Jagabandhu

popularly known as Bakshi Jagabandhu, was the commander (Bakshi, a rank second only to the king) of the forces of the king of Khurda. He is one of the earliest freedom fighters of India. The great Paika Rebellion in 1817 started under his leadership. It was the first rebellion of the paika (soldiers of Orissa) with the support of common people against the British Rule. The land revenue policy of the British was the primary cause of the rebellion, but also the raise in salt price. The less number of paika were unable to defeat the well-equipped British counterpart and had to recede back to the jungles. In this operation bands of paika were hunted down and many were brutally murdered. The East India Company policies remained unchanged.