The irrigation device called ‘Araghatta’ was  

  • A water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley   
  • A large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes   
  • A larger earthen pot driven by bullocks   
  • 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   

  • The ‘ara-ghatta’ originates from the blend of the words “ara” which means talked, and “ghatta” which means pot. There is confirmation to contend that this arrangement of lifting water from open wells was presumably designed in India of the past.
araghatta irrigation device upsc
Comparison with Persian Wheel Saqiyah and Noria
  • Araghatta vs Persian Wheel (Saqiyah): While often equated with the Persian wheel in exam explanations, the early Indian Araghatta had distinct developmental features. The later Persian wheel — known as saqiyah — became widespread across West Asia and eventually in India, typically employing gears and animal power more systematically. The Persian wheel typically used advanced gear mechanisms, while the Araghatta remained simpler in construction.
  • Araghatta vs Noria: The noria is a water-lifting device powered by flowing water — often a river or stream — unlike the Araghatta, which relied on external power sources (human or animal).