Paika rebellion

December 3, 2021

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 1

Context:

The 1817 Paika rebellion of Odisha could not be called the first war of Independence, but considering it as a beginning of a popular uprising against the British, it would be included as a case study in the Class 8 National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) history textbook, according to the Union Culture Minister.

The Culture Ministry had received a reference from the Odisha Chief Minister asking that the Paika rebellion be declared the first war of Independence.

Paika rebellion of 1817

Paikas had been recruited since the 16th century by kings in Odisha from a variety of social groups to render martial services in return for rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) and titles.
After entering Odisha in 1803, the British introduced new revenue settlements, due to which many Odia proprietors ended up losing their lands to absentee Bengali landlords.
Changes in the currency and revenue systems meant the Odias had to pay taxes in silver, which was more expensive for them, and resulted in their further marginalisation and oppression.
In 1817, some 400 Kondhs, who belonged to the state of Ghumsur, banded together to revolt against the British.
Bakshi (Commander) Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mahapatra Bhramaraber Ray was the military chief of the then Khordha Raja, who roused and led Paikas (peasant militia) and Kandhs (tribals) in a military attack on the British in 1817.
During the course of the rebellion, government buildings in Banapur were set on fire, policemen and British officials were killed, and the treasury was looted.
The uprising lasted for a few months but was eventually crushed by the better-equipped and trained forces of the East India Company.
After seven years of evading arrest, in May 1825, he surrendered in Cuttack and was granted a pension till he died in 1829.

The Indian Express link-

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/paika-revolution-odisha-demand-explained-7653963/

Question- Write a short note on Paika rebellion.