UPSC Prelims 2025 Q13: Ancient History – Science & Technology
- (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
Answer: (b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
Explanation
Araghatta - Ancient Indian Irrigation Device
Araghatta - Mechanism and Context:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Persian wheel-type rotating device with earthen pots on its rim |
| Power source | Bullocks (draft animals) turning the wheel |
| How it works | Pots dip into water source, fill up, rotate to top, empty into irrigation channels |
| Textual mention | Arthashastra by Kautilya - evidence of state-managed irrigation |
| Purpose | Lift water from wells or rivers to irrigate fields at higher elevation |
The Araghatta was a large rotating wheel with earthen pots tied to its outer spokes or rim.
As bullocks (draft animals) turned the wheel, pots dipped into a water source, filled up, rose to the top, and emptied into irrigation channels.
This Persian wheel-type mechanism lifted water from wells or rivers to irrigate fields at higher elevation.
Historical context: Mentioned in Arthashastra by Kautilya.
Represents sophisticated hydraulic engineering in ancient India - demonstrating that large-scale irrigation was a managed state activity, not just monsoon-dependent.
Answer: (b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Araghatta is not a simple hand-operated pump. It is a large wheel mechanism powered by draft animals — specifically bullocks.
- (b) CORRECT. Araghatta was indeed a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes, rotated by bullocks to lift water for irrigation.
- (c) Incorrect. Araghatta is not a canal diversion structure. It is a water-lifting device, not a diversion or embankment system.
- (d) Incorrect. Araghatta is not a simple hand-operated device. It is a bullock-powered wheel mechanism designed for continuous water lifting at scale.
Key point
Araghatta = bullock-powered rotating wheel with earthen pots on spokes — ancient Indian lift irrigation device. Mentioned in Arthashastra.
Remember
Araghatta = ancient bullock-powered wheel with earthen pots on spokes — for lifting irrigation water.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Araghatta with other irrigation methods. It is specifically a wheel with pots (similar to a Persian wheel) — not a canal, dam, or hand pump.
- Not knowing it was bullock-powered — the rotational energy came from draft animals, making it efficient for continuous irrigation.
- Forgetting that ancient India had sophisticated hydraulic technology — Araghatta is evidence of state-managed irrigation systems under Mauryan and later periods.
Exam tip
Araghatta = Persian wheel equivalent in ancient India. Think: rotating wheel + earthen pots + bullocks = water lifted from well/river to field. Arthashastra mentions it as a state-regulated irrigation device.
Sources
- NCERT Class 11 History - Themes in Indian History Part I
- Ancient Indian irrigation technology references