Paika (community)

The Odia word Paika is derived from Padatika or foot soldier. They were a class of military retainers recruited from a variety of social groups to render martial services in return for hereditary rent-free lands and titles. Most Paiks were recruited from Khandayat, Gopal (cowherd) and Chasa (peasant) communities.^{[4][5][6][2][7][8][9]}

Separate Caste

The Caste based consensus introduced by the Britishers led to the formation of a separate Paika caste.^[10]

The Paikas (Paikos) started an armed rebellion ( Paika Rebellion or Paika Bidroha ) against the British East India Companys rule in Odisha in 1817.^[11][12]

The Paikos are included under Other Backward Class list in the state of Odisha.^{[citation needed]}