Paika (community)
The Paik or Paika is a Militia community, found in Odisha state of India.
Origin
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 and Chasa communities.Separate Caste
The Caste based consensus introduced by the Britishers led to the formation of a separate Paika caste.