Paika Rebellion of 1817


Paika Rebellion of Odisha 


Paika Rebellion or Paika Bidroha took place in Odisha in the year 1817.Some historian considered this rebellion as the First War of Indian Independence against the British Raj. Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 or The Revolt of 1857  often regarded as First War of Indian Independence.


Who were the Paikas?


Paikas were the peasant militias of the Gajapati rulers of Odisha who rendered military service to the king during times of war while taking up cultivation during times of peace.
                                                                                        

Who was the leader of the Paikas Bidroha?


 Baxi Jagandhu Bidyadhara the hereditary chief of the militia army of the Gajapati King, was the main leader of the revolt under whom Paikas revolted against the British.

                                          

What were the causes of the Paikas Rebellion?


The main cause was occupation of Odisha by British in 1803 overthrowing the Khurda Rulers/ Gajapati Rulers. Gajapati Rulers were traditionally custodians of Jagannath Temple and ruled as the Deputy of Lord Jagannath on earth. The common people of odisha considered these rulers as the symbol of cultural and political freedom.

While occupying Odisha, the British forces faced stiff opposition from Jai Rajguru, the custodian of the Gajapati King of Odisha Mukunda Deva-II who was a minor at that time . Jai Rajguru was brutally murdered by the British forces. A few years later, in March, 1817 under Baxi Jagabandhu, Paikas taking support of tribals and other sections of society revolted against the British.


What was the result of the Paikas Rebellion?


The Paikas attacked British symbols of power torched the police stations, administrative offices and the treasury in Khurda, from where the British fled. The British were initially taken aback and faced stiff resistance from the rebelling Paikas. The British finally managed to defeat them within three months.  Many rebels brutally suppressed, many killed and imprisoned. Baxi Jagabandhu was finally arrested in 1825 and died in captivity in 1829 and finally the rebellion came to an end.

******

ART AND CULTURE OF THE MAURYAN PERIOD


Mauryan Culture and Religious Traditions

  • The Chandragupta Maurya overthrowing Ghananand of Nanda Dynasty in 322 BC (4th Century BC) established a new empire “The Mauryan Empire” one of the largest empire in the world and largest of ancient India.
  • Ashoka emerged as the most powerful king of the Mauryan dynasty and Mauryan Empire now controlled large part of India (except parts of Karnatka, Kerala and Tamilnadu). Ashoka had patronised the Shraman Tradition in  3rd century BC.
  • Buddhism and Jainism were part of the Shraman tradition. Shraman means "seeker” one who performs acts of austerity, ascetic". The Shraman tradition also includes others such as the Ajivikas, Ajnanas and Charvakas.
  • In Mauryan period multiple forms of worship was prevalent. Yakshas and Mother Goddesses were worshipped.
  • Yaksha worship was very popular before and after the advent of Buddhism and it was assimilated in Buddhism and Jainism.
  • Large statues of Yakshas and Yakhinis mostly in the standing position are found at Patna, Vidisha and Mathura. One of the distinguishing elements in all these images is their polished surface.



Stupas and Viharas Sculptures of the Mauryan Period


Construction of Stupas and Viharas became a part of the Buddhist tradition. Stupa, Vihara and Chaitya is part of   Buddhist and Jaina monastic complexes but the largest number belongs to the Buddhist religion.

Stupas- Stupas are the structures which were constructed over the relics of the Buddha.

Chaitya- It is an Assembly Hall or Prayer Hall of the Buddhist. 

Vihara - It was the resting/dwelling place for the Buddhist Monks i.e. a Buddhist Monastery.


  • Stupa structures were found at Rajagraha, Vaishali, Kapilavastu, Allakappa, Ramagrama, Vethadipa, Pava, Kushinagar and Pippalvina. Outside the Gangetic Valley, stupas are also found at Avanti and Gandhara.
  • The great Sanchi Stupa was built with bricks during the time of Ashoka and later it was covered with stone and many new additions were made. In the subsequent century, stupas were elaborately built with certain additions like the enclosing of the circumambulatory path with railings and sculptural decoration. There were numerous stupas constructed earlier but expansions or new additions were made in the second century BCE.
  • One of the best examples of the structure of a stupa in the third century BC is at Bijak-ki-Pahadi, Bairat in Rajasthan. It is a very grand stupa having a circular mound with a circumambulatory path.  It was built by Ashoka.
  • The stupa consists of a cylindrical drum and a circular anda with a harmika and chhatra on the top which remain consistent throughout with minor variations and changes in shape and size. Apart from the circumambulatory path, gateways were added. Thus, with the elaborations in stupa architecture, there was ample space for the architects and sculptors to plan elaborations and to carve out images.

Pillars and Rock-cut Architecture during the Mauryan Period 

  • In Mauryan period, stone pillars, rock-cut caves and monumental figure sculptures were also carved at several places.
  • Stone pillars were erected all over the Mauryan Empire with inscriptions engraved on them. The top portion of the pillar was carved with capital figures like the bull, the lion, the elephant, etc.
  •  All the capital figures are vigorous and carved standing on a square or circular abacus. Abacuses are decorated with stylised lotuses.
  •  Pillars with capital figures were found at Basarah-Bakhira, Lauriya-Nandangarh, Rampurva, Sankisa and Sarnath.
  • The Mauryan pillar capital found at Sarnath popularly known as the Lion Capital is the finest example of Mauryan sculptural tradition. It is also our national emblem.
  •  This pillar capital built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in commemoration of the historical event the first sermon by the Buddha at Sarnath i.e.  Dhammachakrapravartana which is symbol of great historical event in the life of the Buddha.
  • The rock-cut cave carved at Barabar hills near Gaya in Bihar is known as the Lomus Rishi cave. The cave was patronised by Ashoka for the Ajivika sect.
  • Depiction of a monumental rock-cut elephant atDhauli in Orissa shows modelling in round with linear rhythm. It also has Ashokan rock-edict.


Themes Depicted on the Monuments/Sculpture

  • During the early phase of Buddhism, Buddha is depicted symbolically through footprints, stupas, lotus throne, chakra, etc. This indicates either simple worship, or paying respect, or at times depicts historisation of life events.
  • In later phase, events from the life of the Buddha, the Jataka stories, were depicted on the railings and torans of the stupas in the pictorial tradition.
  • The main events associated with the Buddha’s life which were frequently depicted were events related to the birth, renunciation, enlightenment, Dhammachakrapravartana, and mahaparinibbana (death).
  • Among the Jataka stories that are frequently depicted are Chhadanta Jataka, Vidurpundita Jataka, Ruru Jataka, Sibi Jataka, Vessantara Jataka and Shama Jataka.


*******
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Like Facebook Page