Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday sought President Ram Nath Kovind’s intervention to recognise Paika rebellion (the peasant rebellion) as the first war of independence.

He demanded that a special train should run in name of Buxi Jagabandhu in Odisha, the great Paika who had fought a valiant fight against the British.

Paika rebellion was a valiant uprising against the British in 1817. For the past many years, debate was on whether the Paika rebellion was the first armed uprising against the British or not. Students, until now, had been taught that Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was the first Indian war of independence.

While laying the foundation stone on Sunday for a memorial to commemorate 200 years of Paika rebellion at Barunei hills in Khordha about 30km from here, the President recalled the valour and valiant fight of Odia Paikas against the British rule.

Attending the ceremony, Naveen said, “I have been demanding the Centre to declare Paika rebellion as the first freedom movement of India. Besides, Odisha also wants a special express train in name of Buxi Jagabandhu. ”

Kovind said, “The proposed project that will come up in 10 acres of lands at the foothills of Barunei hills, will serve as an inspiration for youths and generations to come. The place will transform into a pilgrimage, celebrating the saga and valour of the Paikas. People will know about the legends of the Paikas.”

He recalled how Odisha’s people ventured into different land and brought glory for the state. At the same time, President said how government of India was giving priority for the infrastructure development of the Odisha as part of its programme on the development of the eastern part of the country.

The Odisha government has given the land for the establishment of the memorial and Centre had also allocated budgetary provision for the construction of the memorial.

The family of the Tapang Dalabehera (chieftain) Madhab Chandra Routray, who led the fight against the British Raj, is now happy as its struggle against the British raj has now got the national attention.

Not only descendants of Dalbehera, Prafulla Bahubalendra, the descendant of the one of the heroes of the Paika Rebellion is also happy with this development. “Our ancestors struggled against the Britishers but have faded into oblivion. Now people will get to know about it,” said Prafulla (62), a security guard by profession who has taken voluntary retirement and is trying hard to own a land in his area.