🌾 Q. 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
✅ Correct Answer: (B)
The irrigation device called Araghatta (also known as Ghanti Yantra or Persian Wheel) was a mechanical water-lifting device. It consisted of a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer rim, which revolved to lift water from wells or reservoirs for irrigation.
🧠 Understanding the Concept of Araghatta
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Araghatta / Arahatta / Ghanti-Yantra / Persian Wheel |
| Basic Structure | A large wheel with clay pots (pitchers) tied around its rim |
| Function | Lifting water from wells or tanks for irrigation |
| Power Source | Usually driven by bullocks or manual labor |
| Mechanism | As the wheel turned, pots dipped into water, filled up, and emptied into channels above |
| Historical Use | Widely used in Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire |
| Regions | Punjab, Sindh, Kashmir, parts of Central India |
| Cultural Influence | Combination of Indian innovation and Persian (Arab) mechanical diffusion |
⚙️ How the Araghatta Worked – Simplified
- A wheel was mounted horizontally or vertically near a well or reservoir.
- Pots or pitchers were tied along its rim.
- The rotation (driven by bullocks or manual force) dipped these pots into water.
- As the wheel turned, filled pots rose up and emptied into an irrigation channel.
- The continuous rotation maintained a steady flow of water for agricultural fields.
📜 Historical Context
- The Araghatta has roots as early as the 8th century CE, used in Kashmir under King Lalitaditya.
- By the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal period, it had evolved into the Persian wheel (saqia) design.
- It enabled large-scale irrigation across North India and supported the agrarian economy.
- The Mughals encouraged its adoption by funding irrigation infrastructure to enhance agricultural output.
- Babur’s memoir Baburnama even mentions such devices in Punjab and Sindh.
🔧 Other Medieval Indian Water-Lifting Devices
| Device | Mechanism | Description | Water Depth Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadoof (Dhenkli) | Lever-based | A counterpoised beam lifts water manually | Shallow |
| Charasa | Rope and bullock | A bucket pulled by bullocks | Medium |
| Araghatta (Ghanti Yantra) | Wheel with pots | Continuous water-lifting device | Deep |
| Saqia / Persian Wheel | Geared wheel system | Mechanized Araghatta version | Deep & Continuous |
🪶 Mnemonic to Remember Water-Lifting Devices
“Small Children Always Sing” 🎵
S – Shadoof → Lever
C – Charasa → Bullock + Rope
A – Araghatta → Wheel with Pots
S – Saqia → Persian Wheel (Advanced)
💡 Significance of the Araghatta
- Agricultural Boost: Increased irrigated area and crop yields.
- Technological Innovation: Represented a blend of indigenous engineering and Persian influence.
- Economic Growth: Supported agrarian-based economies of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughals.
- Cultural Exchange: A reflection of Indo-Persian technological diffusion.
- Continuity: The design principles continued into the British period with minor improvements.
Also See: Economics Prelims PYQs
🧩 Comparison: Araghatta vs Persian Wheel (Saqia)
| Feature | Araghatta | Persian Wheel (Saqia) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Indigenous Indian device | Introduced from Persia |
| Mechanism | Simple wheel with pots | Gear-driven wheel system |
| Motion Conversion | No gearing mechanism | Converts horizontal to vertical motion |
| Period | Early Medieval India | Post-14th century India |
| Efficiency | Moderate | High (continuous flow) |
| Use | Wells and reservoirs | Deep wells and canals |
🧠 Two Practice Questions for UPSC Prelims on Medieval Irrigation Devices
Q1. Which of the following statements about the Araghatta is/are correct?
- It was also known as Ghanti Yantra.
- It used a series of pots attached to a wheel for lifting water.
- It was primarily used for textile spinning.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only ✅
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Also See: Non Cooperation Programme: UPSC Prelims 2025 PYQ Solved
Q2. The Araghatta or Persian wheel was an important innovation because it—
(a) Facilitated textile weaving
(b) Enhanced irrigation efficiency in agriculture ✅
(c) Helped in military defense
(d) Was used for measuring land
Also See: Raja Ram Mohan Roy: UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ 2025 Solved
❓ FAQs on Araghatta
Q1. What is the meaning of the word ‘Araghatta’?
It comes from Sanskrit — Ara (spoke) and Ghatta (pot) — literally meaning “a wheel with pots”.
Q2. Was the Araghatta an Indian or Persian invention?
It originated in India but later incorporated Persian mechanical refinements (gears), forming the Persian Wheel (Saqia).
Q3. What was the advantage of the Araghatta over manual water lifting?
It enabled continuous water flow and reduced labor intensity, allowing larger areas to be irrigated.
Q4. Was the Araghatta used only for agriculture?
Mainly yes, but it was also used for gardens, palace water systems, and public wells.
Q5. What does the adoption of Araghatta tell us about medieval India?
It highlights technological progress, agricultural development, and cultural interactions between India and Persia.
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