An Alternative History Of India, Starring An Ahom General
The Times of India Mumbai|November 24, 2022
Assam CM explains why Lachit Barphukan’s 400th birth anniversary is a pivotal moment
Himanta Biswa Sarma
An Alternative History Of India, Starring An Ahom General

I vividly remember how in 1982 I was in Class 7 and read a chapter on Mahavir Lachit Barphukan as part of my history syllabus. With every re-reading of that chapter, the visualisation of his military heroism became clearer and more impactful. But as I grew older and explored advanced history books, a glaring gap became noticeable.

Amidst voluminous chapters glorifying the Mughal empire minimal prominence was given to Lachit Barphukan, one of India’s bravest generals who successfully stopped the northeastern expansion of the ruthless Mughal army.

A closer perusal of history books back then showed a distinct pattern.

References to Assam extended to not more than 200 years ago,

Giving a flawed impression to students that Assam and the Northeast emerged only after the British took control of India.

The intellectuals who chose to narrate history in such a manner acted as extensions of an ecosystem that treated India’s Northeast, her people and her culture as a distant frontier outpost. 

But now, as Aatmanirbhar Bharat proudly celebrates the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan, his heroic exploits are becoming known to all.

Denne historien er fra November 24, 2022-utgaven av The Times of India Mumbai.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 24, 2022-utgaven av The Times of India Mumbai.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE TIMES OF INDIA MUMBAISe alt
US soccer scrubs Islamic emblem from Iran flag
The Times of India Mumbai

US soccer scrubs Islamic emblem from Iran flag

The federation said in a statement Sunday that it decided to forego the official flag on social media accounts to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.”

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Pyar Ke Saat Vachan Dharam Patnii begins on TV tonight
The Times of India Mumbai

Pyar Ke Saat Vachan Dharam Patnii begins on TV tonight

What happens when kismet takes over the lives of two couples belonging to two different sections of society?

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Arijit serenades music lovers in Mumbai
The Times of India Mumbai

Arijit serenades music lovers in Mumbai

Arijit Singh casts a spell with his voice

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
ARGENTINA LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
The Times of India Mumbai

ARGENTINA LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

Messi's Strike Rattles Mexico And Lusail, Brings Team Back From The Brink

time-read
4 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Costa Rica come alive
The Times of India Mumbai

Costa Rica come alive

Los Ticos Stun Japan With Late Fuller Winner

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Morocco's moment under the sun
The Times of India Mumbai

Morocco's moment under the sun

Inspired Atlas Lions Shock Belgium For First WC Win In 24 Years

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2022
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, SOAR
The Times of India Mumbai

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, SOAR

Athletics Icon Usha Set To Become First Woman President Of IOA

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Industry body calls for slower rate hikes
The Times of India Mumbai

Industry body calls for slower rate hikes

CII Asks RBI To Moderate Pace Of Raising Repo As Global Woes May Impact Growth

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
The Times of India Mumbai

Insurance reforms may see PE funding surge in sector

Irdai Raises Investment Cap, Allows PEs To Be Promoters

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Cut ties with child-killing regime, Khamenei's niece tells world, held
The Times of India Mumbai

Cut ties with child-killing regime, Khamenei's niece tells world, held

Iranian authorities have arrested a niece of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after she recorded a video describing the authorities led by her uncle as a “murderous and child-killing regime”.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022