In which year did Bakshi Jagabandhu lead the Paika Rebellion to protest against the British land revenue policy?

The correct answer is 1817.

Key Points

• The Paika Rebellion of 1817 was led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, the military chief of the Khurda Kingdom, in Odisha.
• It was a significant uprising against the British East India Company’s land revenue policies, which caused widespread discontent among the Paikas and other sections of society.
• The rebellion began in Khurda and rapidly spread to other regions of Odisha, involving a broad coalition of peasants, zamindars, and tribal groups.
• The British imposed exploitative taxes, disrupted traditional land rights, and confiscated the hereditary estates of many zamindars, fueling the revolt.
• The Paikas, traditional militia of Odisha, were primarily affected as their role in the Khurda kingdom was marginalized due to British administrative reforms.

Additional Information

• Who were the Paikas?
  • The Paikas were the traditional landed militia of Odisha who rendered military service to the kings of the Khurda Kingdom in exchange for land grants.
  • Their hereditary land tenures were known as "jagir," which the British abolished, reducing them to poverty.
• Impact of British Revenue Policies:
  • The introduction of Permanent Settlement in Bengal and parts of Odisha disrupted the traditional agrarian system.
  • The British confiscated lands and auctioned them off to new landlords, alienating the Paikas and local zamindars.
• Key Events of the Rebellion:
  • The rebellion began in March 1817, with the Paikas attacking British establishments and burning government buildings.
  • It was suppressed by September 1817, as the British used superior military technology and administrative measures.
• Legacy of the Paika Rebellion:
  • The Paika Rebellion is often regarded as a precursor to India's First War of Independence in 1857.
  • In 2017, the Government of India commemorated the 200th anniversary of the rebellion, recognizing its historical significance.