The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Paik Rebellion (1817) was an armed uprising against British colonial rule in Odisha (Khurda), led by Bakshi Jagabandhu. It is often regarded as one of the earliest formidable peasant rebellions against British revenue and administrative policies, predating the Revolt of 1857.Statement 1 is Correct:
The rebellion broke out in 1817. The Paiks, the traditional landed militia of the Gajapati rulers of Odisha, rose in revolt due to the British conquest of Odisha in 1803 and the subsequent dispossession of their hereditary rent-free lands.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
The uprising was not opposed by the zamindars and ryots; rather, it received their active support. The British land revenue policy, the salt monopoly, and the depreciation of the currency had severely affected the zamindars, peasants (ryots), and tribals alike. Consequently, the rebellion transformed into a popular mass struggle involving various sections of society.
Statement 3 is Correct:
The British faced prolonged resistance. Although the British forces managed to recapture Khurda relatively quickly, the rebels resorted to guerrilla warfare. The British had to impose Martial Law and mobilize significant military resources. The resistance continued in various forms until Bakshi Jagabandhu finally surrendered in 1825.
Key Takeaway:
The Paik Rebellion (1817) was a broad-based uprising in Odisha led by the Paik militia under Bakshi Jagabandhu, supported by zamindars and ryots against oppressive British land revenue and salt policies.