Core Issue: NCERT Textbook Exclusion
- Odisha's Protest: Former CM Naveen Patnaik objects to omission from Class VIII history book, calls it a "huge dishonour."
- NCERT Clarification: To be included in Volume II (2025 release).
Paika Rebellion 1817
1. Who Were the Paikas?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | Warrior-farmers serving Gajapati kings (16th century onwards). |
| Role | Military retainers in peace; cultivators of hereditary rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs). |
| Grievance | British revoked land rights post-1803, imposed harsh revenue policies. |
2. Triggers of Rebellion
- British Betrayal (1803):
- Broke pact with Khurda king Mukunda Deva II (promised ₹1 lakh + land for passage).
- Paid only ₹40,000; seized royal lands; executed king’s custodian Jayee Rajguru (1806).
- Economic Exploitation:
- Rupee-based taxes → debt among tribals/landowners.
- Salt trade monopolized (1814) → hurt hill communities.
- Bengali landlords bought Odia lands cheaply.
3. The 1817 Uprising
| Leader | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Bakshi Jagabandhu | Led 400+ Kondh tribals + Paikas against British. | Attacked Banpur PS, looted treasury, killed officials. |
| Spread | Revolt expanded to Khurda, Puri, Ganjam. | Suppressed by British; Jagabandhu surrendered (1825). |
Political Significance Today
- Odia Sub-Nationalism: Symbol of regional pride; 2017 bicentenary celebrated as "first war of independence" (state demand).
- National Recognition:
- PM Modi honoured Paika descendants (2017).
- President Kovind laid Paika Memorial foundation (2019).
- Centre’s Stance (2021): To include as "early popular uprising" in textbooks (not "first war").
Why NCERT Inclusion Matters
- Historical Justice: Corrects colonial-era marginalization of non-elite revolts.
- Federal Respect: Addresses Odisha’s cultural sentiment.
- Academic Balance: Highlights pre-1857 resistance (e.g., Paika, Vellore Mutiny 1806).