State urges Centre to declare Paika Rebellion as first war of independence

Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik at the secretariat here on Tuesday approved a proposal to urge the Centre to declare Paika Rebellion as the first war of independence.
“The Paika Rebellion also called Paika Bidroha was an armed rebellion against the East India Company’s rule in Odisha in 1817. Since the rebellion took place 40 years before the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857, it should be recognized as the first war of independence. The rebellion was a major historical event, which saw Paikas of Khurda and other parts of the state raise their voice against the British,” said tourism and culture minister Ashok Chandra Panda following the meeting.
As a tribute to the Paikas for their incomparable sacrifices, the Centre should declare Paika Rebellion as the first war of independence in the history of the country, he added.
The meeting was attended by chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, development commissioner R Balakrishnan and other senor government officials.
Earlier in the day, Paikas of Khurda had said they would propose the Centre to set up a ‘Paika Academy’ in the state at a special function on July 20 in Delhi marking the 200th anniversary of Khurda Paika Rebellion.