Paiks Revolt in Orissa (1817-18):

Paiks were landed militia serving under the Raja’s of Orissa. These Paiks got tax free
land grants in lieu of their military services. During the Maratha rule (or) Peshwa’s rule period like Gadkaris of Maharashtra. When Orissa region came under the control of British rule, under their revenue laws, tax freeness over the lands of Paiks were removed and their earlier privileges
were also removed and they were treated equally as the other people. Further the company increased land revenue tax on the cultivators. Due to this Paiks left their lands and became wanderers in the forest. Ryots resented and raised their hands against British. Ancient feudal Raja’s of Orissa-Kurdu and Gumsur etc., were unable to collect the enhanced land revenue tax,
when they were harassed by the company those kurdu and Gumsur Zamindars revolted. The British increased the Peshkush from 15000 to one lakh which he was unable to repay.

In 1804, on the pretext of provoking people against British, the Jagir of the Raja Khurdu
was confiscated. This adversely affected the Paiks who were working under him. Paiks stood fore front in the revolts of local chiefs or Raja’s. These Raja’s also got the support of the people and became mass revolts which continued for longer period.

Jagabandhu Bidyadhara Mahapatra the commander in chief of Kurdu emerged as the leader of Paiks. In 1817 March 400 Khonds joined Paiks from Gumbur. The Paiks raided Banpur Police Station and Government Offices, killed 100 Britishers looked treasury British deployed three Battallions from Cuttack. But, due to superior forces British was able to contain revolts of native raja’s. Thus, the services of Paiks or armed militia was memorable in the history of popular revolts who stood and fought against the evils of British rule.