Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 125-foot bronze statue of Ahom general Lachit Borphukan on Saturday in Jorhat, eastern Assam. This 16.5-acre region is being developed as a tourist attraction. In February 2022, former President Ram Nath Kovind lay the statue’s foundation stone. Allow me to introduce you to Lachit Borphukan, a renowned Ahom Empire army commander (1228-1826).
This statue is situated close to the location of his grave. This statue, which stands on a 41-foot pedestal, is 84 feet tall. This statue stands 125 feet tall in its entirety. At the Lachit Barphukan Maidam Development Project in Hollongapar, close to Teok, it was unveiled.
Being developed into a tourist destination
This 16.5-acre region is being developed as a tourism destination, with a focus on local history. In February 2022, former President Ram Nath Kovind lay the statue’s foundation stone.
Let us tell you that Lachit Borphukan was a famous army commander of the Ahom Empire (1228-1826). He is best known for his leadership in the ‘Battle of Saraighat’ of 1671, which thwarted an attempt to retake Assam by the powerful Mughal army led by Raja Ram Singh-I.
Died at the age of 49
He died of illness at the age of 49 and was buried at ‘Maidam’ – the graveyard of Ahom royals and nobles – at Hollongapar, where a memorial is now being built. Padma Bhushan awardee veteran sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar was entrusted with the task of creating the statue, which was created at his studio in Ghaziabad, UP. Sutar built the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
Tributes to Lachit Borphukan. pic.twitter.com/SV5vQdJv6M
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 9, 2024The project would cost a total of Rs 214 crore
The Statue of Valor was installed in the first phase of development at Holongapar and work on the second phase is also underway. A gallery showcasing the history of the 600 years of rule of the Ahom dynasty is being built, while another gallery is being set up to showcase the contemporary history of the state. An auditorium with a capacity of 500 people is also being built. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the total cost of the project would be Rs 214 crore.
