The statue of Ahom general Lachit Borphukan who defeated the Mughals in the Battle of Saraighat, on the river Brahmaputra in Guwahati. Even before it became part of independent India, Assam was a meeting ground of dynasties, tribes, traders, immigrants. It was also a place where Bengalis of all faiths learnt to pull together, watchful of the other yet cordial. Both were accepted by the Assamese as part of Assam, till, as they say, “they couldn’t”. (Samir Jana / HT Photo)