Lachit Borphukan
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CMYK CMYK The Sentinel P A G E 2 AUGUST 6, 2018 CMYK Lachit Borphukan CMYK Lachit Borphukan, a legend, who was an army general from Assam, is remembered for his extraordinary victory against the Mughal army led by Aurangzeb headed by Ram Singh in the Battle of Saraighat in 1669. Momai Tamuli Borbarua, his father had a humble background but evolved as the first Borbarua (Governor of upper Assam and Commander- in-Chief of the Ahom army) under Turning Prataap Singha. Lachit Borphukan has received differenttraining in humanities, scriptures and military a Penny skills. He was handed over the responsibility of the Soladhara Barua (means scarf-bearer) of the Ahom Swargadeo. It was a position equivalent to a Private Secretaryship, which was regarded as the first step for a Green career as an ambitious diplomat or politician. Prior to being appointed as the Supreme Commander of the army, he held various posts of eminence, such as Superintendent of the Method: Royal Horses or Ghora Barua, Commander of the strategic Soak a paper towel in Simulgarh Fort and Superintendent of the Royal Household vinegar and line the Guards or Dolakasharia Barua assisting the Ahom king. bottom of your tray. The King Chakradhwaj Singha appointed Lachit as the Place the pennies commander in chief of the Ahom army. onto the paper towel. Quite efficiently, Lachit disposed his responsibilities and Sprinkle the pennies transformed it into a strong and powerful army by the with salt. summer of 1667. Literally, he raised the army for the battle soldiers and their Commander-in-chief Lachit Barphukan, Allow the pennies to and preparations were completed by summer of 1667. wrote: “Glory to the king! Glory to the counselors! Glory to sit until they start to During the Battle of Saraighat, he led the Ahom army, which the commanders! Glory to the country! One single turn green. This could was victorious against the Mughal army. When the Mughal individual leads all the forces! Even I, Ram Singh, being army attacked in Saraighat, while looking at the huge personally on the spot, have not been able to find any Mughal fleet, the Assamese army lost their determination loophole and an opportunity!” and will. And, Lachit was very seriously ill, despite of that he Lachit Borphukan died about a year after the victory at told his army to retreat if they wanted to and made it clear Saraighat due to natural causes. His remains lie in rest at that he wouldn’t do so. This gave a huge moral boost to the the Lachit Maidaam constructed in 1672 by Swargadeo Assamese army. Lachit recovered Guwahati from the Udayaditya Singha at Hoolungapara 16 km from Jorhat. Mughals and successfully defended it against the Mughal Every year 24th November is celebrated as Lachit Divas in forces during the Battle of Saraighat. The Mughal the state of Assam to pay tribute to general Lachit Commander-in-Chief, acknowledging his defeat by the Ahom Borphukan. take as little as 24 hours, but in our case, it took over 2 weeks. The Science Behind Turning a Penny Green Pennies are largely made of copper, which Science means they oxidize just like However, many other metals. However, the pennies rather than rusting, pennies simply be soaked get covered in a coating of green in a deep ● Pennies (we used a mix of old solution at that can be polished off. Turning a the copper atoms to mix with penny green does not eat holes first. When oxygen in the air and chlorine in you change into the penny. the salt. This creates a blue-green When you add substance known as malachite. it out for a vinegar and salt to It's chemistry in action! pennies, it vinegar-soaked dissolves the paper towel, Materials Needed: the top copper- ● Salt and new to see if there was a pennies CMYK oxide layer ● Vinegar difference in when or how will turn of the penny. ● Shallow tray they would turn green) green the This causes ● Paper towels next day. CMYK CMYK CMYK.