Bicentenary of Paika Rebellion: Odisha seeks Buxi Jagabandhu Express train

Bhubaneswar, March 31 : With Odisha commemorating the bicentenary of the Paika Rebellion this year, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday requested the Centre to introduce a new AC express train in the name of Buxi Jagabandhu, who led the rebellion against the British in 1817.

In a letter to Railway minister Suresh Prabhu, the Chief Minister said introduction of 'Buxi Jagabandhu Express' train will be a fitting tribute from the Railways to the iconic leader as well as the monumental event of Odisha. 

Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mohapatra was the commander of the forces of the king of Khurdha. Paikas, the traditional landed militia of Odisha, fought relentlessly against the British in 1817 much before the First War of Independence in 1857. 

"In view of the historic significance of the bicentenary of the Paika Rebellion, I would like to convey the feelings of Odia people to commemorate his contribution to our Odia history by introducing a Humsafar type new AC express train from Khurdha road station, the epicentre of the rebellion, to the maximum city of Mumbai," said the Chief Minister.