The Paika Rebellion of 1817 in Odisha against British rule was led by:

The Paika Rebellion (Paika Bidroha) of 1817 in Odisha was led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra Bhramarbar Rai, the hereditary military chief (bakshi) of the Raja of Khurda.

Who were the Paikas?

The Paikas were the traditional militia (peasant soldiers) of Odisha, who served the local rulers, especially the Raja of Khurda, in return for rent-free land (jagirs).

They were trained in warfare and were respected in society.

Causes of the rebellion:

• After the British conquered Odisha in 1803, the Raja of Khurda lost his power and territory.
• The British took away the rent-free lands of the Paikas, and they lost their status and livelihood.
• Bakshi Jagabandhu lost his estate (Killa Rorang) because of British policies.
• The British revenue policies increased the land revenue demand, and estates were auctioned when the revenue was not paid.
• The British introduced a new currency and taxed salt, which hurt the common people.

The rebellion:

• In March 1817, the Paikas, with the support of tribal groups such as the Khonds of Ghumusar, rose in revolt under Bakshi Jagabandhu.
• They attacked British government buildings, police stations and treasuries, and occupied Khurda and Puri for some time.
• The rebellion spread to other parts of Odisha.

Suppression:

• The British sent troops and suppressed the rebellion by 1818, though resistance continued for some years.
• Bakshi Jagabandhu went into hiding in the forests; he surrendered in 1825 and died in captivity in Cuttack in 1829.

Significance:

• The Paika Rebellion is regarded by many in Odisha as one of the earliest organised armed uprisings against British rule, decades before 1857.
• In 2017, the bicentenary of the rebellion was celebrated, and the Government of India announced that it would be included in history textbooks.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Surendra Sai led a later revolt; Laxman Naik was a 20th-century tribal leader; Chakra Bisoi led the Khonds.