The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was

Question

The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was

1. A. a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
2. B. a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes (Correct answer)
3. C. a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
4. D. a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand

Correct Answer

Option B — a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes.

Key Points

• a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes.
• Explanation: The Araghatta was an ancient Indian irrigation device: a large wheel fitted with earthen pots attached to the ends of its spokes.
• As the wheel turned, the pots dipped into the well, filled with water, and emptied into a channel at the top.
• The name describes the device itself — "ara" means spoke and "ghatta" means pot.
• Why the other options are wrong: A leather water bag pulled over a pulley describes the charas or mot, not the araghatta.
• The remaining options do not correspond to any wheel-and-pot mechanism.

Additional Information

• The araghatta is the Indian precursor of what is popularly called the Persian wheel (rahat).
• It is referred to in texts such as the Panchatantra and the Rajatarangini, and it was a major advance because it allowed continuous lifting of water from deep wells.