The Paik or Paika (Odia:à ¬ªà ¬¾à ¬Âà ¬Â) is a Militia community, found in Odisha state of India.
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.
Separate Caste
The Caste based consensus introduced by the Britishers led to the formation of a separate Paika caste.
The Paikas (Paikos) started an armed rebellion ( Paika Rebellion or Paika Bidroha ) against the British East India Companys rule in Odisha in 1817.
The Paikos are included under Other Backward Class list in the state of Odisha.