Bhubaneswar, July 19: The state government will celebrate next year the bicentenary of the 1817 Paika revolt, which many historians claim to be the first war of India's Independence.
Paikas (a martial race) had first raised the banner of revolt against the British Raj in 1817 at Barunei near Khurda. The revolt had subsequently spread to Ghumsar in Ganjam and Kujang, Kendrapara and Kanika in the undivided Cuttack district.
Historians from Odisha claim the Paika revolt should be acknowledged as the first war of Independence, and not the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
State culture minister Ashok Chandra Panda, who presided over a preparatory meeting today, said the historic event would be celebrated in a grand manner. An " amar jyoti stambha" (a martyr memorial pillar with a flame burning round the clock) will be installed at Barunei hills, the site from where the rebellion began.
Panda directed officials to prepare a calendar of events for the celebration of the bicentenary. Chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi asked the officials of the departments concerned to draw up an action plan within the next 10 days.
The meeting also discussed documentation of the Paika revolt and bringing historical facts to the fore. Padhi suggested organising a national seminar on the subject in New Delhi.
Exhibitions will also be held at the foothills of Barunei, the epicentre of the revolt, various competitions among school and college students will be organised and Paika akhada (display of martial arts) will be performed. At the meeting, suggestions were made to impart martial art training to girls as part of a self-defence exercise and honour the best performer with "Rani Sukadei Samman" (Queen Sukadei fought with the British forces).
During the celebrations, a sound and light gallery on the subject will also be set up at the state museum.
In a related development, the state government today decided to organise Kalinga Baliyatra this year to commemorate the sea voyage to Bali island in Indonesia, which was held in 1992 when Biju Patnaik was chief minister. The state tourism department will organise the event in collaboration with the Indian Navy as part of the centenary celebrations of the legendary leader.
