First President of Undivided India

Late Lakhyeswar Barua.

Born 1894, Died 30 November 1990.

Studied science graduation at Cotton College in Gauhati,  then left his studies halfway and joined the freedom movement at the call of the Mahatma. Inspired by Ghadhiji’s ideals and joined the freedom movement while doing graduation.

The late Lakhyeswar Baruah not only had the courage to stand up against the British colonial rule, but also declared the tiny Charigaon mouza as an independent nation and himself as its President.

In 1921 he was jailed in Jorhat and had to spend 14 months behind bars before he was released. During Gandhi’s Swaraj Movement in 1942, he declared the Charigaon area as a sovereign independent state  and made himself as its first President and formed a seven member Presidential Cabinet.He  made this historic announcement at a heavily attended public meeting at  Rebakanta Baruah Public High School near Charigaon, about four kilometres from the Jorhat town on 11 th of August, 1943.

The self-proclaimed "first President" Lakhyeswar Barua's Cabinet included Jagat Chandra Saikia, as the Minister for 'Home Department',Golap chandra Dutta - 'Education', Debicharan Borbora- 'Defence',Sonaram Saikia-'Public Works',Krishnaprasad Saikia-'Co-operatives' and J Bordoloi , the Minister for 'Revenue' At such a   turn of event, the British Administration was taken aback. The powerful British administration however took quick action and  overpowered him. His 'Ministers' went underground later while Lakhyeswar Barua was sent to the jail.

This unique part of our freedom struggle has been noted by  Union Minister Shri Sharad Pawar in his book "Contemporary Political Leadership". "Quit India Movement", by Prof. Anil Kumar Sharma also takes note of this happening.

Once, President of India late Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed addressing a public meeting at the premises of the Assam Agriculture University.  He noticed Lakhyeswar Barua sitting at a far corner of the meeting hall . President . Fakhruddin Ahmed called him to the dais stating that he was the 'First real President' and should sit at the dais with due honour. There is little wonder that his own people acknowledge him as the “first President of the Independent Charigaon mouza” in Jorhat district of Assam.

Former Prime Minister  late Rajiv Gandhi surprised the villagers of Charigaon when he visited his house in 1988.