The 1817 Paika rebellion of Odisha is to be included as a case study in the Class 8 National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) history textbook.
The Union Culture Minister Kishan Reddy recently made this recommendation.
Paikas were recruited since the 16th century by kings in Odisha from a variety of social groups.
They rendered martial services in return for rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) and titles.
They were the traditional land-owning militia of Odisha and served as warriors.
When armies of the East India Company overran most of Odisha in 1803, the Raja of Khurda lost his power.
Subsequently, the prestige of the Paikas went on a decline. So, they rebelled back.
The British set up a commission under Walter Ewer to look into the issue.