‘Paika Bidroha’ to be named as 1st War of Independence:

‘Paika Bidroha’ to be named as 1st War of Independence:

Context:

• The ‘Paika Bidroha’ (Paika rebellion) of 1817 will find a place in the history books as ‘the First War of Independence’ from the next academic session.

Significance of the change:

• Paika Bidroha’ took place four decades before the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny.
• But, the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny is so far been regarded as the First War of Indian Independence.
• Thus, to give concrete factual knowledge, the government is on the verge to ammend Paika Bidroha’ of 1817 as ‘the First War of Independence’

Who was the Paika Bidroha?

• Paika Bidroha, was an armed rebellion against the British East India Company’s rule in Odisha in 1817.
• The Paikas rose in rebellion under their leader Bakshi Jagabandhu and, projecting Jagannath as the symbol of Odia unity.
• The rebellion quickly spread across most of Odisha before being ruthlessly put down by the company’s forces.

Who were the Paikas?

• 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.
• The Paikas were organised into three ranks distinguished by their occupation and the weapons they wielded.
• These were the Paharis, the bearers of shields and the khanda sword,
• The Banuas who led distant expeditions and used matchlocks and
• The Dhenkiyas – archers who also performed different duties in Odisha armies.

The Sepoy Mutiny, 1857:

• The Sepoy Mutiny was a violent uprising against British rule in India in 1857.
• It is also known by other names: the Indian Mutiny, the Indian Rebellion of 1857, or the Indian Revolt of 1857.
• It happened so that the Indian soldiers were discriminated on the basis of racism and were paid low salary.
• But this kind of outbreak happened only when the Indian soldiers were given cartridges which had a coating of grease that was made up of Cow and Pig fat.
• It was against the religious views of both Hindu and Muslim community.
• They were given false hopes by the company that all of this is rumour but when it came out to be all true, the soldiers lost their temper and resulted in a movement being called as Sepoy Mutiny.