PAIKA REBELLION

Paika Rebellion:

• it was an armed rebellion against the British East India Company's rule in Odisha in 1817, forty years before the revolt of 1857.
  
  
• The Paiks were the traditional landed militia of Odisha who served as warriors and were charged with policing functions during peacetime.
  
  
• Key events of rebellion
  • In March 1817, The Paiks rose in rebellion under their leader Bakshi Jagabandhu and projected Lord Jagannath as the symbol of Odia unity.
    
    
  • The rebellion quickly spread across most of Odisha before being ruthlessly put down by the company's forces.
    
    
  • By May 1817, the British managed to re-establish their authority over the entire province, but it was a long while before the tranquillity finally returned to it.
    
    
  
  
  
• Recognition:
  • The Ministry of Culture has recognised the Paika Rebellion at the national level.
    
    
  • The decision to commemorate the bi-centenary of the revolution was announced in the 2017-18 Budget Speech.