Cuttack: A bronze state of the leader of the Paika Rebellion of 1817, Buxi Jagabandhu, will be installed at Buxi Bazar Square here.
Municipal commissioner Bikash Ranjan Mohapatra told The Telegraph on Sunday that the civic body's plans to erect the bronze statue had been given final approval with work set to begin later this year.
"The works department's roads and buildings division approved the municipal corporation's application, paving the way for the statue to be erected at one of the most important junctions in the city's main thoroughfare at Buxi Bazar, which was named after the legendary leader," Mohapatra said.
Several Odia scholars consider the Paika mutiny, and not the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, as the first freedom struggle.
According to historical records, Buxi Jagabandhu had surrendered to British forces with his followers in Cuttack on May 27, 1825. He was pardoned along with his followers.
He lived virtually as a prisoner in Cuttack. He prayed for the restoration of his former possessions and allowances to reside at Rorang. Buxi breathed his last January 24, 1829 in Cuttack.
The area where Buxi was held in Cuttack was later renamed Buxi Bazar. A large pond in the nearby area is still referred to as Buxi Pokhari.
An officer of the roads and buildings division (Cuttack) said the Cuttack Municipal Corporation could set up the statue at Buxi Bazar "without creating hindrances for any traffic management at the important junction of the city".
Mohapatra said permission was sought following a demand from the Buxi Bazar Byabasayi Sangha. "The municipal council has also given its approval to the plan," he said, adding: "A sculptor will be shortly asked to design and erect the statue."
"We are happy that our demand has taken shape. It will be one of the significant statues in the city," said Salil Ghosh, secretary of Buxi Bazar Byabasayi Sangh.