OdishaLIVE Bureau
The Odisha government will spend about Rs 50 crores for preserving memories of ‘Paika Bidroha’ on the occasion of its bicentenary.
According to Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Oil-paintings on the Paika Rebellion will be drawn at the State Museum here and wall panting will be sketched in Khurdha and Barunei.
That apart, a Paika Park Market Complex will be inaugurated in Khurdha town.Futher, Rs 8 crore will be spent on establishment of a Paika Smruti Bhavan.
Paika rebellion was the first war of independence in 1817. Paikas were the peasant militias of the Gajapati rulers of Odisha who rendered military service to the king during times of war while taking up cultivation during peace.
Paikas unfurled the banner of rebellion against the British under the leadership of Baxi Jagandhu Bidyadhara in as early as 1817.
