Summary:
"Paika rebellion was a broad based and well organized plural struggle against the oppressive rule of the British East India Company . "Of such earlier resistances and rebellions, the Paika Rebellion stands out prominently as it was essentially a broad based people's movement. It played the role of a torchbearer and catalyst in shaping a people's movement of resistance, which ultimately led to the Indian Independence movement," he wrote in his letter.Naveen said declaration of Paika Rebellion as first war of Indian independence would be a befitting tribute to commemorate the 200 anniversary of the Paika rebellion.History scholars from Odisha did not agree with the state government's claim and asked for more research in this regard. It involved all sections of the people. BHUBANESWAR: A day before attending a function to commemorate the bicentenary celebration of the 1817 'Paika Bidroha' in New Delhi, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday wrote Union home minister Rajnath Singh to declare the armed rebellion as the first war of Indian independence The chief minister's move was on the basis of cabinet decision that has cleared a proposal to recommend the Centre to recognize the 1817 rebellion as first war of Indian independence.Naveen in his letter stated that the Paika Rebellion , which took place 40 years before the 'sepoy mutiny' eminently qualifies to be called as the first war of Indian independence due to its very nature and characteristic features..