Question

Who were the lathiyals?

Answer 1

muscle hired by indigo planters in Bengal to terrorize peasants who did all the work on the indigo plantations when these peasants refused to work,due to harsh conditions,during the Indigo Revolt of 1859. The name comes from the lathi,a long heavy cane used by the lathiyals to beat the peasants

Answer 2

Men who hold lathi or 'lathi-wielding' men owned by the indigo planters were known as the 'Lathiyals'. These Lathiyals were employed by the indigo planters to terrorize peasants who in the lack of proper working conditions denied working on the field during the Indigo Revolt (1859). These Lathiyals used to beat the peasants with their stick or lathi.