400th birth anniversary celebrations of legendary war hero of Assam Lachit Barphukan begins in New Delhi

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The three-day celebrations on the 400th birth anniversary of the great Ahom general Lachit Barphukan began in New Delhi on November 23, 2022.

Important facts

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated an exhibition on the occasion at Vigyan Bhavan.

• Union Law Minister Kiren Rijijju attended the cultural event as the Chief Guest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the closing ceremony on 25 November.

• A documentary and a coffee table book on the life and glory of Lachit Barphukan were inaugurated in New Delhi during the event.

• The Assam government is organising a week-long program to mark the birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan.

Who was Lachit Barphukan? 

• Lachit Barphukan was a famous general of the great Ahom army that defeated the Mughals and checked the growing ambitions of Aurangzeb in the late 17th century.

• The Ahoms, who ruled Assam for more than 600 years, hold the record for the longest reign in the world.

• He is best known for leading the Battle of Saraighat on the Brahmaputra in 1671, repulsing an attempt by a Mughal army led by Raja Ramsingh-I to reconquer Assam.