Paika Rebellion / Khurda Revolt
This article talks about Paika rebellion which is also known as Khurda revolt after the name of location of its occurrence. It discusses how British overtook control over coastal areas of Orissa and confiscated lands of Paika which resulted in eruption of violent struggle of Paika soldiers to gain freedom from British.
Introduction
Who were Paikas?
Historical Background
Leaders of Paika Rebellion or Khurda Revolt
Cause of Paika Rebellion 1804
Consequence of Paika Rebellion 1804
Causes of Paika Rebellion 1817
Course of Events of Paika Rebellion 1817
Nature of Paika Rebellion
Conclusion
Introduction
Paika rebellion was an armed revolt by Paika militia in Khurda and surrounding region of Orissa. The objective of this revolt was to regain control over coastal region of Orissa which was slipped in to the hands of British. The revolt took place in the year 1804 and 1817. The rebel of 1804 was not at large scale. It is considered as the precursor of Paika rebellion of 1817 which was more intense and spread in a wider area of Khurda, Pipli, Banapur and Puri.
Who were Paikas?
The term Paika originated from “Padatika” which means foot soldiers. Paika were trained in warfare. Paika were soldiers in Orissa in the state of Khurda since centuries. They were not only soldiers but farmers also. Paikas used to give armed services to local landlords and Zamindars. They used to do policing activities in peace time. In return, they were granted pieces of land for farming. This system was in force even during rule of Gajapati rulers of 15th century.
Historical Background
Gajapati dynasty was ruling in Khurda and Puri way back in 15th – 16th century. Due to conflict with Vijaynagar Empire and clashes with Afgans, Gajapati dynasty got weakened and overtaken by one of their feudatories in 17th century. The kingdom was now in hands of Bhoi dynasty, the past feudatory. Before this power shift, Mughals had already won the region of Khurda and Puri in the year 1592. Though the territory was ruled by local rulers on ground level, yet they had to pay the tribute to Mughal Kingdom and suzerainty was concentrated in Mughal Empire. Subsequently, suzerainty shifted to nawab of Bengal. One of the successors of Bengal, Nawab Alivardi Khan passed the suzerainty over this territory to Marathas in 1751. In second Anglo Maratha war of 1803, Marathas were defeated and British East India Company took the control of Khurda and the surrounding territory by the “Treaty of Deogaon”. In this way, suzerainty of this coastal area of Orissa shifted from Mughals to British. The coastal territory of Khurda was controlled by Bhoi dynasty and its King was Mukund Deva 2nd who was in throne from 1795 – 1817.
Leaders of Paika Rebellion or Khurda Revolt
Paika rebellion or Khurda revolt was led by two leaders mainly. Both were important persons of administration of King Mukund Deva 2 of Bhoi dynasty.
Paika rebellion of 1804 was led by Jayakrushna Mahapatra who was also known as Jayi Rajaguru. He was principal adviser to the King.
The main Paika revolt of 1817 was led by Jagbandhu Bidyadhar Mahapatra who is also known as Bakshi Jagbandhu. He was the chief of army of King Mukund Deva.
Cause of Paika Rebellion 1804
During Second Anglo Maratha war, British sought help from Mukund Deva 2nd and requested him to allow their armed forces to pass through his territory. British offered him to give control of Puri and a cash of Rs 1 Lakh. The principal adviser, Jayi Rajaguru advised the King not to help East India Company but the King helped British with the hope of gaining control over Puri. Since Puri was a trade post and temple of God Jagannath was located in Puri, possession of the city was considered a symbol of high esteem. British defeated Marathas but they did not fulfill their promised made to King Mukund Deva. This infuriated Rajaguru. He planned to conquer Puri and other Mahals from British. He organized Paika militia and launched an attack on company in Pipli on 22nd November 1804.
Consequence of Paika Rebellion 1804
Initially, Paikas were gaining successin their struggle but later the revolt was crushed by British troops. Rajaguru was brutally executed in Medinipur fort on 6th December 1806. King Mukund Deva was put in house arrest. He was not allowed to stay in his capital and kept in Puri. He was granted an annual pension.
Cause of Paika Rebellion 1817
As a result of Paika rebellion or Khurda revolt of 1804, suppression was intensified by British East India Company. The following actions of British resulted in eruption of rebellion:
- EIC imposed sunset clause for collection of land tax. This led to huge debt burden on farmers.
- Lands of Paikas were seiged. Age old traditional system of Paikas was disregarded.
- Brutal execution of Jayi Rajaguru
- House arrest of King Mukund Deva
- Deprivation of rights to manufacture salt by the inhabitants of coastal territory
- The deprivation of landed estates of Bakshi Jagbandhu was the final trigger for ignition of spark of Paika rebellion.
Course of Events of Paika Rebellion 1817
In March 1817, Paikas and Khonds attacked Banapur. They attacked on government buildings and all administrative symbols of British colonialism. They killed British officials. On 12th April 1817, rebels reached Puri and head of temple of Jagannath Puri declared Mukund Deva as King again. The King gave only lip service. The real leader of Paika rebellion 1817 was Bakshi Jagabandhu. The small princely state of Kujang and Kanika also participated in Khurda revolt. The main duration of Paika rebellion 1817 was one year. Bakshi Jagabandhu also attacked Cuttack which was capital of British in Orissa. He could lead the rebellion till the month of October 1817 openly. Subsequently, the revolt continued in the form of Guerilla warfare for almost eight years. In 1825, Bakshi had to surrender and he was put in house arrest in Cuttack where he died in 1829.
Nature of Paika Rebellion
According to Indian historians, Paika rebellion was not a purely military revolt. Though Khurda revolt was initiated by Paika militia but it was joined by different sections of suppressed. The rebellions were tribesmen, peasants, and rent collectors also. The changes in local economy, political upset and administrative changes by British East India Company upset the traditional social fabric. This forced all the stakeholders to rebel against British.
Conclusion
Paika rebellion was one of the toughest oppositions against British rule in India in 19th century. Though most of the historians describe 1857 revolt as the first war of independence but there were many other efforts put by different sections of Indian society to get rid of British oppression. One such effort was Paika rebellion to reset their traditional social and political system but it took the lives of great Indian heroes.
See Other Posts: 1857 Revolt, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
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