The Paika rebellion of 1817 was a watershed moment in modern Odisha’s history. The people of Odisha welcomed the British Government in order to be liberated from the Marathas’ exploitation. Their aspirations, however, were dashed when they encountered the administrative structure and economic exploitation, the two tentacles of British imperialism. To these miseries were added a flawed land revenue policy, a salt monopoly, the deprivation of local servants by the British administration, and the rulers’ callous attitude toward the ruled, all of which poisoned the minds of the people of Odisha. British rule reached a nadir in its degeneration when Jayi Rajaguru, Raja Mukundadeva 11 of Khurda’s indomitable minister, was hanged and the estate of Khurda was permanently confiscated. The British authority’s direct management of Khurda from 1805 enraged the indigenous people and laid the groundwork for an armed rebellion by the Paikas in 1817, led by the Raja of Khurda’s commander, Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mahapatra Bhramarabara Ray. This uprising is referred to as the Paik rebellion.
Table of Contents
Causes
Numerous factors contributed to the outbreak of the Paika Rebellion of 1817, which can be discussed in detail below.
British policies of exploitation
After the Raja of Khurda was deposed, Major Fletcher assumed command of the estate’s entire administration. Thus began the British administration’s exploitative policies, which became increasingly intolerable for the people of Odisha. They were unable to comprehend British regulations because they were not available in Odia and were only available in Bengali and Persian. Their ignorance was exploited by clerks who were not indigenous people but Bengalis who crowded Odisha’s offices. The local populace was extremely reliant on the Bengali clerks who collected large sums of money from them in a variety of important matters such as revenue collection, court cases, and so on. At the time, obtaining a favourable judgement from the court was a pipe dream for the local populace. They were unable to air their grievances before British authorities due to the chasm that existed between the general populace and the British government.
Faulty revenue policy
The British government’s erroneous revenue policy harmed the local zamindars and royats. Short-term land revenue settlements disproportionately impacted zamindars who had failed to pay their dues to the British authority. The British never granted remission or time to local zamindars for revenue collection. Zamindaries who failed to pay revenue to the British government in Calcutta on time lost their zamindarships for a variety of reasons, including crop failure, draught, flood, and other natural calamities. The assessments and over-assessments of the short-term settlements added to the peasants’ misery. The British government’s erroneous land revenue policy disappointed not only the zamindars, but also the royats.
British salt policy
Another factor that contributed to the rebellion was the British salt monopoly. It had wreaked havoc on the common people of Odisha. Odisha’s long sea coast produced an enormous amount of salt, which was freely used by the people of this land. However, the British government stripped the zamindars and indigenous peoples of the coastal region of their traditional rights to salt manufacture. Due to the heavy importation of Liverpool salt, every household in this land felt the increase in the price of salt.
Difficulties of the Khurda people
The amlas involved in administration smuggled large quantities of salt and profited handsomely. The common people of Khurda, who relied on smuggled salt, faced utter destitution. They violated British salt laws by producing salt. They were sentenced to prison for this violation of the law, which was a social stigma at the time. Individuals who were imprisoned were excommunicated from society upon their release. People attempted to draw the British government’s attention to the oppressive nature of the salt laws, but their efforts fell on deaf ears, enraging the people of Odisha.
The new monetary system
Another factor that contributed to the Paik rebellion was the British authority’s introduction of a new currency system in Odisha. Cowrie was the primary medium of exchange in Odisha during the Maratha period. It had an exchange rate with silver coins. During the early years of British administration in Odisha, the scarcity of cowrie currency was acute. As a result, British troops found it exceedingly difficult to obtain small items of daily consumption from the local market. As a result, the British government introduced sicca rupees in Odisha in November 1804. The zamindars, peasants, and Talukdars all encountered difficulties when it came to collecting revenue in cowrie currency. Villagers encountered numerous difficulties in dealing with the new currency and were grossly exploited by the local mahajanas.
Contemporary political condition of Khurda
Khurda’s people were rebellious due to the country’s political situation at the time. The hanging of Jayi Rajaguru, the deposition of Raja Mukundadeva II, and Major Fletcher’s reorganisation of Khurda’s administration enraged the local populace. They were determined to resist British rule in Khurda at all costs.
Displeasure of Buxi Jagabandhu
Buxi Jagabandhu’s displeasure was the immediate trigger for the Paik rebellion. He was the Raja of Khurda’s Commander, and his position was hereditary. He commanded respect from the populace on a par with the king. As a reward for his service, the Raja granted him jagir lands known as Buxibari, which included the quilla of Rorung and four paraganas, namely Rahang, Lembai, Sarai, and Chabiskud. Major Fletcher deprived Buxi of the quilla Rorung when he established new administration in Khurda. Additionally, Chandra Prasad Singh’s mischievous role resulted in the sale of the above-mentioned four paraganas of Buxi to Lakshmi Narayan, who ultimately gave them to Krishna Chandra Singh, a relative of Chandra Prasad Singh. When the truth was revealed, Buxi testified before Commissioner Richardson regarding this covert deal. The court challenge brought by Krishna Chandra against Jagabandhu’s right to these paraganas and Buxi’s own cousin Gadadhar Vidyadhara’s claim to such property prompted Richardson to depose Jagabandhu of his right to these paraganas and, as a result, all sources of income. This reduced Buxi to begging. To add insult to injury, the Daroga of Khurda attempted to arrest Buxi based on false information provided by Charan Patnaik, the Sarbarakar of Khurda who informed the Daroga about Buxi’s secret connection with the Pindaris. This contributed to Buxi Jagabandhu’s rebellion.
Events
The Paika rebellion in Khurda began on 29 March 1817. On that day, a group of 400 men known as the Kandh of Ghumsur in Ganjam entered the Cuttack district, where they were joined by the Paikas and Dulbeheras of Pergunnah Khurda and committed various acts of rebellion under the leadership of a man named Jagabandhu. The insurgents attacked the police station and government buildings in Banapur, killing over 100 men and stealing Rs. 15,000 in government funds. They attacked Charles Becher, the Southern Division’s Salt Agent, and pillaged his boats on the Chilka lake.
Rebellion in Khurda
The Paikas of Khurda united with the Chuhars Kandhs of Ghumsur under the leadership of Buxi Jagabandhu. They set fire to government buildings and looted Khurda’s government treasury. The insurgents advanced towards Lembai, where they assassinated Charan Patnaik at Rathipur. Khurda and the surrounding areas were quickly placed at the mercy of these rebels. They erected barricades and the rebellious Paikas guarded the Gangapara Pass, the main route connecting Cuttack and Khurda.
Edward Impey’s Steps
The insurgents’ activities alerted the British authorities to the alarming situation at Khurda. Edward Impey dispatched troops to Khurda and Pipli under the command of Lieutnants Prideaux and Faris, respectively, to deal with the emergency. On 1 April 1817, he marched towards Gangapara with a detachment of sepoys, accompanied by Lieutenant Travis. British troops were unable to cross the barricade and advance towards Khurda. On the other hand, the concealed Paiks attacked the British sepoys intermittently and forced them to retreat.
Revolutionary assaults
Lieutenant Faris pursued the insurgents on Captain Wellington’s orders and was shot along with one Indian Subahdar. Pipli was captured by the insurgent Paiks. Police stations and government buildings were destroyed in the fire. On 7 April 1817, some insurgents led by Rajballav Chhotrai attacked Hariharpur and severely beaten the Tahasildar of Kothdes. Additionally, they expelled the new zamindars of Balarampur and Budhakera. The common people of Lembai, Pipli, and Kothdes joined the insurgents and punished the zamindars who supported the British. Additionally, they set fire to villages and destroyed crops. The insurgents captured and looted Rani Mukta Dei of Sambalpur, who had taken up residence in her Panehgarh Jagir under British protection. Additionally, on Buxi’s orders, they assassinated Jagabandhu Patnaik and members of his family who were spies against Buxi.
Mukundadeva is proclaimed king
After achieving success in various locations such as Khurda, Lembai, Pipli, Gangapara, Kothdes, and Hariharpur, the insurgents advanced to Puri town. They also set fire to and demolished public and private structures. Buxi arrived in Puri on 14 April, accompanied by a large number of his followers. The temple’s priests greeted him. They denounced British rule and installed Raja Mukundadeva as their ruler, who was indifferent to such matters. Impey’s correspondence with the Bengali government reveals that the revolt gradually spread to Gope, Kujang, Pattamudai, Golra, Harishpur, and Praharajpur, among other places.
Le Fevre’s measures
With this in mind, the British government unlocked its Pandora’s box of methods for putting down the rebellion. Puri, Pipli, and Lembai were all placed under martial law. Captain Le Fevre marched towards Puri with large military detachments, burning several Paik villages along the way. Le Fevre captured the Raja and his son Ramachandradeva and brought them to Cuttack. The British government’s action undermined the insurgents’ morality. However, anti-British sentiment became widespread in Pattamundai, Kujang, and Gope, among other places. Captain Wellington now commands the troops to put down the rebellion. Captain C.R. Kennet was assigned to suppress the revolt at Gope, Golra, and the surrounding areas. Captain A.Macleod proceeded to Pattamundai in order to quell the rising tide of insurrection. Finally, the Raja of Kujang surrendered, and Captain Kennet was successful in apprehending Narayana Paramaguru and Bamadeva Patajoshi, two key leaders of the Paik rebellion, and their followers. They were escorted to Barabati’s fort. This restored normalcy in Pattamundai, Asureswar, and Praharajpur, among other places.
Revolutionaries’ new tactics
Buxi and his followers sought refuge in Nayagarh and Ranapur due to the British authorities’ repressive measures. However, the combined military operation from Ganjam and Cuttack forced Buxi and his followers to relocate frequently. Finally, Buxi proposed to his followers, including Krushnachandra Bhramarabara Rai, Damu Subudhi, and Gopal Chhotrai, that they travel to the jungles and fight from there. The insurgents prevented the Sarbarkars from concluding any revenue-sharing arrangement with the British. The resistance to British authority began with the Khonds of Banapur, who pillaged the British officers’ camps. The fire spread from Banapur to Khurda, Puri, Balakati, Gope, tiran, and Bolgarh, among other places. The government attempted to put an end to these uprisings. Attempts have been made to apprehend Buxi Jagabandhu. Major E. Roughsedge, assisted by Lieutnant D. Ruddell, attempted to apprehend Buxi and his followers who escaped from Baud in September 1818 with the assistance of the Raja of Dasapalla, including Biswanath Harichandan, Adikanda Bidyadhara, Dinabandhu Santara, Gopal Chhotrai, and Padmanava Chhotrai.
Efforts made to apprehend Buxi
As a precaution, the British authorities threatened the Raja of Nayagarh with confiscation of his estate if he assisted the insurgents. Meanwhile, some of Buxi’s followers were apprehended. British authorities announced rewards of Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 2,000 for the capture of Buxi Jagabandhu and Krushnachandra Bhramarabara Rai, respectively. Finally, on the recommendation of the Commissioner of Cuttack, the Governor-General-in-Council declared that Buxi would receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 200 if he surrendered. Buxi responded by sending a representation to the government through his adopted son outlining the heinous manner in which he was deprived of his property, the capricious rule of Major Fletcher at Khurda, the British government’s salt monopoly’s role in sowing widespread discontent among the people of Khurda, and so forth, but the government remained deaf to it.
Creation of circumstances for Buxi’s surrender
Meanwhile, two of Buxi’s wives and a large number of his followers were apprehended. Buxi, on the other hand, did not surrender. Commissioner W. Blunt of Cuttack recommended that Buxi and his staunch supporter Krushnachandra Bhramarabara Rai be pardoned. On the basis of Blunt’s report, the Governor-General-in-Council ordered that if Buxi and his friend surrendered, they would be pardoned and their pensions set at Rs. 100 and Rs. 50 per month, respectively, and they would live near Cuttack and be prohibited from leaving without the permission of the magistrate. Wilkinson, the magistrate of Khurda, communicated this to Buxi and his friend via the rebellious leader’s adopted son, requesting that they surrender within two months of 1 December 1822. Though Buxi received the order in January 1823, he rejected the proposal. He remained silent for two years. Krushnachandra, his friend, abandoned him. His followers were apprehended or surrendered in the hope of gaining government employment. Finally, Buxi chose to surrender.
British government negotiations with Buxi Jagabandhu
W. Blunt, the Commissioner of Cuttack, sent Waz Mohammed, the Sheristadar of the Office Superintendent of Tributary Mahals, to negotiate with Buxi during this time period. Both of them spoke at Nayagarh, and Buxi surrendered with his followers in Cuttack on 27 May 1825. Buxi and his followers were pardoned. His monthly remuneration was set at Rs. 150. He practically lived as a prisoner in Cuttack. He prayed for the restoration of his former possessions and permission to reside at Rorang, but the Governor-General-in-Council denied his request. Buxi died in Cuttack on 24 January 1829.
Consequences
The 1817 Paika uprising had far-reaching consequences, which are detailed below.
Odisha’s administrative changes
Changes have been made in the administrative field. Odias was employed by the government and entrusted with important tasks. This enables the indigenous people to develop a relationship with the British authorities through these employees.
Modifications to the judicial process
Changes were also made in the judiciary. Because Persi was the court language, the Odias were unable to comprehend the judicial procedure and verdict. Now, judges have been instructed to visit even the interior villages of a district accompanied by the Odia Amlas and redress the people’s grievances on the spot.
Salt price reduction
The price of salt was reduced and more salt was made readily available to the populace. The British government took this measure to appease the common people of Odisha in general and the people of Khurda in particular.
Management of the Jagannath temple of Puri
Raja Mukundadeva II’s death on 30 November 1817 allowed his son Ramachandradeva III to relocate to Puri. He was granted a pension of Rs. 24,000 per year and given charge of the Jagannath temple in Puri. The British government gained the support and sentiment of the Odisha people through this arrangement.
Reduced revenue burden on local zamindars
The British government relieved local zamindars of their revenue burdens. The way properties are handled has been altered. In several instances, the government purchased defaulters’ estates and returned them to their original owners. On the other hand, the Paiks were treated with contempt and contempt. They were compelled to abandon their profession as king’s militial men and take up cultivation and other manual labour as a means of subsistence.
Odisha’s British administrative structure reorganised
The British government took appropriate measures to restructure its administrative structure in Odisha. The commissioner was appointed and given special authority to enact a variety of reform measures. He retained control of the Board of Revenue, the Board of Trade, the Provincial Court of Appeal, and the Circuit Courts, among others. No military administration, but amity and cooperation with the local populace became his motto for effectively running the Odisha administration.
Sources and References
1. History of Odisha Vol-III by Dr Manas Kumar Das
2. History of Odisha Sahu, Sahu, Mishra
3. History of Odisha Vol-I by Y.K. Sahu
4. History of Odisha Vol-II by Y.K. Sahu
5. History of Odisha by RD Banerjee
6. Odishara Itihasa by Satyanarayan Rajguru
