‖ rayat
(ˈraɪət)
Also rayet, rai(y)at.
[Indo-Pers. var. of prec.: see ryot.]
A cultivator of the soil; a peasant.
| 1818 in Gleig Life Sir T. Munro (1830) II. 278 Every rayet should be at liberty to cultivate as much or as little as he pleases. 1844 J. Tomlin Miss. Jrnls. 99 A small dry patch of ground had just been cleared by the rayats. 1896 Sat. Rev. 18 Apr. 389/2 The murder of a raiyat was a matter of easy settlement. |