Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India was correcting its mistakes by celebrating its diverse heritage and remembering its unsung heroes who were lost in the pages of history written as part of a conspiracy during the colonial era.
Addressing the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan, Modi stated that India’s history was not only about slavery, but also about its warriors.
He described India’s history as a history of warriors, a history of victory, a history of sacrifice, selflessness, and bravery.
Unfortunately, the prime minister stated that even after independence, the history written as part of a conspiracy during the colonial era was still taught.
After independence, there was a need to change the agenda of slavery, but this did not occur, according to Modi.
He claimed that brave sons and daughters fought oppressors in every corner of the country, but that this history was purposefully suppressed.
Today, India has broken free from colonialism and is marching forward, proudly celebrating our heritage and remembering our heroes, he said.
Modi also recalled how Lachit Barphukan prioritised national interests over blood relations and was not afraid to punish a close relative.
Lachit Barphukan’s life inspires us to think about the country rather than the dynasty. Modi stated that no relationship is more important than the country.
Barphukan (November 24, 1622 – April 25, 1672) was the famous General of the Royal Army of the Ahom Kingdom of Assam who defeated the Mughals and successfully halted Aurangzeb’s ever expanding ambitions.