[1][2] During the rule of the Delhi Sultanate, Paik were foot soldiers used in offensive and defensive combat.
They were specialised in archery.The skilled archers from Bengal, known as the Paiks, were highly sought after and given priority during recruitment.Paiks salary was fixed.
[1] The official record of Aurangzeb state that the king of Assam, Rudra Singha collected around 4 lakh Paik to fight with Bengal in 1714.
Paik were engaged in building embarkment, clearing forest, construction of roads, houses, royal palace and employed as soldiers.
[3] In Odisha, Paik were foot soldiers employed by kings until British rule.