In 1817 took place an armed rebellion against the British East India Company's rule in Odisha called the Paik Rebellion, also called the Paika Bidroha. Bakshi Jagabandhu, leader of the revolt, was a symbol of Odia unity a source of strength. The rebellion quickly gathered momentum across most of Odisha and finally was put down by the English company with ruthless force. It was the first rebellion of the paika (soldiers of Odisha) with the support of common people against the East India Company's (Proxy government of the British Crown) misrule.
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| Paika revolt, Odisha youtube.com |
The Paikas of Odisha, the traditional warriors of that state in charge of security and protection during peacetime. Fearless and brave, there were three groups / ranks based on their occupation and weapons they were sporting. These were the Pahari:, the bearers of shields and the khanda sword, the Banuas: they lead distant expeditions and use matchlocks and the Dhenkiyas: archers who also perform various duties in Odisha armies.
The power and prestige of the Paikas declined when the English company in 1803 took over the control after defeating the Raja of Khurda. The company no longer needed the military services of Paika as they did not trust them and wanted to control their rent free lands given to the Paikas for their military service to the state. Now considered as common Ryots Paikas had to pay land taxes, etc . They lost their former Jagir lands and legitimate rights over them. Their livelihood and future of their families became a serious issue.
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| Odisha. Newsfolo |
The British being shrewd wanted to have a hold on the aggressive Paikas and their fighting nature by ruining their unity and economic status. So, in the interest of British survival in Odisha they kept their police force on high alert.
The Paika rebellion of Odisha faced social, economic and political ramifications, systematic alienation of the Paiks by the British regime and they were subjected to extortion, intimidation tactics and out right oppression by the EIC officials. The unjust extortionist land revenue policy of the company affected the peasants and the zamindars alike. On top of it, they were asked to pay high taxes on common salt.
The Proxy British government insisted that the taxes be paid in silver and not in Cowrie currency which was in force earlier. Discontentment and anger reached beyond the line of tolerance and in 1804, Raja of Khurda himself planned to stage a rebellion against the cunning British rulers. Soon, the British discovered the plot with the help of whistle-blowers plated by them and confiscated Raja's territory.
The rebellion by Paiks were led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Mohapatra Bhramarabar Ray, the former bakshi or commander of the forces of the Raja of Khurda. In 1814, the British took over Jagabandhu's family estate of Killa Rorang reducing him to live in abject poverty.
In March 1817 under the leadership. Raja Mukunda Deva, the last King of Khurda,people from all walks of life right from feudal chiefs to Zamidars in Odisha had given full support to the rebellion which had spread to important places. The Rajas of Kanika, Kujang, Nayagarh and Ghumusur aided Jagabandhu and Dalabehera Mirhaidar Ali of Jadupur was an important Muslim rebel.
Embers of hatred had been simmering for sometime and in March 1817 it began to over boil, A strong contingent of 400 highly spirited Kandhas crossed over into Khurda from the State of Ghumsur, openly declaring their revolt against the company's rule. The rebels became violent to let out their suppressed hatred for the British and their insulting treatment of them. Under Jagbandhu, the Paikas started looting and setting fire to the government properties at Banpur. The same story at Khurda where they did not spare native officials of the company and killed them.
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| Paiga rebellion, Odisha Odisha Diary |
At Puri, the British forces took control of Khurda and declared martial law in that territory. Situation at Puri changed and the rebels led by Bakshi Jagabandhu took control over the town forced the English company to retreat to Cuttack by 18 April. Consequently Cuttack remained cut off from the now rebel-held portions of southern Odisha. The British forces finally had put down the 1000 strong rebels because they were ill-equipped. They captured the temple town of Puri and the Raja before his escape. With great difficulty the EIC reestablished their authority over the region and by May 1817 normalcy was returned to the region.
In May 1817 gave many of the rebels severe punishment ranging from death to long term imprisonment. The EIC official between 1816 and 1826 combed the jungles and other remote places for the rebels, captured them and put them to death. As for Jagabandhu, the rebel leader, he surrounded to the British in 1825 and spent his time in jail till 1827. The Raja of Khurda refused any concession and died a British prisoner in November, 1817.
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| Statue of leader Bakshi Jagabandhu,, Bhubaneswar. en.wikipediaorg. |
Commissioner of Cuttack Robert Ker wanted some administrative changes to avoid recurrence of such a big rebellion. The Odisha region, a major transit point for the EIC between presidencies of Madras and Bengal had to be well protected . Later freedom struggle by Tapanga in 1827 and the Banapur Rebellion of 1835 showed the continued repressive policy of the foreign rulers who were more exploiting the natural resources of Odisha than giving importance to the aspirations of the native people there and the love of their land.
In October 2017, government of India said it would recognize Paika revolt as the first war of independence prior to the famous Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Naveen Patnaik, CM said: "Paika (1817 AD) of Odisha, which took place 40 years before the Sepoy Mutiny (1857 AD), eminently qualifies to be called as the 'first war of Indian Independence' not simply because it took place four decades prior to the Sepoy Mutiny, but due to its very nature and characteristic features."
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| Paiga rebellion, Odisha. Telegraph India |
"The Paika rebellion was broad based and well organised plural struggle against the oppressive rule of British East India Company. It involved all sections of the people," Naveen said. But in December, the Center has yet to recognize the Paika rebellion as the first major revolt against the English company. According to The Indian Express report Dec 3, 2021
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paika_Rebellion
, Odisha - yet another violent rebellion before 1857 revolt against the British misrule){kind=link}