📘 Question (IAS Prelims 2025 | GS-I)

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 large earthen pot driven by bullocks
(d) a large water bucket pulled up directly by hand using a rope

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✅ Correct Answer

(b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes

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🎯 Theme of the Question

Ancient Indian irrigation technology and agricultural practices

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

Through this question, UPSC evaluates a candidate’s understanding of technological innovation in ancient Indian agriculture, particularly methods used to lift water from wells for irrigation. Such questions are not about memorising terminology alone, but about recognising how technology sustained agrarian economies in early India.

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💧 What is Araghatta?

Araghatta was an advanced water-lifting device used in ancient India.

The term is derived from two Sanskrit roots:

• Ara – spoke
• Ghatta – pot

Thus, Araghatta literally refers to a wheel fitted with pots.

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⚙️ Structure and Working of Araghatta

The Araghatta consisted of:

• A large vertical wheel
• Earthen pots fixed around the rim or on the spokes

As the wheel rotated:

• Pots at the lower end filled with water from the well
• Pots at the upper end emptied water into a channel

This mechanism allowed continuous and efficient lifting of water, unlike manual bucket systems.

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🌾 Significance in Ancient India

Historical and archaeological evidence suggests that:

• Araghatta was indigenously developed in ancient India
• It was widely used for:
  • Irrigating agricultural fields
  • Drawing water from open wells
  • Reducing dependence on manual labour

It reflects the technological sophistication of ancient Indian agrarian society and its understanding of mechanical advantage.

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❌ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

(a) Leather water bag with pulley
This represents a different irrigation method, not Araghatta.

(c) Large pot driven by bullocks
This resembles later mechanical irrigation systems, not the wheel-and-pot structure of Araghatta.

(d) Hand-pulled bucket
This is a simple manual technique without any mechanical wheel.

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📝 Examination Relevance

UPSC uses such questions to test:

• Understanding of ancient technology
• Linkages between:
  • Agriculture
  • Economy
  • Resource management

These questions often integrate Ancient History, Geography, and economic life.

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🧩 One-Line Ready Recall

Araghatta = a large wheel fitted with earthen pots for continuous irrigation in ancient India