Latest / The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History
The Paika Rebellion: India's First War of Independence
While we often look to 1857 for the first major uprising against British rule, a fierce rebellion erupted decades earlier in the remote hills of Khurda, Odisha. This episode explores the Paika Bidroha, led by Bakshi Jagabandhu, who commanded the Paikas—a traditional militia of landed gentry stripped of their rights by the East India Company’s annexation of Odisha in 1803. We trace how these warrior-peasants, armed with traditional spears and bows, launched a coordinated attack on British outposts, burning records and defeating colonial forces in several key engagements. Lucas and Luna examine…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.