Which of the following was an uprising led by traditional landed militia (foot soldiers) in Odisha?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is: (d) Paika rebellion
Explanation:
· The Paika Rebellion (1817) was an armed uprising of the Paikas, the traditional landed militia (foot soldiers) of Odisha.
· The Paikas were the hereditary military class of the Gajapati rulers of Khurda, who rendered military service in exchange for rent-free land (Nishka Jagirs).
· Following the British conquest of Odisha in 1803, the British administration introduced a new land revenue system that deprived the Paikas of their lands and status.
· Led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, the military chief of the King of Khurda, the rebellion aimed to overthrow British rule and restore the local king.
Information Booster:
· Significance: It is often regarded by many historians as the "First War of Independence" because it predates the Revolt of 1857 by 40 years.
· Scope: The rebellion was not just limited to the Paikas; it received support from zamindars, tribals, and the common people, spreading across Khurda, Puri, and Cuttack.
· Commemoration: In 2017, the Government of India celebrated the bicentenary (200th anniversary) of the rebellion.
Additional Knowledge (Incorrect Options):
Faraizi revolt (Option a)
· This was a religious-agrarian movement in Eastern Bengal (1838–1857) led by Haji Shariatullah and his son Dudu Miyan. It advocated for radical religious reforms and the rights of peasants against zamindars.
Wahabi movement (Option b)
· This was an Islamic revivalist movement (active 1830s–60s) founded by Syed Ahmed Barelvi. Its center was in Patna and Sithana (North-West Frontier), and it aimed to convert the "land of the enemy" (Dar-ul-Harb) into the "land of Islam" (Dar-ul-Islam).
Ahom revolt (Option c)
· This uprising took place in Assam (1828), led by Gomdhar Konwar. It was a reaction against the British refusal to withdraw from Assam after the First Anglo-Burmese War, despite earlier promises.