On April 16, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured in Bhubaneswar descendants of 16 families associated with what is known as the Paika rebellion of 1817. Here’s an explainer about the little-known but bloody rebellion of Odisha against British colonialism.
What is Paika rebellion?
When the British started tinkering with the revenue system in 1803, the farming community of Odisha rose in rebellion. At that critical juncture, Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar — the military chief of the King of Khurda — led his motley army of Paikas forcing the British East India Company forces to retreat. The rebellion came to be known as Paika Bidroh (Paika rebellion).
When did it take place?
The rebellion, by the landed militia of Khurda called Paiks, predates the first war of independence in 1857 but did not get similar recognition. It took place when the British East India company wrested the rent-free land that had been given to the Paiks for their military service to the Kingdom of Khurda
Why does Mr. Modi honour people associated with the rebellion now?
It’s 200 years since the army led by King of Khurda revolted against the British on April 2, 1817. The rebellion had been flagged by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s budget speech this year where he said that “two hundred years ago in 1817, a valiant uprising of soldiers led by Bakshi Jagabandhu [Bidyadhar Mohapatra] took place in Khurda of Odisha. We will commemorate the same appropriately.”
