Explanation:

The term used by Indo-Persian sources to refer to peasants is Raiyat.

Meaning of Raiyat:
Raiyat is derived from the Persian word "rai" which means cultivated land or a farm. In the context of Indo-Persian sources, raiyat refers to the peasants or agricultural laborers who worked on the lands owned by the nobility or the ruling class.

Role of Peasants in Indo-Persian Society:
Peasants played a crucial role in the agrarian society of the Indo-Persian region. They were the backbone of the agricultural economy and their labor was vital for the production of food crops. The peasants were responsible for tilling the land, sowing seeds, and harvesting the crops. They worked long hours in the fields and were often subjected to the exploitative practices of the landowners.

Raiyat as a Social Class:
Raiyats formed a distinct social class in Indo-Persian society. They were considered lower in the social hierarchy compared to the landowners and the nobility. The peasants were often impoverished and lived in simple dwellings in rural areas. They had limited rights and were heavily dependent on the landowners for their livelihood.

Relationship with Landowners:
The relationship between the raiyats and the landowners was characterized by a feudal system. The landowners, who were usually the aristocracy or the ruling class, owned large tracts of land. They would grant the peasants the right to cultivate the land in exchange for a portion of the agricultural produce as rent or taxes. The raiyats were bound to the land and were not allowed to leave without the permission of the landowner.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the term used by Indo-Persian sources to refer to peasants is raiyat. The raiyats were the agricultural laborers who worked on the lands owned by the nobility or the ruling class. They played a vital role in the agrarian economy and formed a distinct social class in Indo-Persian society. The relationship between the raiyats and the landowners was characterized by a feudal system.

Raiyats