Paika Rebellion of 1817

Paika Rebellion of 1817

Why in News? 

Recently, the 1817 Paika Rebellion was excluded from a new Class VIII National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) history textbook. Former Odisha CM raised concern over this move and called it a dishonour to the brave Paikas. NCERT later confirmed that the Paika Rebellion would be included in the second volume of the textbook to be released soon.

What is the Paika Rebellion of 1817?

• The Paika Rebellion of 1817 marked one of the earliest coordinated armed resistances against British authority in India.
• It took place in Odisha, mainly in the region of Khurda, where the Paikas led the resistance. 
• This rebellion occurred four decades before the more widely known Revolt of 1857.
• Following the 1804 annexation of Khurda, the British revoked the Paikas’ land entitlements and stripped them of their traditional military duties.
• British policies such as heavy taxation, land seizures, and disrespect for local traditions created widespread dissatisfaction. 
• These changes directly triggered their decision to rebel.

Who Were the Paikas?

• The Paikas began as a class of warriors who served under the rulers of Odisha.
• The word “Paika” originates from the Sanskrit term “Padatika,” which means an infantry soldier.
• Under the Gajapati kings and later under the kings of Khurda, the Paikas were responsible for maintaining law and order, guarding borders, and defending the kingdom from external threats. 
• In Odisha’s traditional society, the Paikas were regarded with high respect and held an honorable status.
• They were not a single caste. Many of them came from the Khandayat caste, which was traditionally associated with martial activities in Odisha. 
• The Paikas lived in close-knit rural communities and maintained strong bonds with fellow villagers. 
• Odisha’s kings rewarded the Paikas with land grants in return for their loyal military service, a practice known as the “Paika System.”
• These land allocations, called Jagirs or Nishkar, offered the Paikas a stable livelihood and financial autonomy.
• Their weaponry included traditional arms such as swords, bows, shields, and spears.
• The Paika militia of Odisha had an organized internal structure with distinct ranks and roles:
  • The lowest level in their military order was occupied by the Prahari Paikas who mainly handled guard duties. They served as sentinels, guards, and watchmen. 
  • The Banuas were the main fighting force of the Paika army. They were trained warriors who actively participated in battles and defense operations. 
  • At the top of their ranks were the Dhenkis, who acted as commanders and supervised troop functions. They acted as the link between the king and the soldiers. 

Causes Behind the 1817 Uprising

• Political Disempowerment: The British East India Company took over Khurda in 1803 after overcoming the Marathas in battle. By 1804, they had removed King Mukunda Deva II from power and assumed full administration. His removal broke the traditional political system. The Paikas, who had sworn loyalty to the king, found themselves without a leader or protector. 

• Loss of Traditional Land Rights: The Paikas traditionally held land as part of their military service to the king. After the British takeover, many of these land grants were canceled, and the Paikas were forced to pay taxes or give up their land altogether. The British introduced a new revenue policy that did not recognize the earlier service-based landholding system. The cancellation of land and military rights pushed the Paikas into economic distress and social humiliation.

• Harsh Revenue Collection: After annexation, the British imposed rigid land revenue systems, such as the Permanent Settlement, which demanded fixed payments from landlords regardless of the agricultural yield. Landowners passed the burden on to peasants, and many small farmers lost their land due to inability to pay. The Paikas, who had already lost their privileges, now faced the same economic pressure as ordinary peasants. 

• Decline of Local Industries: British economic policies favored imports from Britain and discouraged local production. Odisha’s traditional industries, including salt manufacturing, weaving, and metalwork, suffered as a result. The British placed restrictions on local trade and imposed taxes on indigenous goods. 

• Disrespect for Cultural Traditions: The British administration also ignored cultural sensitivities. Traditional village councils and administrative practices were dismissed. Festivals and local customs were sometimes regulated or taxed. The new rulers treated local leaders with suspicion and did not value their historical importance. The feeling of being culturally disrespected added emotional fuel to the growing rebellion.

Key Events and Leaders of the Rebellion

• Initial Mobilization in Early 1817: By early 1817, signs of rebellion began to emerge across the Khurda region as unrest continued to grow. Former Paika soldiers, landless farmers, and tribal communities began gathering in small groups. It transformed into secret meetings and planned resistance. By March 1817, signs of an organized rebellion had become clear. Villages that once supported the royal army began turning into strongholds of resistance against British rule.

• Buxi Jagabandhu Emerges as the Leader: The rebellion was led by Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mahapatra, who had earlier served as the military commander under the Khurda king. His title “Buxi” referred to his position as the general or military leader. 

• After losing his ancestral land due to British revenue changes, he turned into a symbol of resistance. 

• He belonged to the Khandayat warrior caste, respected for its martial traditions. 

• Jagabandhu used his influence to unite the Paikas, tribal groups like the Kandhas, and peasants. His leadership gave structure to the rebellion.

• Attack on British Establishments: The rebels carried out their first major offensive in Khurda during March 1817. They targeted British offices, treasury houses, and administrative centers. The Paikas burned records, freed prisoners, and took control of local areas. The sudden and coordinated nature of the attack surprised the British and exposed their limited control over the region. 

• Expansion to Other Regions: Following the Khurda attack, the rebellion spread to Puri, Cuttack, and Ganjam districts. British troops stationed in Odisha were not prepared for this widespread revolt. They stormed British facilities such as police stations, tax offices, and storage depots. In Puri, the rebels made an emotional appeal to the masses by invoking the sacred identity of the Jagannath Temple, seeking blessings for their cause.

• British Countermeasures: The British responded by deploying reinforcements from nearby provinces to crush the uprising. They used firearms, cavalry units, and reinforcements to counter the rebellion. The rebels lacked the modern weapons and logistics to sustain a prolonged military campaign. By mid-1817, the British began regaining control over the affected areas.

• Capture of the Leader: Buxi Jagabandhu continued to resist for several months even after the main forces were broken. Buxi Jagabandhu escaped to forest areas and relied on guerrilla methods to continue resistance. For nearly eight years, he remained a symbol of resistance and refused to surrender. However, due to continuous pursuit and lack of resources, he was eventually captured by the British in 1825. Eventually, he was held under house arrest in Cuttack and died in 1829, while several of his fellow fighters were imprisoned or executed.

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Impact of the Paika Revolt

• The Paika Rebellion stands as one of the first armed movements against British imperialism in India. This earlier resistance demonstrated that Indian communities were already aware of colonial injustice. 

• The rebellion, though unsuccessful in military terms, exposed the fault lines in early colonial governance and warned the British about growing unrest.

• After this, the British increased military surveillance, fortified administrative centers, and closely monitored landowners and tribal leaders. 

• The rebellion made the British understand the importance of local knowledge and loyalty. As a response, they began recruiting local informants and loyal elites to control internal disturbances. 
• The British also reviewed their revenue collection methods in some regions, realizing that extreme exploitation could provoke rebellion.