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Paika Rebellion
Context: On July 22, 2025, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik strongly criticised the NCERT for omitting the Paika Rebellion of 1817 from its newly released Class VIII history textbook.
Who Were the Paikas of Odisha?
- The Paikas (literally “foot soldiers”) were a military class in Odisha, recruited by the Gajapati kings from the 16th century.
- In return for their martial services, they were granted hereditary rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) to cultivate during peacetime.
- This unique system positioned them as both warriors and agriculturists, deeply embedded in the social fabric of Odisha.
Why Did the Paikas Rebel Against the British?
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- The Paika Rebellion of 1817 was fueled by a combination of political betrayal, economic hardship, and social displacement caused by British policies.
- Following the British annexation of Odisha in 1803, the East India Company:
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Dethroned the King of Khurda
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- Confiscated the land held by the Paikas
- Introduced revenue settlements that ruined Odia landowners
- Imposed taxes in silver rupees, leading to increased exploitation
- Monopolised the salt trade, affecting tribal and coastal communities
- The result was widespread resentment among the Paikas, tribals, and local landlords, culminating in a full-scale uprising led by Bakshi Jagabandhu, a former commander-in-chief of the Khurda kingdom.
What Happened During the Paika Rebellion of 1817?
- In March 1817, a force of 400 Kondhs and a large number of Paikas under Bakshi Jagabandhu launched a violent rebellion.
- They attacked the Banpur police station, burned British buildings, looted the government treasury, killed British officials and fought multiple battles across the Khurda region.
- Despite early successes, the British forces gradually suppressed the rebellion.
- Jagabandhu went underground and evaded capture until 1825, when he surrendered under negotiated terms.
What Is the Historical Significance of the Paika Rebellion?
- The Paika Rebellion is considered one of the earliest organised armed revolts against British rule.
- Though smaller in scale compared to the 1857 revolt, its significance lies in the unity of Paikas, tribals, and local elites, its widespread regional impact and its symbolic value in Odisha’s freedom movement narrative.
