Paika Rebellion—India’s early armed resistance against British colonial rule—has resurfaced in national discourse following its controversial exclusion from the first volume of the NCERT Class VIII history textbook. The omission triggered widespread outrage in Odisha, where the uprising holds immense cultural and political significance. In response, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) announced that the Paika Rebellion would be featured in the second volume of the textbook, scheduled for release later in 2025. This development underscores the continuing struggle to include regional uprisings in India’s official historical narrative.
Who Were the Paikas?
The Paika Rebellion was led by the Paikas—hereditary militia of the Gajapati kings of Odisha. These foot soldiers were granted rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) in return for their military service. In times of peace, they worked as cultivators but retained their armed status and social prestige. Their influence in Odisha’s pre-colonial administration was significant, and they played a key role in maintaining law and order across the kingdom.
British Annexation and Decline of Paika Privileges
The roots of the Paika Rebellion lie in the political turmoil following the British East India Company’s annexation of Odisha in 1803. The British disregarded local customs, dethroned the king of Khurda, and arrested Jayee Rajguru, a respected royal advisor. As the colonial administration introduced new revenue systems and replaced local currencies, the Paikas lost their hereditary lands and economic base. Many were pushed into poverty and saw their traditional roles eliminated.
The sudden shift from honoured warriors to impoverished cultivators fueled resentment among the Paikas, especially as their rent-free land grants were revoked. This economic disenfranchisement, coupled with the British monopoly on essential goods like salt and increasing taxation, sowed the seeds of rebellion.
The 1817 Uprising
The Paika Rebellion erupted in March 1817 when Bakshi Jagabandhu, the commander of the ex-Khurda forces, led a coordinated attack against British institutions. Backed by around 400 tribal Kondhs and hundreds of Paikas, his forces ransacked British offices, police outposts, and treasuries. The uprising spread rapidly across various parts of Odisha, including Khurda, Banpur, and Puri.
Though initially successful in catching the British off-guard, the rebellion was eventually quashed by superior colonial firepower. Bakshi Jagabandhu went underground and managed to evade capture for nearly eight years. He finally surrendered in 1825 under a negotiated truce, marking the end of active resistance.
Cultural and Political Importance
The Paika Rebellion has long been viewed by many in Odisha as India’s first war of independence, preceding the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny by four decades. Although this classification remains debated among historians, the uprising undeniably represents one of the earliest large-scale revolts against British rule.
In contemporary politics, Odisha’s regional parties, particularly the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), have pushed for national recognition of the Paika Rebellion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his 2017 visit to Odisha, paid tribute to the Paikas, further solidifying its place in the national memory. Memorials and cultural centers commemorating the Paikas have since been developed across the state, with educational institutions dedicated to their legacy.
Educational Controversy and Public Reaction
The exclusion of the Paika Rebellion from the NCERT’s new Class VIII history textbook led to widespread protests in Odisha. Critics accused the central education body of marginalizing important regional histories in favor of a North India-centric narrative. The NCERT, however, clarified that the event was being saved for inclusion in Volume II, acknowledging its historical weight and the concerns raised.
This controversy brings attention to a recurring challenge in Indian education: how to balance the representation of national and regional histories. While the freedom struggle has many threads, the tendency to highlight only a few pan-Indian narratives leaves regional resistances underrepresented.
Conclusion
The Paika Rebellion is not merely a localised protest but a symbol of early resistance against imperialism. Its rediscovery through educational discourse and political attention serves as a reminder of the diverse roots of India’s freedom movement. As history textbooks evolve, the inclusion of such episodes can help foster a richer, more inclusive understanding of India’s path to independence.
