The Paika Bidroha was a rebellion in 1817 in Odisha led by Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar against the British East India Company's rule over the region. The Paikas, who had previously served as peasant militias for the former Gajapati kings, lost their lands and faced exploitation when the British established control over the area and implemented new revenue systems. This led to a large-scale rebellion of Paikas against the British, which spread rapidly across Odisha and resulted in several clashes between the Paika forces and British troops.