A short animation film on Paika Rebellion (Paika Bidroha) of Odisha

A short animation film was shown during the inauguration of the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Paika Rebellion (Paika Bidroha) of Odisha at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

The Paika rebellion of 1817 found a national stage with President Pranab Mukherjee describing it as “a national war” and said it was time the struggle and sacrifice by a generation of Odias got its due place in the annals of history. Watch the video below.

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Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described the Paika Rebellion as a glorious chapter in Indian history. Patnaik said this on the occasion of the bicentenary celebration of the heroic Paika Rebellion of Odisha in New Delhi.

“The bravery and war strategy of our brave Paikas was second to none. The 1817 uprising under the leadership of Buxi Jagabandhu is a glorious chapter in our history. Paika Rebellion, popularly known as Paika Bidroha, took place 40 years before the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. It was truly a broad-based, well-organized pluralistic people’s struggle against the oppressive rule of the British East India Company, which transcended the boundaries of caste, creed and class. It played the role of the torch bearer and catalyst in shaping a people’s movement of resistance, which ultimately led to the Indian Independence Movement,” Patnaik said.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan during this event said, “We Odias are proud as Paika Rebellion was the first movement against the Britishers and we have gathered in Delhi on this occassion when Government of India is commemorating the 200th year of the most important tale of Odia culture.”

The occasion organised by Central Government at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi was also graced by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram. Besides, 150 Paika descendants and many dignitaries were also present in the event.