Garchuk Lachit Garh (meaning 'fort' in
Assamese) or
Fort
A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from La ...
, now popularly known as Lachit Garh, is located in northeastern India in the southwestern part of
Guwahati
Guwahati () the largest city of the Indian state of Assam, and also the largest metropolis in northeastern India. Dispur, the capital of Assam, is in the circuit city region located within Guwahati and is the seat of the Government of Assam. Th ...
city to the west of Ahomgaon. The fort was constructed under the
Ahom kingdom during the times of
Lachit Borphukan
Lachit Borphukan (24 November 1622 – 25 April 1672) was an army general, primarily known for commanding the Ahom Army and the victory in the naval Battle of Saraighat (1671) that thwarted an invasion by the vastly superior Mughal Forces unde ...
around the year 1669-70 CE, and stretches from the northern Fatasil hills at Garchuk locality cutting across the National Highway (N.H.)-37 at Garchuk Charali to the southern hills via Pamahi and Moinakhurung. The length of the fortification is about 3 km.
The fortification was built around 1669 C.E. to deter the invading
Mughal
Mughal or Moghul may refer to:
Related to the Mughal Empire
* Mughal Empire of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries
* Mughal dynasty
* Mughal emperors
* Mughal people, a social group of Central and South Asia
* Mughal architecture
* Mug ...
cavalry with two earthen ramparts and two water filled lakes in between and ditches dug in front, which can be seen by visitors. But illegal encroachment has taken its toll on this heritage site.
This medieval Gath with the road was known as Asurar Ali, which has now become the Pamohi Road.
In the book Lachit Borphukan and his Times, 1st Edition 1947, by Rai Bahadur S. K. Bhuyan translated from Tai-Ahom Buranji, there is account of the Assamese Plan of Defence. "Bethabar Hazarika Lekai Chetia, son of Lechai Kari from Gotanagar to Fatasil with 60 chor-bachas. Neog Gohain from Fatasil to the head of Asurar Ali with 60 chor-bachas. Hatrai Kaliabaria of the Borgohain family on Asurar Ali with 100 chor-bachas. Lahman Marangi-khowa Chetia of Borgohain family on the hill situated on the South of Asurar Ali with 100 chor-bachas".
Image:Garhchuk Garh 04.jpg, Garchuk fort, Guwahati
Image:Garh Garhchuk1.jpg, Garchuk fort, Guwahati
Image:Garhchuk Garh 05.jpg, Garchuk fort, Guwahati
Image:Garh Garchuk2.jpg, Garchuk fort, Guwahati
References
Bhuyan, S. K., "Lachit Barphukan and his times", 1st Edition 1947, Lawyer's Book Stall, Guwahati, Assam
External links
Google satellite imagery of the Garh/fortification
{{coord, 26.10560, N, 91.70951, E, type:landmark_source:enwiki, display=title
Forts in Assam
Tourist attractions in Guwahati
1670s establishments in India
17th century in the Ahom kingdom
Buildings and structures completed in 1670
Ahom kingdom