Mains Daily Question
March 7, 2024
Q.3 The Paika Rebellion led to the beginnings of popular uprisings against the British in India. Do you agree? Justify. Also, state the timeline and outcome of the rebellion. (10M, 150W)
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Approach to the answer: The question talks about Paika rebellion and how it is considered amongst the first of popular uprising against the British. Here, we first need to explain the characteristics/nature of Paika Rebellion and in the second section state how these characteristics made Paika rebellion, a first amongst many revolts against the British. Introduction We can introduce the question by stating what the Paika rebellion was in short or by stating the significance of the rebellion. One can also state that the topic was in the news off-late. Body Since the directive is to elucidate, the statement must be further explained and examples, facts (where applicable) must be used to illustrate the second half of the question. Conclusion We can conclude the answer by summarizing the arguments or highlighting the contributions of Paika rebellion in the history of fights against the colonial master. |
Answer:
Paikas were essentially the peasant militias of the Gajapati rulers of Odisha who rendered military service to the king during times of war while taking up cultivation during times of peace. They revolted against the British under the leadership of Baxi Jagandhu Bidyadhara in 1817 to throw off the British yoke.
The Paika Rebellion: Reasons, Timeline and Outcome
Reasons
- British Occupation: The British occupied Odisha in 1803 by overthrowing the Gajapati King of Odisha Mukunda Deva-ll, who was a minor.
- Denial of Territories: After conquest of Odisha, the British made an agreement with Mukunda Deva II for a clean passage through his Khurda territory to their destination and paid Rs.10,000/- as advance and the return 4 Praganas Rahang, Serai, Chabbis-kuda and Lembai including Puri Shrikshetra which were under control of the Marathas. However, the British denied territories.
- Denied of Hereditary Rights of Paikas: The British snatched away the Jagir land of Paikas who were hereditarily enjoying for generations.
Timeline and Outcome
- Rise of Revolt: The Paikas under Baxi Jagabandhu, the hereditary chief of the militia army of the Gajapati King, rose in rebellion, taking support of tribals and other sections of society. The rebellion started in March 1817 and spread quickly.
- Activities: The Paikas attacked British symbols of power, setting ablaze police stations, administrative offices and the treasury during their revolt.
- Initial Setback and Retaliation: The British were initially taken aback and then tried to regain lost ground but faced stiff resistance from the rebelling Paikas. However, the British finally managed to defeat them within three months. Baxi Jagabandhu was finally arrested in 1825 and died in captivity in 1829.
Paika rebellion did led to the rise of popular uprisings in India against British:
- No Precedence: There have been no people’s uprising of this scale before the Paika revolt. » For instance, the only notable uprisings were the Sanyasi uprising (1770-1820) and the Fakir uprising (1776- 77), that too were religious.
- Nature of Rebellion: The objective of the movement, meticulous planning, economic analysis, participation of people of all categories with an idea of alternate government which is indigenous – these characteristics made the rebellion unique.
- For instance, some rebels fought a guerilla war for years. This technique was further popularized in other revolts against the British thereafter.
- All People’s Revolt: Though Paikas played a larger role in the rebellion against the British, it was by no means a rebellion by a small group of people belonging to a particular class.
- For instance, the tribals of Ghumusar (part of present-day Ganjam and Kandhamal Districts) and other sections of the population actively took part in the revolt.
The Paika Bidroha (Paika Rebellion) briefly shook the foundations of British rule in the eastern part of India. Though the geographical dimension of the revolt was limited to the territory of Odisha, its imprint in Indian history is transcendental.
