Salt Lake: The bicentenary year of the Paika rebellion of Odisha was celebrated by the Odia Samaj at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre on Sunday.

The Paikas, a warrior class, had rebelled against the British East India company. The British managed to crush the rebellion that had spread across Odisha.

A book on the rebellion was released at the programme, held in association with Utkala - a Calcutta-based organisation.

Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi and Union minister Babul Supriyo were present on the occasion.

"The Paika rebellion of 1817 was one of the first organised armed rebellions against the British in India," said Hiranya Mohanty, a trustee of Odia Samaj, a Delhi-based organisation that is organising the bicentenary celebrations across the country. Calcutta is the seventh city where the celebrations were held.

A 45-minute dance drama on the Paika rebellion was staged. Dona Ganguly presented a 15-minute Odissi performance.

"We are indebted to Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan for his inspiration and support in organising the bicentenary celebrations across India," Mohanty said.