PAIKA REBELLION
PAIKA
REBELLION
A LOST CHAPTER OF BRITISH INDIA
SARASIJ MAJUMDER
The NCERT has decided to include Paika rebellion of
Odisha of the early 19th century in Class VIII history textbooks. ( NEHRU CABALS KEPT IT BURIED. ).
REASONS, AND DETAILS OF PAIKA REBELLION.
Paika Rebellion of 1817 is an armed revolt against the
British Oppression (EIC), led by the Paikas of Khurda region in Orissa. The
rebellion took form and shape under the leadership of Buxi Jagabandhu Vidyadhara.
“Paika” literally translates to warrior/ fighter in Odiya.
“Paika Akhada”, their style of fighting can be traced back to ancient Kalinga
and was patronized by king Kharavela. Paikas of Orissa were the landed militia
who were involved in performing policing functions on behalf of the Gajapati and other rulers of Orissa. They also acted as warriors
to help the king during wars. They were divided into:
1.
Praharis
– Experts In Fighting With Swords.
2.
Banuas-
Excellent Marksmen Using Matchlocks.
3.
Dhenkias-
The Archers In The Battlefront.
The kingdom of Khurda ( now a prosperous Town with a
Junction station in Howrah—Puri rail line) had
granted them rent-free land for the Police and Military services that they
offered to the kingdom. They used to work as peasants in Peace Time, and assisted
the tax collectors of their ‘MASTERS’.
Thus, Paikas were essentially the Peasant Militias of the Gajapati and other
rulers of Orissa who rendered the military service to the king during the times
of war while taking up cultivation during the times of peace.
In Bengal also—Landlords maintained an armed Militia consisting
“PAIKS”-& “BARKANDAZ” ( who used
Matchlocks) and it is mentioned in various Bengali Novels, and Literatures of
Nineteenth century.
The Paika Rebellion (Paika Bidroha) War Fought against
British rule (EIC), in Orissa in 1817. Pre-dating what is Historically accepted
as the first war of independence of
India against British Rule in 1857, the
Paika ‘Bidroha’ of 1817 in Orissa briefly shook the foundation of British rule
in eastern part of India.
Till 1803, Orissa was under Maratha rule, however after the
second Anglo-Maratha war, the Marathas were forced to cede most of the
territory in Orissa to British East India Company. Establishment of British
rule in Orissa was followed by a policy of repression against the Paikas. Theyb were the threats to British,
being Militia. They lost their traditional position in the society and their
lands, which they enjoyed tax free. In
addition to losing their estates, the Paikas were also heavily exploited by the
revenue collectors under the British Masters. Besides, many other activities of
the British like the introduction of a new currency system, ban on making salt
from seawater gave rise to widespread dissatisfaction and hatred against the
British rule.
Paikas under the leadership of Bakshi Jagabandhu, the
hereditary chief of militia army of the Gajapati King of Khurda ( the then small kingdom near Puri),
rose in rebellion in March 1817, taking support of tribals and another section
of society. A strong group of 400 Khonds from Ghumusar marched to Khorda and
declared their intentions to free Khorda and Ghumusar from the British rule.
The group was joined by the Paikas of Khurda as well.
They attacked British
symbols of power, setting ablaze Police Stations, Administrative Offices and Treasury
during their march towards Khurda Army Barrack. Some of the Company officers, and men were
killed. Britishers were initially forced to back and then tried to regroup, got reinforcement
from Calcutta, and regained lost ground but faced stiff resistance from the
rebelling Paikas.
The revolt enjoyed a great level of support from the Kings
of Nayagarh, Kujang, Kanika, Village Headmen, peasants and Zamindars. The
rebellion quickly spread to Purl, Pipli Cuttack and other parts of Orissa.
Initially, the Paikas seemed to have gotten hold of the battle and saw some
victory, but was suppressed by the British in just three months. The Paikas
retreated into the thick jungles of Orissa and carried out guerrilla war for
several years.
The revolt was completely suppressed by 1819. Thereafter, it
lasted sporadically for a year and a half before being ruthlessly suppressed by
the British East India Company’s forces.
At the end, the Paika leader, Bakshi Jagabandhu surrendered
to the British in 1825 and lived as a prisoner in Cuttack Jail till his death
in 1829.
PAIKA REBELLION – EFFECTS & OUTCOME
The result of the Paika Rebellion was disheartening as most
of the people who were part of the rebellion
got caught, were awarded death sentences or long-term
imprisonment.
A commission was appointed by the British officials to
enquire into the cause of rebellion. There were severe uprisings after this
Paika rebellion initiated by people from Kandha & Koi region. The major
issue that prevailed post the Paika rebellion was the revenue policy which was very
oppressive, and didn’t undergo any
change, even later.
The rebellion projected Lord Jagannath as the symbol of
Odiya unity. Though this was a bloody rebellion prior to the famous Revolt of 1857 that
challenged British Supremacy in India, it did not gain much popularity, and
publicity. On the event of the 200th anniversary of the rebellion,
the descendants of families associated with the rebellion were recognized and
felicitated by the Prime Minister.
REFERENCES:-
1.0 Paika
Rebellion : Precursor To Freedom Struggle In India -- Prof (Dr.) Narayan Rao
& Others.---- This is main source. The book is
available in Flipkart.
2.0 https://www.telegraphindia.com/odisha/paika-revolt-in-ncert-book/cid/1394888
4.0 https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/paika-rebellion-to-be-included-as-case-study-in-history-textbook/
5.0 IMAGE:-- COMPILED BY BLOGGER.
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