5.6. The Khurda Uprising – A Case Study

Much before the event of 1857, there had taken place another event of a similar nature at a place called Khurda in 1817. Here, it would be instructive for us to study that event and reflect on how resentment against the colonial policies of the British had been building up since the beginning of the 19th century in different parts of the country.

Khurda, a small kingdom built up in the late 16th century in the south-eastern part of Orissa, was a populous and well-cultivated territory consisting of 105 garhs, 60 large and 1109 small villages at the beginning of the 19th century.

In the early 19th century, Khurda was a well-established kingdom in Orissa, known for its agricultural resources and local governance. This section introduces the historical context of the Khurda Uprising by highlighting the region's significance and setting the stage for understanding the grievances against British colonial policies. The mention of villages and garhs (fortified settlements) indicates a structured and populated area that would have felt the impacts of colonial rule.

Imagine a small, tight-knit community where farmers rely on their land for livelihood. Now, if an outside force imposed harsh laws and regulations on their farming practices, the community would begin to feel resentment. This is similar to how the people of Khurda felt under British rule.

His king, Raja Birakishore Dev had to earlier give up the possession of four parganas, the superintendence of the Jagannath Temple and the administration of fourteen garjats (Princely States) to the Marathas under compulsion. His son and successor, Mukunda Dev II was greatly disturbed with this loss of fortune. Therefore, sensing an opportunity in the Anglo-Maratha conflict, he had entered into negotiations with the British to get back his lost territories and the rights over the Jagannath Temple.

The kings of Khurda, specifically Raja Birakishore Dev and his son Mukunda Dev II, faced territorial losses and diminished influence, particularly over important cultural sites like the Jagannath Temple. As a tactic to regain power during conflicts like the Anglo-Maratha War, Mukunda Dev II thought alliances with the British could be beneficial, but this ultimately led to disappointment when the British failed to restore his rights after taking control of Orissa in 1803.

Think about a local ruler in a small town who lost control over key local events and traditions due to outside influences. The ruler may try to make alliances with those in power to regain control, only to find that these promises are empty. This reflects the situation faced by the rulers of Khurda.

Soon after taking over Khurda, the British followed a policy of resuming service tenures. It bitterly affected the lives of the ex-militia of the state, the Paiks. The severity of the measure was compounded on account of an unreasonable increase in the demand of revenue and also the oppressive ways of its collection.

The British administrative policies heavily impacted the local militia known as the Paiks, leading to loss of livelihoods for former soldiers and an increase in financial burdens due to harsh tax collection practices. This discontent grew as the British failed to accommodate the region's economic realities, leading many locals to resent their rule.

Imagine a community experiencing a sudden tax hike that strains everyone’s finances without any improvement in services. People in this community would likely feel frustrated and look for ways to resist those in charge, similar to how the Paiks reacted.

The uprising was set off on 29 March 1817 as the Paiks attacked the police station and other government establishments at Banpur killing more than a hundred men and took away a large amount of government money. Soon its ripples spread in different directions with Khurda becoming its epicenter.

The Khurda Uprising began when the local militia, the Paiks, launched a surprise attack on British government facilities. This violent confrontation marked a turning point, as it encouraged widespread participation from local communities who were equally frustrated by British policies, rapidly transforming the uprising into a broader rebellion against colonial rule.

Consider a situation where a small protest against unfair laws leads to a larger movement when others join in. This is how the initial attack by the Paiks sparked a wider uprising, similar to how one small act of defiance can motivate many others to take action.

However, outside Khurda it was sustained by Buxi Jagabandhu with the help of supporters like the Raja of Kujung and the unflinching loyalty of the Paiks until his surrender in May 1825. On their part, the British henceforth adopted a policy of ‘leniency, indulgence and forbearance’ towards the people of Khurda.

While the uprising faced significant military action from the British, local leader Buxi Jagabandhu continued to sustain the fight for several years. Ultimately, the uprising's failure prompted the British to revise their approach, focusing on more lenient policies to stabilize the region and placate the local population, rather than enforcing harsh rules.

Imagine a workplace where employees rebel against strict rules, leading to a re-evaluation of those rules by management. The management might then decide to implement more flexible policies to maintain harmony and avoid conflict, akin to the British adjusting their tactics in Khurda.

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