Include chapter on Lachit Borphukan in curriculum, Assam CM tells counterparts
The letter is among the Assam government’s initiatives related to the year-long celebration of the 400th birth anniversary of the 17th-century legendary Ahom army general
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has written a letter to his counterparts in other states, requesting them to include a chapter on Lachit Borphukan in the syllabus of the schools, colleges in their respective domain.

The letter is among the Assam government’s initiatives related to the year-long celebration of the 400th birth anniversary of the 17th-century legendary Ahom army general.
Lachit Borphukan’s valorous leadership led to the decisive defeat of the Mughals at the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, registering for him a unique space in the annals of Assam history. However, his achievements remain comparatively unknown in most other parts of the country.
“Borphukan is one of the most heroic figures of our nation’s history. At a time when large parts of our country were under the yoke of the Mughals, the bravery of Borphukan ensured that Assam was able to thwart the imperialist designs of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb,” wrote Sarma in his letter.
It is worth mentioning that in the battle of Saraighat of 1671, Borphukan led his army from the front to a resounding victory, despite being terribly ill. His unflagging valour and determination ensured the culture, identity and uniqueness of the north-east region remained intact.
Requesting his counterparts for inclusion of Borphukan’s history and valour in the curriculum, the CM added that this will contribute to the spread of patriotic ideals among the youth and inspire them to dedicate themselves to the service of the nation.
ABOUT THE AUTHORUtpal ParasharA seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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