📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.13 | Classroom Explanation

(Ancient History)

📌 Question

Q.13) The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was

(a) a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
(b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
(c) a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
(d) a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand

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✅ Correct Answer: (b)

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests knowledge of ancient Indian irrigation technology, an important aspect of economic life and technological advancement in ancient India.

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🔍 Key Concept: Araghatta

• Araghatta was a mechanical device used to lift water from wells, tanks, and rivers
• The term is derived from:

• ‘Ara’ → spoke
• ‘Ghatta’ → pot

• Structure and working:

• A large rotating wheel
• Earthen pots fixed to the spokes
• As the wheel rotated, pots dipped into water, filled up, and emptied water into a channel at the top

• It represents an early form of water-wheel technology, showing practical knowledge of mechanics in ancient India

➡️ Hence, option (b) is correct.

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🧮 Logical Elimination (UPSC Style)

• Option (a): Describes moat/dhenkli-type device → not Araghatta
• Option (c): Bullock-driven pot → closer to Persian wheel (later period)
• Option (d): Manual rope-and-bucket → simplest form, not Araghatta

➡️ Only option (b) matches the description of Araghatta.

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🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (b)

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📦 Info Box — Extra Points (Prelims Value Add)

• Araghatta is mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts and inscriptions
• Used widely for irrigation in agrarian economies
• Considered a precursor to the Persian wheel (Rahat) introduced later
• Demonstrates:

• Indigenous technological innovation
• Efficient water management in ancient India

• Similar traditional devices:

• Dhenkli (lever system)
• Moat (pulley-based leather bag)

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🔗 Bridge Points (Future Questions)

• Irrigation methods in ancient India
• Economic life under Mauryas and post-Mauryas
• Continuity of indigenous technologies into medieval India

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📍 GS Mapping

GS Paper I
Subject: Ancient History
Theme: Economic Life & Technology
Nature: Static Conceptual

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