, psychological warfare, military intelligence and by exploiting the sole weakness of the Mughal forces—its navy.
• The Battle of Saraighat was the last battle in the last major attempt by the Mughals to extend their empire into Assam.
• Though the Mughals managed to regain Guwahati briefly after a later Borphukan deserted it, the Ahoms wrested control in the Battle of Itakhuli in 1682 and maintained it till the end of their rule.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements:
1.Mughal Empire reached its maximum territorial extent under the rule of Aurangazeb.
2.Battle of Chausa was fought between Akbar and Rana Pratap.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a)1 only 
(b)2 only 
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question