A long-forgotten fort in the Gada Khordha region of Khordha symbolizes the bravery of Paikas. It also demonstrates their past rebellion. Not many youngsters knew this. During the pre-independence period, numerous kingdoms existed in India before the British and the East India Company assumed control. Kings and royalty partnered with the British or with taxpayers in exchange for security. In this process, India’s sovereignty took a back seat. The ordinary people suffered a lot. Several kingdoms raised concerns over the growing influence of the British Empire. Khordha was one of them. It was noted that Khordha was the last independent fort in India before being captured in 1803.

It’s a matter of pride for all Odia People that Khordha is the land of warriors. The nation gave up in the face of the mighty British forces. Nevertheless, the Khordha Paikas bravely continued to fight for independence and self-respect. They refused to surrender their arms like the others. To some extent, rebelliousness, self-respect, and respect remain prevalent among the People of Khordha. No wonder the Indian government acknowledged the Paika rebellion in 1817 as the first independent rebellion among Indians in 2017.

Dissatisfied with the burgeoning taxation system, the division-and-rule policy of the Britishers, and the ill-treatment of the Paikas by government officials, the warriors of Odisha fought back against the British forces through guerrilla warfare. Bakshi Jagabandhu and Jai Rajguru successfully spearheaded the campaign for some time by burning the treasuries of Banapur and Khordha. Many Britishers were killed in the rebellion. The traditional Paika akhada helped warriors combat the British with well-versed guerrilla tactics. The geography and location of the Khordha fort, along with the combined resistance of the rebellious army, were advantageous in the early stages.

However, the divide-and-conquer policy employed by British experts involved sophisticated tactics to elicit information about the rebellions from locals, often through bribery with gifts, land, and other incentives. Eventually, by getting internal information from treacherous odias, the British Force identified the hiding location of the Paika warriors in the Khordha area. Jai Rajguru was arrested, and the furious British officers gave him a gruesome death. Bakshi Jagabandhu was imprisoned until 1829, the year of his death. After the two stalwarts of the rebellion were subdued, the Paikas’ resistance ended. Selfish people were more dangerous than outside enemies.

The Marathas, Rani Laxmi Bai, and the rebellious warriors of 1857 were inspired by the 1817 Paika rebellion. The Odia Paikas were the first heroes of Indian Independence. They showed India the blueprint of resistance and the tactics for tackling the British Forces.

The blood of the Paikas enriches the soil of Khordha. It’s rich in bravery, righteousness, and dignity for standing for self-respect. The devotion and love for the country are evident in the Paikas’ eyes, inspiring many Indians. The rebellious nature of the Odia Paikas inspired many poets. They penned epic volumes of tales about Paika glory. Stories of heroism are widely read by many Indians across age groups. Indians should honor and respect the true heroes of India’s independence. We must remember our history.