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

23. सिंचाई में काम आने वाला 'अरघट्टा' नामक उपकरण क्या था?

(a) एक पिरनी (पुली) से खींचा जाने वाला चमड़े का बना पानी का थैला
(b) एक बड़ा चक्का, जिसकी अराओं (स्पोक्स) के बाहरी छोरों पर मिट्टी के पात्र बंधे हों
(c) बैलों के द्वारा खींचा जाने वाला मिट्टी का एक अधिक बड़ा पात्र
(d) सीधे हाथों से ही रस्सी द्वारा खींचा जाने वाला बड़ा जल-डोल (वॉटर बकेट)

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• The allusion to araghattas in the Rajatarangini, mentioned above, occurs in the context of the diversion of river waters.
• There are also specific references to araghatttas set up on wells elsewhere in the text (Rajatarangini, I.284, VI.48).
• These associations of the araghatta with surface water (river) and water at a depth (well) represent the first two stages of the three-stage history of the device that is generally called Persian wheel or Rahat in Hindi (derived from araghatta or arahatta).
• In the first stage pots were attached to the rim of a wheel that was set up on a source of surface water; as the wheel was rotated, the pots took in and poured out water in continuous succession.
• This was the first stage of the device that is called ‘noria’ in English.