Introduction:
During the Mughal period in India, Indo-Persian sources frequently used specific terms to denote peasants. One of the commonly used terms was "raiyat."

Explanation:
1. Definition of Raiyat:
- The term "raiyat" refers to a peasant or cultivator of land. It is derived from the Persian word "rai," which means cultivation or farming.
- In the context of Indo-Persian sources of the Mughal period, "raiyat" specifically described the agricultural workforce or the rural peasantry.

2. Importance of Peasantry:
- The peasantry played a crucial role in the agrarian economy of the Mughal Empire. They were the backbone of agricultural production, cultivating the land and providing food and resources for the empire.
- Peasants were responsible for various farming activities, including sowing seeds, tending crops, and harvesting.

3. Use of Terms:
- Indo-Persian sources of the Mughal period frequently used the term "raiyat" to refer to peasants because it was a widely recognized and understood term.
- This term was used in various documents, including administrative records, revenue reports, and historical accounts, to describe the rural population engaged in agricultural activities.

4. Other Terms:
- While "raiyat" was the most commonly used term, there were other terms as well that were occasionally used in Indo-Persian sources to denote peasants:
- a) "do-fasla" referred to peasants who cultivated their lands twice a year, during both the rainy and winter seasons.
- b) "khud-kashta" described peasants who owned and cultivated their own lands.
- c) "pahi-kashta" denoted peasants who worked as sharecroppers, cultivating land owned by others.

Conclusion:
During the Mughal period, Indo-Persian sources frequently used the term "raiyat" to denote peasants. This term was widely recognized and understood as it described the agricultural workforce and rural peasantry. Other terms such as "do-fasla," "khud-kashta," and "pahi-kashta" were also occasionally used to describe specific types of peasants. Understanding these terms helps in comprehending the socio-economic structure and administrative records of the Mughal Empire.