New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The celebration of 200 years of Paika Rebellion in Odisha is an occasion to remember the incomparable sacrifices of the martyrs, who undertook an armed rebellion against the British in 1817. The year-long celebration should be documented for future guidance, said President Pranab Mukherjee while inaugurating a function to commemorate the occasion at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday.
In his speech, the President acknowledged that 40 years before the revolt of 1857, which was later termed as First War of Indian Independence against British Colonialism, a battle was fought under the leadership of Buxi Jagabandhu in Odisha.
The President said the Paika uprising was in the nature of a rebellion by people of Odisha. It was aimed at upholding the rights of the Odia people and sovereignty of Odisha.
“Along with Buxi Jagabandu, it is time to pay respects to other great warriors of Paika Bidroha such as Dinabandhu Samantray Mohapatra, Dama Subudhi Manjaraj, Samanta Madhaba Chandra Routray (Dalbehera of Tapanga), Pindiki Bahubalendra and Krutibas Patsani,” he added.
Pre-dating what has been popularly regarded as the Fist War of Independence in 1857, the Paika Bidroha (Paika Rebellion) of 1817 in Odisha briefly shook the foundations of British rule in the eastern part of India. 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 unfurled the banner of rebellion against the British under the leadership of Baxi Jagandhu Bidyadhara to throw off the British yoke.
Among others,Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma attended the event.
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