A film society in Delhi screens a famous film by Satyajit Ray on the decline of the aristocratic zamindari style of living. The film was shot in the ruins of an old palace of a Bengal zamindar family. In one scene, an outsider who has bought a zamindari estate at an auction sends his agent to take possession. The agent is attacked by the former zamindar's strongmen and driven out of the village, and the ryots refuse to accept the new owner.
What were such strongmen of the zamindar called?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Lathyals
Option (1) Amlah — Incorrect. The amlah was the zamindar's officer who went to the village to collect rent. His work was revenue collection, so he does not fit the men who drove out the buyer's agent.
Option (2) Jotedars — Incorrect. Jotedars were rich peasants who controlled large areas of land and many villagers. They were often rivals of the zamindar and weakened his power.
Option (3) Lathyals — Correct. A lathyal, literally one who wields the lathi or stick, was a strongman of the zamindar. Lathyals attacked the agents of outside buyers, so zamindars were not easily displaced.
Option (4) Mandals — Incorrect. Mandals was one of the local names for the rich peasants also called jotedars. These were village landholders with their own power over ryots.
NCERT (2026-27): “1.5 The zamindars resist … “Lathyal, literally one who wields the lathi or stick, functioned as a strongman of the zamindar.” |