Q. Throw light on the role of Jayi Rajaguru and Buxi Jagabandhu in resisting British control and inspiring people during the National Movement.
Ans: Jayi Rajaguru and Buxi Jagabandhu were pioneering figures in Odisha’s early resistance against British colonial rule. Their leadership in the Khurda Rebellion (1804–05) and the Paika Rebellion (1817) respectively laid the foundation for India’s nationalist awakening, decades before the 1857 uprising.
Jayi Rajaguru: The First Martyr of Odisha
- Served as Rajguru and Commander-in-Chief of Khurda under King Mukunda Deva II.
- Opposed British betrayal over promised restoration of four Praganas and temple rights.
- Mobilized Paikas and local chiefs, forming alliances with neighboring kingdoms.
- Led an armed revolt in 1804, attacking British positions at Pipili.
- Captured and executed in 1806 in a brutal manner, becoming a symbol of sacrifice and patriotism.
Buxi Jagabandhu: Leader of the Paika Rebellion (1817)
- Held the hereditary post of Commander (Buxi) in Khurda’s military.
- Deprived of his ancestral estates by British revenue policies.
- United Paikas, Kandhs, and Zamindars in a widespread revolt across Khurda, Banapur, and Puri.
- Attacked British establishments, looted treasuries, and disrupted colonial administration.
- Though eventually captured in 1825, his rebellion inspired grassroots resistance and regional pride.
In conclusion, both leaders exemplified early nationalist consciousness, blending military resistance with moral courage. Their legacies continue to inspire Odisha’s identity within India’s freedom movement narrative.
Read: OPSC Notes